Chapter 2: Birthday Surprises

Today is December 5, my fifteenth birthday. I have never had much fun with those. It seems every year as a gift, God decides to give me another centimeter in the bust, not exactly what I had asked for. I've been told I'm a 'looker', with my shoulder-length blonde hair, brown eyes and a nice figure (relatively speaking of course). Ugh, I hate that. Especially when the people telling me that are women.

This morning my mother skipped work and went to P.T.'s Bar & Grill. Not even a "Happy birthday, Kim," or "Isn't there something to do with your bra today?". I didn't really expect it, though. Tuesday, December 5. So I head off to school, barely catching the bus. I sit in the back, everyday, and everyday all three kids back there clear out for me. But today was different. They all cleared out, except one. He sat there, hunched over, under the weight of his backpack, staring at his hands. It rubbed me a bit, but I ignore him. He's new, he obviously doesn't know who I am. I find myself staring at his hair. His messy, carefree, red hair is shining in the light, how come mine isn't? Oh, yes, mother forgot about work so very little water left. It's official- I live in a shit hole. Well, anyways, the whole frickin' bus is looking back at the idiot who won't move. The bus hits a bump and my backpack's (I actually brought one today- needed more paper) contents spill all across the floor of the bus. No one moves, but the new kid looks up. He looks at my papers then at me. Then he takes his own bag off, setting it on the seat, gets down on his hands and knees and starts to gather up my stuff! I sit in my seat, unsure of what to do. So I get down and gather it up too. He gathered most of the papers; I get the rest. Then, I stand up and stuff the paper I gathered into my bag. And as if it were an omen, he holds out the neat stack of papers to me and smiles at me- he was on one knee! I snatch them away from him and pack them away. Then I plop into my seat, giving a cold look to the idiots who had their heads turned to me. The boy sits uncomfortably close- as if we were best friends or something- and says in a cheery tone,

"Hi! My name's Pippin Hadyus, you can call me Pip, what's yours?"

He sticks out his hand to shake. What the hell? No one ever does this! Maybe in movies, but... hello! I take a deep breath. I can't even remember the last time I shook someone's hand. And 'Pippin'? Honestly, who names their kid that? I'd string myself up if I were named Pippin. And Pip? Like that's much better.

"Kim, Pip."

I look back in his direction and see his beautiful green eyes. I don't know what comes over me but I shake his hand and have the stupidest look on my face- I'm sure. But I can't help but stare into those rich jade eyes. I look down as his hand totally envelopes mine.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kim."

I mumble back, "Yeah..."

Now, you must realize, I am not a people person. Most of the people on my bus, especially Rick Tether, fear me, and think I'm incapable of speaking. I usually give cold glares instead of speak. So to see me talk to someone, let alone shake their hand is either a sign of the apocalypse or a sign from God. When Pip released my hand, I just felt so vulnerable, so what do I do? I whip my hand into my pocket. Yeah. It makes me look like I'm ashamed of touching the flesh of another human being. I probably looked like a kindergartener! Ugh!

"I'm new at Farnum High. Would you mind showing me around, Kim?"

The bus suddenly explodes into whispers. I sit, frozen. What the hell? Why is this guy...?

"...W-whatever..."

He smiles. The whispers become louder.

"Great!"

Then he goes on. He talks and talks, about his old school, his hobbies, his childhood... blah, blah, blah. Does this 'Pip' guy ever shut up? Rick Tether glances at me. I am so confused I just stare back. Then, oh god- I don't even glare, he licks his lips. Ew! I mean, like, just gross! My eyes just widened. Then he flashes a smile. Gross! I realize he was testing me, but still, gross! He turns to his gal pal and whispers something. She bursts into giggles. Shit! I look so stupid! I furrow my brow. This is all 'Pip's' fault! Sigh. Today isn't normal. Normal is: nobody talks to me, nobody bothers me. Sigh...

"Are you alright, Kim?"

Pip leans in. Those big green eyes! Damn them to Hell! I can't believe I am like this!

"...Y-yeah... just dandy..."

I look left avoiding his gaze. Get this. He pulls my hair back to look me in the eyes. My face is getting warm now. I think I'm blushing, but I don't know 'cause I've never blushed before. Especially over a guy.

"Your cheeks are flushed. Do you feel okay?"

"F-fine..."

"Are you sure?"

I can only nod. He withdraws his hand and puts the straps of his bag over his shoulders. I look down to my torn up hand-me-down boots. The ones I got from the coach's daughter, who's now, like, thirty. He seems concerned for me. This is so weird. He's already penetrated my barrier, in these few moments. He's not normal. No one makes me angry, embarrassed, nervous, or... angry! No one! He makes me feel uneasy. I risk a glance over at his face. His brow is furrowed and he has his hand on his forehead. He's gritting his teeth with his eyes shut tight. He seems to growl- low and soft, but still a growl. He's scary! What a creep. The bus stops, thank god. I grab my bag and run out of the god-forsaken bus. I run into the school and zip to my first class. I tuck into the back row of desks and, seriously, pray that Pip and I don't have any of the same classes.