The June heat was sweltering. Even with the classroom windows opened, not a breath of air moved over the students as they scribbled out their final exams. Heads down, sweat on every brow, the girls had peeled off down to the smallest amount of clothing possible. The boys stared in envy and lust from their desks—stuck in t-shirts with sleeves among the bevy of vixens wearing tank-tops with thin straps that showed off their young pert breasts.
Finally the bell rang and they made their way from their classes to lockers to collect their bags for the last time this year. Belle gathered up her small shoulder bag, slung it on and with a racing heart, made her way out to the bus lane. Later she would learn that she passed and ignored three people, but she was focused and blocked everything out. She had been planning this day for the past two months.
"Good afternoon, Belle," her bus driver said cheerfully. "Looking forward to the summer break?"
"Hi Sean, yeah, I guess so."
He chuckled at her less than eager response, "well, that's the spirit" and shut the door. Belle took her seat with four other students who were unfortunate enough to have their exam on the last day. As the bus pulled out, she looked out the window and lost herself in thought while the large vehicle rocked and lurched through the small town and into the rural surroundings, stopping here and there to let the other students off.
Finally Sean steered the bus down the long and rather isolated road that lead to Belle's house. There were only a handful of people that lived out the road, and after the first few houses, there were none until Belle's. A deserted road, especially today when her parents were out of town and she was home alone.
The bus pulled into the round-about that was her driveway and stopped. "End of the line," Sean called out as he did every day for her. She nodded, rose and slipped from the stick seat. Down her back was a large sweat stain from the heat and vinyl seat. Belle paused at the last set of seats and instead of turning and bouncing down the stairs as she would do normally, she instead placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Sean thanks so much for being a great driver, and letting me off right at my door and stuff."
"Ah it's no problem. It's easier to turn around in here than on the road there," he pointed to the small space at the end of the driveway.
Belle nodded and kept going "and for, that help, earlier this year. I really appreciate being able to talk to you." She referred to the boy who had led her on, made her believe she was special only to find out it was to get into her pants.
Sean waved his hand, "it was nothing. You're a special girl, you deserve better than that creep." He smiled and his face was very friendly and inviting.
"Would, uh, would you like to come in and I can get you some lemonade?" It was weak. Lame even but she had to take a chance.
