Tripper

Part One

Excited.

Yeah. That’s what she’d call it. Excited and a little nervous.

Oh, who was she kidding? This was nerve-wracking. For someone who stuck to her bubble and called a trip to the grocery store an adventure, this was almost more than she could handle. She blushed hotly. How embarrassing. It was a wonder she had ever gotten the courage to move a few hours away from home to go to college. Even after three years, it made her hands shake just trying something new. She hated it and wished she could just pick up and do something spontaneous without telling anyone. Which was why she was bundled up in her pea coat, hat, and scarf, shivering at the bus stop next to the Student Center on campus. Except she really couldn’t tell if she was shivering from the cold that was currently turning her nose bright red or from the fear that was making her lunch gurgle noisily in her stomach.

If that bus didn’t get here soon, she was going to turn tail and run. Straight to her apartment and into her bed. She rocked back and forth in her shoes, making the snow crunch beneath her feet. Thought of how her roommate would be so proud of her, coming out here on her own. Unfortunately, she couldn’t say anything because she had switched her cell phone off, knowing that if she contacted anyone she wouldn’t be able see this through. She sighed forlornly. She really could’ve used a friend, as stupid as her “spontaneous” plan was. She’d tried to be spontaneous, but couldn’t quite manage it and, instead, planned her little outing for days in advance. The only thing she had gotten right was not telling anybody about it.

Baby steps, really.

By now, several more students had joined her in the wait for the bus. Most of them seemed to be very familiar with each other and were chatting comfortably. She shuffled to the edge of the group and stood quietly to the side. A rumble and a puff of steam alerted her to the arrival of the bus. Letting out a relieved breath, she tucked her hair behind her ears, waiting her turn to climb on. She was the last one on, and the driver nodded politely at her, muttering the generic “How you doin’?” that was typical of the campus bus drivers. She froze on the top step. Somehow, in all of her careful planning, she’d forgotten she would be getting on a bus that had never been a part of her routine and that the driver would not likely be one she recognized.

He didn’t necessarily look like a sadistic murderer. His face looked nice enough. Kind eyes anyway. Then again, maybe victims had thought their murderers had kind eyes too. Realizing she was staring wide-eyed at him, she turned a feverish red and mumbled, “Good, thanks,” before collapsing into the nearest empty seat. Unluckily for her, it also happened to be right across from the driver. He smiled faintly, closed the door, and pulled away from the curb. She contemplated getting up to find another seat a bit further away, but noticed that all the other empty seats were between other people. There was no way she was going to wedge herself between two strangers. She’d just have to suck it up and stay where she was.

She could handle it. She only wished the bus were a little larger. Most of the campus shuttles were quite large, but this particular bus was just a tripper. It was about half the size of the normal busses as it was designed to carry just the few students who took classes at the campus extension in the next city over. She didn’t take any classes at the extension, but figured since the required student fees included shuttle services, she was more than welcome to hitch a ride. This rationalization, however, did nothing to stop her from feeling out of place and slightly frightened. The ride was only supposed to be about thirty minutes long, but most of those minutes took place on a steep and winding road through a canyon. That road was even more treacherous in the winter because the canyon had its own weather pattern. It could be mostly clear and sunny in the valleys but storming furiously in the canyon. She only hoped it wouldn’t snow tonight.

“So what’s your excuse?” Her head snapped up and she gaped at the driver. Looking around she realized he could only be speaking to her.

“Huh?” Good grief. Only she could be so articulate. He glanced over his shoulder and smiled slightly, repeating his question. She was still confused and so remained silent. She decided that his voice seemed friendly enough. It didn’t sound like the voice of a sadistic murderer.

“I mean, I know you aren’t taking a class down there. Otherwise I would’ve seen you before now. Been driving this route all semester,” he clarified. She felt embarrassed again. Of course he’d notice that she wasn’t a regular. So much for trying to stay invisible.

It was agonizing being put on the spot like this. Had she been anybody else, she would’ve been able to say something clever and keep the conversation flowing smoothly. She writhed inwardly, trying to figure out what to say so she wouldn’t sound like a fool. The craziness and unfamiliarity of her venture must have gotten to her head, because in the middle of her confusion, something was made clear to her.

She thought it might be an epiphany. Wasn’t sure because she didn’t think she’d ever had one, but she knew one thing. It didn’t matter what she said. This driver had never seen her before, so, as far as he was concerned, she could be anybody she wanted. The person she had always wanted to be was confident and brave. He didn’t have to know she wasn’t. She swallowed hard and managed a trembling, “I’m—I’m, uh, I have to do some Christmas shopping.” He glanced back at her and grinned.

“Been putting it off?” he asked knowingly. She nodded. “Me too. School’s been crazy lately.”

“Yeah,” she said shyly. “There are some different stores down there too.” She couldn’t believe herself. Words were forming without too much trouble and coming out of her mouth in coherent sentences. Sentences that belonged in conversations. Like this conversation. She wanted him to keep going. Wanted to see if she could keep going too.

He must have read her mind because he continued. “So, is it just me or have our professors suddenly decided to dump everything on us all at once?” Our. Us. She liked how he used those words. It meant they had something in common. Wasn’t often that she shared anything with anyone. She smiled a little, surprising herself.

“I had three projects due today,” she offered. That didn’t sound so timid. Getting the hang of this didn’t seem that complicated anymore. She tried again in a slightly louder voice. “What about you?”

He switched lanes and groaned a little, “Oh man. Crap like you wouldn’t believe. Two papers and a group presentation. I hate group projects, y’know?” Oh. She knew. Group members never listened to her. Of course, that could’ve been because she hardly spoke. Somehow she always ended up creating the PowerPoint and they always did the presenting. She was suddenly annoyed at herself for always being so passive. Being on this strange bus, talking to this stranger, it was doing something to her. She was waking up after being so tired. Tired of always being afraid.

“What’s your major?” she asked, uncharacteristically bold. It was pathetic, really, how exhilarating it was to talk to him. She fully recognized that it probably didn’t seem that way to him, but to her, the uncertainty and newness was thrilling.

He chuckled a little, “Agricultural science.” He had to be a farm boy. She glanced quickly at his feet. Sure enough, they were encased in worn out boots. His jeans weren’t Wranglers, but they were slightly baggy and equally worn. They suited him though. “Grew up on a farm. What can I say? I’m a hick from the inside out.” He winked at her. Oh gosh. He must have seen her scrutinizing him from head to toe. She wanted off this bus right now. He burst out laughing.

“Do you always get so crazy red?” he asked curiously. She blushed harder and nodded. At this point, the ripest garden tomato would probably look as pale as a ghost next to her.

“I can’t help it,” she confessed, cringing. “You keep your eyes on the road!” He laughed again and complied, turning his eyes to the front again. She closed her eyes and breathed a thankful prayer that there were only about ten minutes left of the drive. Glancing around the bus, she observed that all the other students were either studying or conversing quietly with each other. No seemed to have noticed her little episode of humiliation. The driver hadn’t forgotten it though, despite her hopes that he had.

“Can’t help it, eh?” he said solemnly. She nodded again. He looked at her thoughtfully and turned back to the road. “Interesting.” What? How was blushing at the least provocation interesting? She couldn’t comprehend him and said as much.

“Look up for a sec,” he ordered. She obeyed automatically, lifting her head to see him grin widely at her and wink again. This time she could actually feel the color creeping up and blossoming across her cheeks. Groaning, she buried her face in her hands. She could hear him wheezing with laughter and pounding the steering wheel with his hand.

“You suck,” she said stiffly, sitting up and folding her arms in front of her. He was hunched over the wheel, his back quivering from laughing. She caught another student looking at them curiously, but he immediately turned back to his book after she met his gaze with her own embarrassed one.

“You can’t help it? Don’t ever try,” he said hoarsely. “That was amazing. I could do that all day.” Sarcasm that she never knew existed suddenly bubbled up and found its way out her mouth. She would never admit it, but she was proud of herself. Had this been yesterday and had she heard herself acting like this, she would’ve thought she was angry. But she wasn’t. She was amused. She was cheerful. It all felt so strange. Like an almost out-of-body experience.

“By all means,” she blurted, “Entertain yourself at my expense. You think I like being a perpetual tomato?” He looked surprised at her sudden outburst, but, strangely enough, impressed by her audacity.

“Probably not,” he agreed readily, “but I like it. Don’t be embarrassed. It makes you real.” He smiled at her again. Real. He thought she was real. She had always figured her shyness had made her seem fake to others. How much time had she wasted worrying about what everyone thought? Up until now, she had reasoned that nobody wanted to get to know her when it was all her fault because she never cared to get to know anyone in return. Suddenly she was ashamed of herself.

No more being scared.

“Thanks,” she murmured. “I hope that’s a good thing.” He glanced at her, a serious look in his eyes.

“It is.” He cleared his throat and announced their arrival at the campus extension to the other passengers, pulling up in front of the main building. Since she was at the front of the bus, she gave the driver a small smile when she stood up to get off. Catching her coat sleeve with his fingertips, he stopped her. She turned and looked at him quizzically.

“Sorry,” he apologized quickly. “I’m actually going to park a little further into town. It’ll be closer to the stores if you want a ride. It’s a pretty cold walk from here.”

“Oh! Okay,” she said, sinking back into her seat. “Uh, thanks. That’s really nice of you.” She stuffed her hands into her pockets, her fingers nervously twisting the lining.

“It’s no problem,” he reassured her. After the last of the students filed off the bus, he threw it into gear and pulled out of the parking lot. Turning, he drove down the main road towards the shopping complex several blocks away, visible because of the bright Christmas lights draped across each storefront. Oh goodness. She was alone on a bus with the just the driver for company. Maybe he was a murderer. A murderer posing as an innocent-looking agricultural science major. This was where she would die and then be found the day after Christmas in the Staples dumpster, her body rolled tightly in heavy-duty bubble wrap. She started to perspire and tugged her scarf away from her throat.

Several blocks seemed to drag on like several miles, but they finally arrived at the shopping complex, and he parked the bus across a couple spots at the back of the lot. He hopped off the bus and offered his hand to help her off. After laughing heartily at her cheeks turning red again, he explained that the steps got kind of icy after lots of people tracked snow all over them and he didn’t want her to fall. Closing and locking the door, he turned to face her. She was unsure what to do. She guessed she should just leave now and come back when the tripper was scheduled to head back through the canyon.

“Well, thanks for the ride,” she said quietly, holding out her hand. He took it and shook it firmly, eyes still twinkling with amusement. She willed herself not to blush. Couldn’t stand him taking advantage of her anymore. “It was nice meeting you. Guess I’ll see you in a while.” She turned away to walk into the nearest store, and jumped when she heard his voice again. Looking up, she saw him walking comfortably beside her.

“I was just thinking,” he said conversationally as he opened the door for her, “I’ve got a couple hours to kill before I have to pick everyone up. Got some shopping same as you. Mind if I tag along?” She peered at him closely and shrugged.

“I guess so. You don’t look like a sadistic murderer.” Horrified, she clapped a hand over her mouth, and her face burned more brightly than it had the whole afternoon. His mouth dropped open and he guffawed. Several cashiers and customers looked up abruptly. Completely flustered, she hurried away and hid in the closest aisle. He staggered after her and collapsed against a shelf, slapping his leg.

“Stop it!” she muttered crossly, staring at a shelf of razors and shaving cream. He ignored her and kept laughing. “Seriously. Cut it out!”

“I’m sorry,” he said weakly, his breath coming in little gasps. “It’s just—crap, were you thinking that the whole ride?” She lifted one shoulder and smiled sheepishly. He snorted again and came over, slinging his arm around her shoulders. She shook it off. He put it back. She gave up. It was kind of nice. Warm anyway.

“You’re amazing,” he told her adoringly, patting her on the head and smashing her knitted cap down over her eyes. “I’m keeping you forever!” She pushed her hat back up and flounced away. Oh gosh. She was flouncing. Since when did she flounce? He followed her to the Christmas tree display in the middle of the store.

“Seriously,” he continued cheerfully. “Forever. Where do you live? Off-campus?”

She looked at him suspiciously, “Yes…”

“Roommates?” he said persistently. Where was this going?

“Yes. Why?”

“You like them?” he asked. She rolled her eyes and began examining some of the decorations that were on sale. Holding a particularly fat Santa ornament up to the light, she looked at it closely and chuckled. It looked just like her history professor. The one who had canceled class last week because he had landed in the splits while skiing. She snickered to herself. He asked her again if she liked her roommates.

“We get along okay,” she answered absently, as she sifted through bins of Christmas candy. “Why do you want to know?” She was having trouble following whatever harebrained train of thought had burrowed into his mind.

“Will they miss you when I kidnap you?” he asked hopefully. Oh. Now she understood. Suddenly feeling mischievous, she merely shrugged.

“I’m a terrible cook and I splash toothpaste on the mirror because I get the hiccups when I brush my teeth,” she said flatly. “You tell me.” Well. She hadn’t intended to be quite so honest about that. Awkward. He beamed at her. He really needed to stop doing that because she was getting too used to it. If she wasn’t careful, she was going to find herself going out of her way to make him smile. Which was stupid because, really, she wasn’t ever going to see him again after tonight. This whole adventure was a one-time deal.

“Cool. Have you found anything good?” She shook her head, but her eyes landed on a shelf down the aisle, and she giggled to herself again. What was going on? She never giggled. Not as much as she was doing tonight.

“Want to know my favorite thing to do?” she asked him suddenly.

“What?” She grabbed his arm and tugged him along. Stopping, she pointed to the shelf filled with heaps of stuffed reindeer with buttons on their hooves that read “PRESS ME.” A slow smile spread across his face. There it was again. She didn’t think sadistic murderers smiled that much. Cruel smiles perhaps, not happy ones like his. Maybe they could be friends. An unspoken countdown hung in the air, and suddenly they were racing up and down the aisle trying to push all the reindeer buttons at once. Soon the air was filled with a discordant chorus of a hundred bobbing reindeer all blasting “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” in their tinny, recorded voices.

That stupid bus driver was blissfully dancing a jig beside her while she admired their handiwork. She stubbornly refused to dance with him, despite his attempts to twirl her around. Just as she was about to reach out and push all the buttons again, a gravelly voice interrupted her.

“Having fun there, are you?” Her eyes widened, and she whirled around to see a little wizened store associate in a blue vest standing there, a stern look on his wrinkled face. Instinctively, she darted to the side and grabbed the driver by the waist, pulling him in front of her. He obligingly took over. She breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oh, we are having fun, thanks,” he greeted the sales associate cheerfully. She cowered behind him and angrily pinched his side with her fingers. He twitched and twisted away from her. Understanding dawned and she experimentally pinched him again. He flinched. So this is what utter delight felt like. “We—um—just about to—leave!” The old man lost his stern look and chuckled.

“Merry Christmas,” he said kindly, walking away. She straightened and looked up at him impishly. He glared at her. She playfully poked him in the ribs. He jumped away from her. She laughed out loud, waggling her fingers at him threateningly.

“I can’t believe it!” she cried, edging closer to him. He backed up against the shelf. “You’re ticklish!” She dragged a finger down his side and he convulsed. More giggles exploded out of her. Before she could tickle him again, he seized her hand and spun her around. Bending down, he wrapped his arms around her, effectively pinning her arms to her sides. He straightened, lifted her off the ground, and started walking towards the front of the store, her feet dangling helplessly.

“So, Shy Girl,” he whispered teasingly in her ear. He smelled like clean air and snow. Which was completely irrelevant. “You blush and I’m ticklish. I think we’re even, don’t you?” Oh no. Oh no. She went stiff as a board in his arms, and her whole body went hot. Apparently her toes were embarrassed. And, oh goodness, she could feel her calves flushing red too.

“Calm down!” he ordered as she started to wriggle. He blew out a frustrated breath against her neck. Tingles spilled down her spine. She froze again. “Oh jeez, now loosen up a little.” Refusing to let go of her, he began to jostle her up and down, making her teeth clack together with every step he took.

“Okay—” Clack. “—put—” Clack. “—me—” Clack. “—down!”

“Are you sure?” She really couldn’t take his whispering in her ear anymore. It was driving her crazy and making her twitch. A toddler sitting in a cart gazed at them with her little mouth open while her mother perused greeting cards.

Clack. He was still shaking her around. Her eyes were going to end up permanently crossed if he kept it up.

“Yes!”

Clack.

“Final answer?” Her ears were burning. They were going to burst into flames any second.

Clack.

“For the love of Pete—yes!” She stumbled dizzily when he finally set her down outside the store.

“Whoa, there!” He gripped her elbow gently, steadying her. Hanging onto his arm, she looked up at him. Oh dear. That adoring look was back in his eyes. She was not in the mood to have him pat her head again. Still, she kind of liked him looking at her like that. Seriously? This had to stop. Like now. Immediately.

“Did I ever tell you that I get motion sick really easily?” she asked pitifully. Hugging her stomach tightly, she let out a little moan and closed her eyes. She felt him take her by the shoulders and hold her still.

“Crap, I’m sorry. Are you really sick?” he said worriedly. She whimpered again. Felt him gently brush her hair back from her face. “You’re turning red. You need to puke? I can find you a bathroom. There’s probably one in the bookstore.” She cracked an eyelid to see him staring at her with true concern. Holding back a smile, she snapped both eyes open and dug all ten fingers into his sides. He yelped loudly, lurching sideways into the bookstore door, a look of shock in his eyes.

“Gotcha,” she said saucily. Oh no. Now she was being saucy. And he was grinning at her in his stupid jeans and boots. She had to get away from him right now. Being brave and confident had been fun for a little while, but now she was just exhausted. It was like exercising. Another thing she hated. She panicked when she realized how unlike herself she was acting. She needed to hide in a corner and become invisible again. Wrenching the door open and leaving him outside, she dashed inside and fled to the poetry section. Her breath coming in fast little pants, from running or panicking she couldn’t tell, she sank to her knees on the carpet and rested her forehead against Billy Collins’s The Trouble with Poetry.

She didn’t like this anymore. It wasn’t fun. It was frightening. She felt suffocated. The air was heavy and thick. She slowly unbuttoned her coat and unwound her scarf. Promising herself not to be scared anymore was turning out to be a really big mistake. Who was she kidding? She couldn’t just turn around and stop being so skittish. She didn’t like how he made it seem so easy to forget herself. She was never mischievous, or saucy, or sarcastic. A couple hours simply weren’t enough to kick a personality that had been around for 21 years. It was impossible. It just didn’t make sense.

A pair of worn boots stopping in front of her interrupted her jumbled thoughts. Then he was crouching in front of her, holding a mug of steaming hot chocolate out to her like it was a peace offering. Maybe it meant he wasn’t going to tease her anymore. He confirmed it when he mumbled an apologetic, “Truce, Shy Girl?” and smiled hopefully at her. Oh no. Her shy heart was melting away as fast as the dollop of whipped cream quivering in the hot chocolate. At this rate, a couple more hours were going to completely do away with her old self.

Oh well. At least he’d stop trying to make her blush.

She took the mug from him and patted the carpet with her hand. He smiled triumphantly and sat down across from her. Stretching his long legs in front of him, he propped his back up against the bookshelf. She peeked at him over the rim of the mug. He was watching her with a serious look on his face. Then he winked at her.

Liar.

A/N: This was supposed to be a one-shot. It still is. Kind of. But expanded. Slightly. :) So it'll be a two-shot. Part 2 coming soon!

Read and review!!