“Front row?” I asked, arching my eyebrow at Kevin.
“I always sit up front,” he said.
“You do?” I asked, preferring the back myself.
“Yeah, no one bothers you up here since the driver can hear everything,” he answered knowingly.
My heart pinched at his words. I knew that at some of his old schools he had gotten picked on because of his size and such, but I never realized it went to this extent.
“Well, as long as I’m with you, you have nothing to worry about,” I said, swallowing hard.
“I know, but these seats are the coolest anyway,” he said, shooting me the grin I loved the most.
“Whatever you say, punk,” I said, nudging him with my elbow.
I looked up and saw the driver’s eyes on us through the mirror. Our eyes met and he just smiled, acknowledging that he had heard our whole spiel.
I scanned the occupants of the bus and it looked to be mostly fifth or sixth graders and younger, with the exception of Bethany and her brother who were sprawled out in the last two rows of the bus.
I sighed heavily, already dreading my daily commute, even though I had bigger problems to worry about. I had no idea how I was going to ask Lucinda for a dress. I knew our cash was gone, leaving only the seven dollar voucher from the thrift store. I was sure I could find something suitable there, but convincing Lucinda was a whole other story. I would have to phrase it just right and wait for the perfect moment to spring it on her.
The bus driver made two stops before finally stopping in front of Shady Lane. Kevin and I piled out before Bethany, Matt and several younger kids I had seen playing throughout the trailer park over the past couple of days.
A cold gust of air hit us in the face as we made our way down the dirt path toward our trailer.
“So what do think of Mun-crapville?’ Bethany asked, catching up to me.
“I like it,” I answered honestly.
She looked disappointed at my words. “I guess you would,” she muttered condescendingly, slowing her pace to trail behind me.
“What does that mean?” I asked, puzzled by her tone.
“I mean that Max has taken quite a liking to you. It won’t last, though. You need money coming out your ass to fit in with them,” she said, looking at me knowingly.
“What makes you say that, and besides, why would that matter anyway?” I asked, almost sarcastically.
“I just know from past experience. They all think they're better than trailer park trash like us,” she said sadly, all bite leaving her voice as she shuffled off to join her brother.
I pondered her words, climbing the steps to our trailer. Were my new friends really that superficial? Max already knew about the food stamps and the beat-up car, surely, living in a trailer park wouldn’t be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
The next day dawned with a not-so-pleasant surprise of several inches of frozen snow blanketing the ground, making for a miserable walk to the bus stop.
“This sucks,” Kevin grumbled, shivering as he slipped for the twentieth time.
"I know, right,” I said, reaching to steady him once again.
“Why is it so slippery? It wasn't like this in Colorado,” he complained.
“I don't know, but it's freakin cold. Bet you’re glad I forced those long johns on you now?” I said, slinging my arm around his shoulders to help his balance.
“Heck yeah, I’m still cold even with all these clothes on,” he said, indicating the bulk that encased his narrow frame.
“At least we know school will be toasty warm,” I reminded him.
“True dat, sista,” he said, using his gangsta voice.
“Needs work,” I said.