Chapter 267
WILLA
Theron was looking at the yellow bus as he said, "Take care of yourself, Willa. Try and come back in one piece, please."
"I'll try," I said, knowing I was supposed to laugh at Theron's attempt at a joke but not being able to.
Anxiety was twisting my stomach into hard knots.
"Incoming!" shouted a boy who was carrying a suitcase nearly half his size.
Theron and I stepped aside to let him pass. I switched my duffel bag from one hand to the other.
"I don't envy you," Theron said as he straightened to peer through the windows of the bus. He was so tall so he could do it easily. I hadn't even taken a peek at what the inside looked like. There was time enough to know that during the trip to wherever it was we were going.
Theron shook his head. "I don't know how you plan on surviving a week alone with Lucian and Naomi. You literally get to see their faces every single day!"
"Tell me about it," I murmured. "I'm not exactly looking forward to it either. I really wish I could get out of this one but Dean Freeman isn't likely to let me off the hook, is he?"
"No. I wish I could come with you though. You know, for moral support. I actually checked with one of the botany professors. He said only only those in botany can go on this trip."
"Thanks for trying," u said. "Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. One little botany field project can't hurt me, right?"
"Right."
The bus driver honked loudly.
"That's your sign to get onboard I guess," Theron said.
I was the only member of the party not already in the vehicle.
"Yeah."
Theron gave me a hug. I said my goodbyes. At the door, I paused mentally braced myself and stepped in. I was waving back at Theron when the doors of the bus swung shut.
"Settle down everyone," the driver shouted as he studied a map spread out on his knee. "We're about to leave. Once we're on the move, I'm not stopping for anything or anyone."
Most seats in the bus were occupied as far as I could see. No. All seats it seemed.
Looked like the vehicle was carrying the exact number of students going for the field trip. I moved inside, sure I would find my seat.
Lucian had a window seat. Beside him was Naomi. She was holding a magazine she was reading with one hand, holding on to Lucian's arm with the other.
She didn't even let go when she had to turn a page. Lucian didn't look like he even knew she was there. He was staring out of the window with a bored, careless expression on his face that looked right at home there.
I gave them just a brief glance, kept moving to the back of the bus. There was an empty seat there. I dragged my suitcase and bag over to join the other luggage at the back then sat down.
The driver shouted his instructions for everyone to buckle up. A girl I hadn't noticed had been squatting while she talked to her friend suddenly sprang up and hurried over to me.
"Hey," she said. "You're in my seat."
"Your seat?" I repeated.
"Yes. The project supervisor..." She jerked a thumb in Lucian's direction. "... assigned this spot to me days ago like he did everyone else."
I stood up and let her reclaim her seat. Unless I wanted to stand all through the trip, it looked like I would have to make contact with Lucian earlier than I had planned.
When I got to Lucian's, he didn't appear to have moved an inch. I cleared my throat loudly and got only the attention of Naomi who started glowering at me. I ignored her.
"Excuse me," I said.
"What?" Lucian said and then turned.
"All the seats are occupied. I can't find mine. I heard it's your job to allocate seats on this trip." I said.
"Oh it is," he said smoothly. "Unfortunately you don't have a seat. You weren't considered as your name was added last minute. Consider the discomfort you'll suffer a little extension of your punishment."
He went back to staring at the window. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him that his girlfriend was supposed to be suffering right along with me.
Yet she was sitting very comfortably and glaring at me. But what good would that do? Would I challenge him?
I had overheard it was going to be a bumpy ride so I definitely couldn't stand. I realized then I was going to have to sit at the back where the bags and sample collection equipment were stacked.
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