Sorry about the long intro but its my first story.
"I got accepted!"
Jenna screamed as she ran down the stairs.
"I got into my first choice college and I did it all by myself."
Her father glanced over at her with a smug look on his face.
"Aren't you happy for me Dad?"
she said.
"Of course I am honey, but I think what you failed to remember is that your first choice college is definitely out of walking distance. And you know that your mother and I cannot give you rides everyday."
"And you know we do not have enough money to pay for a dorm,"
her mother chimed in.
"I thought we talked about this and decided that you would go to the local community college, that way I can drop you off. It's right on my way to work."
Jenna definitely remembered this conversation, but she thought she would try to work out an approval after getting actual proof that she was serious about going.
"Besides, you said it yourself, all of your friends are going to the community college so you'll be in familiar company."
She frowned as her father made another good point.
"And because of your terrible driving history, there is no way we are letting you drive without a license."
Jenna felt tears starting to build up as her parents teamed up to drown her college dreams. As she drudged back to her room, she got about halfway up the stairs and realized that she and her parents forgot about one blatantly obvious solution...public transportation.
"I could take the bus!"
she shrilled with new hope.
Her parents looked at each other in shock as they realized their 18-year-old daughter had just out-argued them. They were pushing Jenna to go to community college because their financial situation was already troubled enough and they didn't want to argue with the bank for another loan.
After a long pause her parents gave in and Jenna ran up the stairs with excitement to tell all of her friends.
• • • • • • •
The summer had passed and Jenna was so excited about going to college. She bought all of her books and she had her schedule memorized and she headed out the door of her family's apartment building and down to the bus stop.
When the bus finally arrived she stepped up to the driver and noticed his name patch said "Marcus."
"Hello,"
she said. "
My name is Jenna and since I'll be taking this bus everyday this semester, we should get to know each other."
Marcus gave a slightly pleasant hello back to her and smiled and waited for her to deposit the 75¢ and then shut the door.
Jenna had a normal long first day of school and left the building just as the streetlights flickered on and headed for the bus stop. As she waited there she was going through her purse when she noticed that she didn't have any money left for the bus fare home. She remembered that she had bought an extra large bowl of salad for lunch and began to regret it.
She felt terrible but was also hoping that the bus driver Marcus would give her a break since it was her first day and it was only 75¢.
As the bus pulled up, she explained her story to Marcus and he sighed and told her to sit down. She kept noticing him glaring at her in the rear-view mirror and she just shrugged down in her seat.
As the bus reached her stop, she strolled towards the front of the empty bus and Marcus stopped her and said,
"Jenna is it?"
"Yes,"
she replied.
"Since I am a nice guy I will let you slide on the fare ONE time. Just don't let it happen again or you'll be in trouble."
Marcus, being a 6'5" 245lb man, definitely intimidated Jenna and she trembled a little and quickly skipped off the bus and ran straight home.
•
• • • • • •