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Sullenly I walked to my ugly yellow sorry-excuse of a school bus.
"Watch your step!" the bus driver barked as I tripped on my way in. I forced a smile in his direction then hurried on to my seat. Number 13, considered unlucky and avoided by all, the seat was right in the middle of the bus, away from the stench of the engine in the back and the grouchy driver up front. I sat down, a small smile wiggling its way to my face. I couldn't wait to get home. Such a bad day at school deserved at least two chocolate-chip-cookies. My friends made fun of my addiction for the sweets, threatening me of stories of fat people. But in truth I was always mocked for being skinny and they were glad I ate at least something.

The other "bus kids" began loading on. I counted. There were 16 people who rode my bus, including me. The first 8, complete preps, went to the back. The next two filled in the very first seat. The rest would be picked up at an elementary school.
And then WHAM! just to make my bad day worse Mark Stanley, ultimately the coolest kid in school, trudged up the bus steps. He shook his head, causing his chin-long dirty-blond hair to bounce away from his sky-blue eyes.
"You new?" the bus driver harked at him.
"Uhh...Yeah, here's the slip." Mark gave the driver a folded piece of paper. He smiled his perfect smile and walk up the steps, humming some song. He stopped at 13. Next to me.
"Can I sit here?" he asked, his eyes smiling. I looked around my self. Ahead of me were 10 empty seats starring back longingly. Behind me were the cool kids, and another 8 or so empty seats.
"Why me?" I asked, a bit panicky. Had someone told him? Was this a joke? Was I dreaming? I pinched my arm just to make sure he was real.
"Why not? This' the best seat in town! Please?" he asked and gave me that lovely smile. How could I resist? I moved over, pressing myself to the window, my backpack squished on my laps. I heard a gasp from the back. I wasn't the only one confused. Obviously this wasn't moving along with the program. I noticed Mark moving closer to me. A look of panic danced on my face, but I tried to mask it with a smile. Either my smile turned into a scowl, or the tiny noise I made wasn't only inside my head, Mark turned to look at me.
"I don't bite..." he said, smiling still. I forced my head to nod. Another smile appeared on his face. I had never noticed how white his teeth were. Then again, I have never been some 2 feet away from his face. The bus jolted forward and, me being extremely

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