waiting...

where are you?

i’m sitting at the bus stop.

it’s almost 11:00 PM and you’re still not here.

“are you waiting for the bus? it stopped running an hour ago.”

please stop talking to me.

“no, i’m just waiting for someone to come get me.”

I turn my back to subtly say, “go away.”

this is my own personal hell.

“well, doesn’t seem very nice that they’d keep you waiting here alone.”

shut up, please leave.

“yeah,” I fake laugh and smile,

because I’m incapable of being rude. “I guess you’re right.”

I can feel his eyes staring at me. but i refuse to look his way.

he sits next to me and we sit in silence for another 21 minutes.

“looks like he forgot about you.”

I never said it was a boy.

I unlock my phone to send a text. Last message sent at 10:47 PM.

the screen goes black. great. it’s dead.

my panic reaches an all-time high.

when i don’t say anything, he takes that as his cue to keep talking.

“let me give you a ride. you shouldn’t be out so late on your own.”

the sound of drunk college kids entering the 24-hour diner behind us brings me back to my surroundings.

“um, no that’s ok. i’m good, thanks though.”

“c’mon, where do you live? i don’t mind dropping you off to make sure you get home safe.”

i waited for you. you said you would be here. why aren’t you here?

i’m so upset i just say nothing, stand up and gesture for him to lead the way.

he opens the door for me and when we drive away, i’m still looking out the window hoping there was some mistake, some reason why you didn’t show up.

“where to?”

anywhere but here.