Last Stop

A/N: Whoa, am I updating again? I mean . . . Wow . . . I'm scaring myself. I don't usually update so fast. Oh well, I guess it's good for all of us then, eh? The only thing I changed in the last chapter . . . was the orphange is now called 'Fassa Foundation'. Oh yes, and I was so happy, I got nine reviews -sobs-. That ties my old record. Whee, I wonder if I can break it? o.O Well, because I like to interact with all you wonderful reviewers, I'm doing review replies. They're at the end of the chapter.

Enjoy!

Chapter Two: 'Friends?'

The sun came out the next day, but signs of yesterdays inundation remained. There wasn't a street without a puddle; wasn't a patch of grass that wasn't completely saturated; wasn't a dry leaf on any tree. Yet these things only made the sun seem all the more glorious, its rays sparkling off every droplet of water. And, being just a few weeks before summer's official end, its heat was intense. However, it was a warmth that everyone welcomed with a smile after yesterdays rain, enjoying it for all it was worth.

Everyone except me, that is.

There were more people out than yesterday, in vehicles and on foot, causing more delays than rain ever does. If it isn't slippery roads, it's sun glare, rush hour traffic, and pedestrians. Throughout that day, I had to deal with all of those things, including some still slippery patches. Oh joy . . .

I ran a hand through my hair and let out a deep sigh. I began to ponder whether that day had been worse than the first or not. More passengers had boarded than the day before, creating more hustle and bustle and conversation. And they weren't even interesting conversations either; just normal, dull ones. Eventually I tuned everything out to become only buzzing background noise. Even still, it annoyed me.

With the suns blistering heat, there also came the pesky realization that bus air conditioners really, to be blunt, suck! If I didn't have that one little fan that sat up in the corner all to myself, I wouldn't be here right now. So what if my shirt was light, it still had long sleeves! With pants! And that goddamn itchy tie that I just wanted to rip off and put through a shredder . . . Okay, so the tie didn't really contribute to the heat, but it still created displeasure.

So far, I was dreading my day far worse than the day before. But I had no right to determine that yet, seeing as how my route wasn't complete, and the college stop, her stop, was still a few minutes away.

As I closed the doors to the stop just before Hitomi's, I began to reflect upon what happened the day before. It was odd for me, and an interestingly stressing first days work. To think, if I had just pretended like I'd never seen her and driven away, none of the aftermath would have happened. Normally, I don't think I would've done something like that. Yet no matter how impatient I was, something compelled me to remain and wait for her. I couldn't figure out.

My grip tightened on the steering wheel. And if I hadn't waited for her, I thought bitterly, I would've escaped without a lost battle, without the stress, and most off all . . .

Without the haunting memories.

I saw the college building clearly now in the distance. Now I began to wonder if she would even be there today. Maybe she only volunteered at the orphanage once a week. On Monday's . . . I began to highly doubt it. She seemed like the type of caring person who would do it more on a basis of Monday through Friday; or better yet, whenever she could.

The brakes made a light, high-pitched squeaking noise as they brought the bus to a stop. Reaching over for the lever to open the doors, I saw a small clump of college students huddling in the shade. None of them appeared to be Hitomi. When the doors opened, all of them hopped on, dropping their tokens into the machine as they passed. This time, I caught their glances. Instant smugness spread across half of their faces. I kept my jaw firm, but couldn't control the slitting of my eyes.

Then suddenly she was there. I guess I was too busy cursing out all of the other college students that I didn't notice her creep on board. My eyes widened as I had a sharp intake of breath. There was no yellow poncho today, no jeans; just a plain white t-shirt and navy blue shorts. Really short shorts, might I add . . . I mentally berated myself. It was very wrong of me to look at her that way. Very, very wrong.

When I looked up at her face I was greeted with a warm smile. It was to be expected. Of course, I still didn't smile back.

"Hello, Van," she greeted me cheerfully.

After a moment's hesitation, I decided to show some decency. "Hi . . ." I muttered. Why couldn't she be like everyone else; just drop her tokens silently and find a seat?

I soon learned the reason why; she wanted me to see her next action. Out of her pocket, I watched as she pulled out her bus token. But it wasn't just one token; there were two in her hand. She placed both of them in the machine, one at a time. After the last beep, she turned back to me. A look of confusion adorned my features.

"For yesterday," she whispered as she began to walk down the aisle to her seat. Saying I was astonished was an understatement. In the rear view mirror, I watched her sit in an empty seat next to an old man. I just couldn't believe it. She said she would pay me back, and she actually had. Aren't these things usually just empty promises? Just amazing . . .

In a daze, I closed the door and drove away.

Like the day before, Hitomi was the only kind person going to the orphanage. Again, I found myself cursing how far out of my route the stop was. Again, she was sitting up front in the seat opposite me. Again, I found myself unconsciously glancing at her. Again, I found that everything about her was flawless. Again, she seemed to radiate pure innocence. Again, I tried to avoid talking to her.

Again, I did not succeed.

"How are you today, Van?" she asked sweetly. Maybe she just didn't like silence . . .

"Fine," I replied dryly.

This wasn't good enough for her, apparently, as she continued to make conversation. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" At a stop light, the bus rolled slowly to a stop. My face darkened. I knew I was supposed to say something along the lines of, 'Yes, it's a wonderful day. I wish I wasn't stuck on a bus.', but that just wasn't how I felt. There was no joke, I really hated every beautiful day.

I turned to look at her face to face for a moment, before simply saying, "No."

For a second her eyes saddened before she quickly diverted her gaze to staring out the window across from her. I turned to face the road again. I could've sworn she'd slouched a little, but she quickly regained her form. She sat quietly now. I began to wonder if I'd finally succeeded in rendering her speechless.

Then again, I should have known it wasn't that easy, for she continued a few moments later. "The sun is all the more beautiful after a rainstorm. It glitters off the damp leaves like sparkles. It casts light over the world. Everyone seems so carefree under the sun . . ." I glanced at her when she trailed off. She was staring at some kids playing basketball. When we passed, she continued. "And the sun is so warm, especially since it's almost summers end. I feel happy when it is sunny. . . ." (Weren't all of those the observations I made earlier?)

I snorted. I could've dropped this conversation, but something kept compelling me to go on. "Humph, I don't feel that way about the sun. I fail to see what's so great about it." It was the first time I used full sentences when speaking to her. (Then again, it was the first time I'd used full sentences for awhile.)

"Then what do you find fascinating about the rain?" she asked quietly. My eyes widened in surprise. I hadn't said anything about liking the rain. Yet, she knew. But how? Was I really that pathetic? Or was she a mind reader?

I decided not to answer her question. I'd dug myself a nice, deep hole, and I was sure I would only make it deeper if I tried to explain. So instead, I decided to sit in my hole pathetically and make no attempt to climb the impossible walls, discarding my shovel in the process.

In the distance, the orphanage was coming into view. In the sun, the building and fence looked even more ominous than when surrounded by mist and clouds. A few dark locks covered my eyes as they hardened. There were reasons for liking the rain instead of the sun beyond that fact that it reminded me of the coldness I felt in my heart.

"The sun may intensify beauty, but it also brings out the defiled," I said quietly. "Just as light can not exist without darkness, beauty can not exist without ugliness."

The bus rolled to a stop at a light just before the orphanage. She said nothing. I turned to stare at her intensely. For once, I wanted her to reply. I wanted to see how witty a comeback she could create. But none came. There was no smile upon her face, no cheerfulness in her eyes. She'd even begun to really slouch a little. With the clothes she was wearing and the look on her face, she looked like an overgrown toddler who'd just been told there was no such thing as Santa Clause. For some reason, this saddened me. I already made my life miserable, why should I make another?

The light changed, and the bus lurched to a slow start. By the time it picked up full speed, I was slowing it down again for the last stop that day. My hand reached out for the lever, when her quiet voice made me flinch.

"You're right . . ."

Somehow, that hurt even more.

With a surge of energy, my hand grabbed the lever tightly before swinging open the door. I watched her stand up slowly, hands down at her sides. I had to say something to make her smile again.

"Hitomi," I said softly. "Thank you for paying your fare from yesterday. I didn't expect you to do that."

As I had hoped, a small smile spread across her face. As she reached the bottom step, she said, "It was the right thing to do. See you tomorrow, Van."

"Yes, see you tomorrow . . ." I said, before closing the door and driving away.

Wednesday and Thursday happened in similar fashion; Hitomi started a conversation, I tried, without succeeding, not to talk with her and in the end was berated and filled with guilt. I was beginning to really loath this job. Then again, I'd always loathed the job, so was there really a difference?

But Friday hit me like a bolt of lightning, altering the beat of my heart.

When she boarded that day, she greeted me cheerfully, just like always. I gave her my standard grunt or a mumbled 'hi' in acknowledgment. Then she would go sit in some random seat, which I noted was usually away from all the other college students. Being me, I didn't say anything about this. It was just a meaningless observation in my mind.

Of course, we were left alone, again. I was getting used to it by then. I had to. She rode throughout the week. She talked to me everyday. There was no way to escape, so I just accepted it. (Or, at least, I was dealing with it. 'Accepting' might be the wrong word for it.)

"So, how are you today, Van?" she asked. This question was beginning to sicken me greatly.

"Fine," I replied like every other day.

"Do anything fun yesterday?" This was a new question that surprised me. I glanced at her as we approached a stop light.

"No," I replied flatly. After my little outburst a few days ago, I was back to fragment sentences.

"Didn't you talk to any of your friends or hang out?" she asked. A bead of sweat formed at my brow. These questions, as well as I, were treading across dangerous water. It was just like the beautiful day question; I knew what I was suppose to say, but couldn't say it. The compulsion was driving me again, and in doing so I was sinking into a bottomless lake, starving for air.

"I don't have any friends," The coldness in my voice was from the icy chill of the water that I was drowning in. Why did she keep doing this to me!

She made no reply.

The bead of sweat trickled down my cheek to my chin, where it hung for a few seconds before splattering onto my tie. My hair was a mess; dark strands clouding my eyesight, while other strands sticking to the sides of my sweaty face. I hated it. I hated myself. I hated my life. I hated the world. Hate. An overused word, too strong for most situations it's used in. But this wasn't one of those situations. I hated everything, everybody . . .

"That can't be true . . ." Hitomi's voice broke my 'hateful' train of thought. I was surprised I hadn't crashed into anything from the blindness that rage causes. I slowed down at a stoplight and turned to face her. I hated the sadness on her face. There was that word again; hate. But it wasn't really hate . . . Like I said, hate was too strong a word . . . And not along the lines of what I really felt . . . But I couldn't describe the feeling; it was unfamiliar.

"But it is," I hissed angrily. My grip tightened on the steering wheel, while my foot tapped lightly on the gas pedal, playing with it. But the light stayed red. There was nothing in the world I wanted more than to disappear right then. Just disappear. And when the light changed, I was the first one out of the chutes.

"How can you not have any friends?"

"I just don't," I said quietly. It was wrong of me to take my rage out on Hitomi, even if she was the one who triggered it.

"I'm your friend," Hitomi whispered angelically, "so you can't say you have none."

My cheeks were blistering with heat. My heart was beating rapid fire in my chest, and I could feel my hands loosening their taut grip on the steering wheel. A lump formed in my throat. (Luckily, I somehow still managed to drive.) My brain was trying to come up with a response to her words, but all my thoughts were jumbled up into a heaping pile of gibberish. Nothing made sense. What was I suppose to say to that, anyway?

The orphanage was just ahead and yet I still could not think of anything to say. The blood was slowly draining out of my face; my breathing going back to its normal shallowness. My foot pressed down on the brake pedal, bringing the bus to a slothful stop in front of the Fassa Foundations' parking lot entrance. Hitomi was already standing up to be let off. But I, unknowingly, had different plans.

The bus began to turn into the weather-beaten parking lot; in my madness, I even managed to use the turn signal.

I guided the bus to one side of the lot where no cars were parked. Being the big lug that it was, I doubled parked my vehicle (it was more like a triple park, but oh well). There were a scarce few cars throughout the lot, and I knew there would be no more for today.

There never was.

"Van, what're you . . ." Hitomi began to ask as I opened the doors. Our eyes locked for a brief second; hers confused, mine hard.

"Ladies first."

To Be Continued . . .

A/N:

Vi3t BaBiI: Hello there readers of "Last Stop" by Spirit0. I am her very good friend and newly instated editor. beams proudly I took out all the kinks in this story to make you like it better. Spirit probably trying to chase me away from you guys with a broom But she wouldn't let me touch her 'again' paragraph. Oh well. You guys probably like it anyways P SoOoo… Talk to you in the next chapter... unless Spirit fires me )

Spirit0: I'm not one for firing people . Besides, you didn't change all that much, tehe (okay, you should've expected that I would suck with 'then' and 'than'). And brooms are tacky! I'd chase you with . . . A hockey stick!

Okay, now for the review replies!

The lady winged Knight- Lol, thanks. I'm glad I exceded expectations -. This chapter . . . Hm, I dunno, tell me what you thought! And again, thank you! (Oh no, I think I made it sadder, whoops, haha!)

Koriina- Wow, cute? That's not a word I frequently use in my vocabulary. (I'm like cute-hater person, I don't know, I so horrbie, eh? Smacks self Bad me!) Whee, was this chapter cute too? Hehe, thank you!

daisy31- You know, after you used the word 'interesting' everyone else got infected with it too. But I like it, 'interesting' is better than 'bad' or 'your story sucks!' Wow, it's amazing, I updated soon! (Might not be soon for you, but . . . I'm really bad with updates! XX) Tehe, I hope this chapter was interesting too! (Or something else that's not negetive!) Thanks!

Vi3T BaBiI- . . . Do I even have to do this one? Haha, oh well, I will anyways! You know my picket fence comment was the most awesome thing you ever heard! (Pft, not!) Yeah, I wouldn't consider Van being a bus driver either, but . . . I couldn't resist D! Oh, and now you're my number one fan, eh? Pish, just kidding! Thank you! (Even though I don't think you'll review since you already read the damn chapter! Haha!)

Inda- Look, I continued, it's amazing, whee! Tehe, thanks a lot!

FoxyFire- The wacky tenses, they are there (I know they are!) I just tried really hard to cover them up, hehe. And yes, I have a big convidence problem. Apparently I just suck and have no common sense what-so-ever. So yeah, I was going to give it to some else . . . But then Vi3T BaBiI was like: 'No, write it yourself!' Haha, she's about the only person who thinks I can do anything -. Whee, top ten, eh? Hm . . . I guess I could be ten (thousandth -). Haha, seriously, thanks, it made my day!

Carrie21- Um . . . is this considered soon? Cause it is in my book (I am the worst updated ever!) Yeah, this story shall be updated the most. But on Monday I start school, wah! I'm a Freshman in high school . . . Joy . . . But never fear, for some reason I can't resist writing this story . So I'll update! Thanks!

f-zelda- You didn't lose the story line yet, did you! (Please say no, it would make me feel better!) I hope this was soon enough . . . Cause I'm just a really bad updater XX! But thank you!

dreamingofflyingaway- Really, it was beautiful? Sobs That makes me feel special, haha. I hope this chapter was just as beatiful; thank you!

Yay, I'm done! It's so amazing! I'm sorry it's so short . . . But you didn't really want me to drag it out, did you? And I won't be rushing it anymore. Next chapter, you learn some new things about Van -. Ehehehe, it'll actually be semi-interesting!

But until then, I would be ever so greatful if you bestowed upon me a review!

Ugh, that sounded so proper, haha!

-Spirit0