Chapter Three

Later that same morning found me huddled in the back corner of the city bus, headed to nowhere. Resting my head on my knees, I contemplated my next move. The adrenaline of earlier this morning had long ago worn off. I was exhausted. I needed a shower and I needed to think. As much as I had thought out and prepared myself for leaving my house, I hadn't thought passed where I would actually end up.

What had I done.? I hadn't made any 'after' plans. I was so concerned with just getting out that I hadn't really taken care to firm up some very important details. You know, like where the heck I'm headed. I groaned internally, beating my forehead into my knees. This was just the sort of impulsive thing I would do, jumping into action without thinking about the consequences. Typical Sang. I wanted to kick myself.

Coming full circle on his route, the more than generous driver looked back at me through his rearview mirror. I could feel his eyes burning into me. Timidly, I met his gaze.

"It's the end of my shift, sweetie. I don't know if the next guy is going to let you ride around with him all day. Is there anywhere I can drop you off? There isn't anyone waiting for you at home?" Ha! Now that was funny. Someone waiting for me at home? I wish someone at home cared whether I was there or not.

"Can I ask you a question, Mark?" I'd gotten to know the man after driving around with him over the past several hours. "Shoot." was his blasé response.

"Where would you go, if you didn't know where to go?" Mark seemed to take my question seriously and I watched as his brow furrowed in thought. "Hmmmm…. Well, I suppose I'd go somewhere that could take me anywhere." My head snapped up, our eyes meeting, smiles breaking over both our faces in tandem. He was brilliant!

"So, I'll ask you again, Miss Sang is there anywhere I can drop you off?"

I smiled conspiratorially, "Definitely, but first… I need to make a quick stop."

Mark chuckled. "Your wish, is my command."

Twenty minutes later, after some sage advice from Mark and a heartfelt goodbye, I was stepping off the city bus and walking through the doors of a local superstore. There were a few things that I needed to pick up.

Several articles of clothing, a pair of sandals, a bright pink carry-on size suitcase, and an elaborate hygiene kit later I was making my way onto another of our city's finest public transportation. On my way to my new destination I shuffled all of my belongings into my new bag. I could honestly say that I was finally looking forward to my new future.

As the bus pulled away from the stop and headed north to the outskirts of the city, my heart started to pick up its pace. This was really happening. I was doing this. My life, from here on out would never be the same. I still didn't know where exactly I was headed but I had a direction, and that was the Charleston International Airport.

After stepping off the bus and walking through the doors of the airport, I was clueless as to what to do next. Though proud of getting myself this far, I was sorely disappointed that I suddenly seemed to be so incompetent. Okay Sang, time to put on your big girl panties. Hike those babies up, march your behind in there and make a decision. This is your life, grab the wheel and drive. Taking a deep breath for courage, I gripped my bag tighter and marched myself to the nearest customer line. By the looks of it, I had about eighteen or so people until I had to finalize my plans.

My musings were interrupted by a rambunctious group of guys that shoved their way into line behind me. Their banter and teasing made me smile. Because they were behind me, I couldn't outright stare but it was fun to listen to them interact with each other. It was obvious that they were close friends and that they cared for one another but were comfortable and secure enough in their relationships that they could joke and poke fun. It made me wonder what all I had been missing out on in my life. I didn't have friends, never really had any from the start. Having friends meant that I would have to force my way out of the shadows and that was not something I was comfortable with.

"Oy! Kota, Nathan! Over here!" One of the more exuberant of the bunch shouted across the airport waving his arms wildly, evidently locating a missing duo of their group. "Where in the hell have you guys been?" The stragglers joined their friends to a chorus of laughter and many hugs and fist bumps from the others. Though I wasn't even a member of their party, my face heated. More than a few people had turned to look at the rowdy assembly behind me and I was caught in the crosshairs. Luckily it was my turn at the counter and I was able to distance myself from the clamor.

Stepping in front of the smiling attendant, I steeled myself for what was about to happen. "Good morning. Can I have your ticket and ID please?" Gulp. Here goes nothing.

"Well, you see…." Her face faltered. "I haven't exactly got a ticket yet. Is that a problem?" My face flamed, signaling to the world my extreme embarrassment.

The attendant, I glanced at her nametag, Megan, cleared her throat. "No, that isn't a problem at all. Where are you headed?" I nearly released a nervous giggle with that question. "Ummm… I don't really know. Anywhere." I threw caution to the wind and decided to put my fate in her hands, or the hands of the airlines schedule rather. "What's the next departing flight? I don't care where it's headed." Megan stared at me a little slack-jawed for a minute. I'm sure trying to decide if I was being serious or not. When she realized I was being genuine, she started clicking away on her keyboard. Her eyes darted back and forth across the screen before they lifted and met me with a wary gaze.

"The next flight going out that I feel comfortable booking for you leaves in about eighty minutes. This gives you plenty of time to clear security and make it to the gate and maybe even give you enough time to grab something to eat. Does that sound ok?" She seemed nervous, and I didn't know why. I'm sure she knew where she was sleeping tonight. What did she have to worry about?

"I'll take it. How much?" I reached into my new back and grabbed my wallet and ID, handing everything over as she spoke. "Ummm… $286.77 total including taxes. Did you even want to know where you're heading?"

"Nope. I trust you." I tried to make my voice sound as convincing as my smile looked. I hoped it was working. By the look on her face, I don't think it was. Oh well, I'd never see her again. She arranged everything on her end, asking me all the precautionary questions and asked about me needing to check a bag. I just shook my head and smiled. Megan handed back my ID and change along with my ticket, pointing me in the direction of the nearest security checkpoint. As I turned from the counter, I chanced a peek at the group of boys that had been behind me and I noticed more than one pair of eyes and smiles were on me. Instantly my face flushed and I ducked my head, nearly sprinting towards security.