A Long Way

Chapter One 

     "Ms? Wake up Ms. We're here miss, you best get your things. We'll be at the bus station in about ten minutes."

"Attention all passengers, we will be arriving in Regency in about ten minutes, please make sure all belongings are removed from your seats. We hope you enjoyed your trip, thank-you for choosing redwing transport."

Still only remotely awake, I nod and try my damnedest to mumble what I hope sounds like a thank-you and not a leave me a alone or why are you touching me? After all, if I'm going to lose it on a total stranger for being polite; I should probably learn not to fall asleep just anywhere!

As I open my eyes to take in my surrounding I notice the man; I think it was a man? Who woke me is now MIA.Oh well, it's for the best at least I can skip the whole insincere pleasantry thing.You know how it goes...So where are you from... What brings you out here ... Oh that's fascinating blah blah blah. So your nice. You smile, you nod, you laugh here and there. On occasion you answer one of their questions even rarer, you ask a question feigning interest.

I've spent 21 years with people. I've watched them. I've lived with them. People aren't all that complicated. Most of the time they are just as bored and over the conversation as you are. So I see no reason to undergo the interrogation if it's even remotely avoidable.

As I right myself into an upright position I hear the rustle of discarded fast food bags and hollow styrofoam cups crunch below my feet. Two days on a bus tends to allow garbage to accumulate fast! I contemplate gathering my litter then I feel the bus shift down and clouded light fills the cabin.

"We have arrived at Regency. Your luggage will be waiting on the tarmac. Once again thank you for choosing redwing transport. Enjoy your evening!"

I feel the bus down shift again this time a roaring hiss escapes the breaks. I know now the driver wasn't lying we have indeed arrived at Regency after all.  

Chapter Two

The cool air kisses my check as I greet the Tarmac with my feet. I look around and realize that nothing has changed.

Two years.

That's how long it's been since I last laid eyes on the bustling city of Regency.

Two years earlier ...

"Sandra...? Sandra wait! "

I grab hold of the silver life line most people call a railing. Closing my eyes I will it to pull me in and take me away . Take me away now.

I hate this part.

You know how in movies; the classic ones? There's that scene in everyone, where the guy tells the girl he loves her and she stays.

He's not that guy.

I'm not that girl.

He catches up to me and I try not to look at him. Maybe if I don't turn around this wont be so hard.

But I do turn around. It is that hard .

A tear rolls down my check, the cold air kisses it and like the kiss of death the tear freezes. I look at the asphalt.

"Sandra you don't have to leave th-things will..."

Furiously I shake my head, almost giving myself whiplash in the process .

"Things will what Jeremy ?" I yell "Go back... Back to the way they used to be ? Because I hate to break it to you but they won't! they can't! Nothing will ever be like it used to be ! "

It's the first time in a week I look Jeremy in the eye. I've been trying to avoid it since I decided to leave home. This right here; this is why. Jeremy has these amazing glacier like eyes that seem to peer right through you. The hole inside me is big enough already I don't need him to look at me like that, because now... Now that hole is a precipice. Jeremy looks down at his feet, his shaggy blonde hair falling to cover his face.

I let go of my life line and run to him. As I fling my arms around his mind section I squeeze tightly, holding on for dear life.

"I'm sorry " I whisper

Briefly, he envelopes me in a masculine hug and I allow my self to wonder. What if I stay ? Could it .... Abruptly that moment is gone. I give one last mournful squeeze. Then... I let go.

I give my head a shake and rub my temples furiously hoping the pressure will relieve the throbbing head I now have. Moving towards the slowly diminishing pile of luggage I begin to search for my bags.