line 153

I glanced at the clock on my wrist and tapped my foot in frustration. I had been standing at the bus stop for more than twenty minutes, and the bus had yet to arrive. I was used to Line 153 arriving late, but it was truly outrageous this time. It was supposed to arrive at 1 o'clock sharp, yet it was already a quarter past, and there was still no sign of it ever arriving. I had begun to wonder if perhaps I'd missed it, but after asking the other victims waiting at the bus stop, I realized I had not and it was indeed just that tardy.

I let out a sigh of frustration and slumped back down on the bench, feeling the sweat trickling down the side of my forehead. It was swelteringly hot outside, and I was about to lose it if I couldn't find a way to cool myself stat. We were finally having a rare day of high heat, and I was wasting it at the bus stop when I could've been enjoying it at the beach! I had planned to meet up with some acquaintances from work, but clearly, the universe was hoping to make those plans fall through. What other good reason could there be for the bus being this atrociously late?! After all, the driver had one job; to pick people up on time and drop them off on time.

I sighed once more and checked my clock. The nerve of the stupid mechanism, the hands hadn't even shifted! They were in the exact same position as they had been the last time I glanced at them, apparently less than one minute ago. I was close to giving up when I heard the unmistakable 'woosh' of the bus arriving; finally! an end to all my suffering, or so I had thought. Clearly, the universe had other plans, as the bus simply drove past and left me stranded there, like an idiot standing with my hand outstretched.

Normally, I am not one to curse. After all, cursing is a sign of weak verbal skills. However, in that moment as I stood there gobsmacked, I let out a string of profanities that would put even my best friend to shame, and he speaks fouler than a sailor. I hastily grabbed my things and began running after the bus as quickly as my stubby legs could take me. I had never been particularly interested in athletics, often opting out of gym class for the funner prospect of assisting my teacher in the science lab. At the time, it had seemed like a good trade-off, but at that moment, I deeply regretted my foolish decision and cursed in my heart all those irresponsible adults who allowed it to happen.

I chased after the bus, my stomps echoing throughout the street. With each step I took, I felt it becoming harder and harder, and each breath I took felt like knives slicing at my throat, lungs, and heart. I felt like an elephant run rampant, stampeding through the polished neighborhood I called home. Alas, I did not stop for one moment, a clear goal visible in my mind's eye. I was going to catch the bus, even if I fainted on its doorstep. With the power of adrenaline on my side, I managed to keep the bus in my sights for two streets before I was finally gifted with an opportunity to overtake the bus and reach the stop first. My chance presented itself as a red light, stalling the bus for a handful of seconds as I crossed the remaining distance left between us, and slowly but surely overtook it as well.

As I passed by the driver's window, we made eye contact, and I, basking in my victory over my self-proclaimed rival, flashed him the middle finger and stuck out my tongue. Sure, it was perhaps childish of me to do so, being that I was a 25-year-old man at the time; however, I doubt others would not do the same had they been in my shoes. I know not how he reacted, as by the time his mind registered what he had seen, I was long gone.

It is amazing what adrenaline does to the body, as that day I had run more than I could ever remember running for my whole life.

I stopped at the bus stop and leaned on my knees. I had won, but at what cost? My legs were shaking, my shirt was sticking to my back, and my heart was beating so fast it was practically bursting out of my chest. I couldn't believe I had done it! If only my gym teacher could see me now. I stood there in that very same position, and once again I heard the familiar 'woosh', signaling the arrival of the bus. I straightened up and passed a hand through my hair, fully ready to confidently strut up to the bus, victor in our intense battle of speed. Once again, it appeared life could not even let me have this single win. The bus passed the bus stop, and I scrambled to collect my bearings and begin the chase anew. I was not sure if I would be able to win once again, but I was determined to try. I wasn't going to allow that scumbag of a driver to best me; not after he had humiliated me once before.

However, much to my delight, it seemed the driver had had a change of heart about facing off against me once more, as he stopped the bus a little ways away from the stop. I hastily began my way towards the entrance, the smell of success blatant in the air.

As I stepped onto the bus, it felt like I had stepped into a whole new world. Immediately, I was hit with a strong sense of relief, the cold air brushing at my hair and nipping at my cheeks, dispelling the horrendous heat I hadn't even noticed I was suffering from. I wheezed out a small 'thank you' to the bus driver and stumbled my way to my favorite seat, the one next to the window on the left side of the bus. I slumped into my seat and connected my headphones to my phone, the soft crooning of Frank Sinatra echoing in my ears. I leaned my head against the window, the cool glass doing wonders to soothe the headache I was developing. I let out a sigh and settled myself in my seat, prepared to relax in the nice, long drive.