Written on December 12th, 2018

C H A P T E R  5

The surprised bus driver slams on the brakes and the bus has to stop at a bizarre speed. With a facial expression that speaks volumes, he hesitantly opens the doors of the vehicle. The moment Tara wants to enter, the man opens his mouth, but then closes it again.

Air-gasping fish, is all Tara thinks. Without caring about it, Tara enters the bus empty - except for a number of drunk teenagers. The cord of her headphones are terribly tangled, Tara takes a seat and begins a few frustrating minutes of pulling on the cord.

'Busstop Molenlane,' sounds through the speakers on the bus. 'Just two more stops before we reach the central station.' The explanation passes Tara by. She has never been on the night bus before, mainly because her father thinks it is nonsense that she should be outside after twelve, but she knows the bus stops by heart.

Time passes quickly with music. She only has to spend fifteen minutes with people who have a penetrating smell of smoke and alcohol. The other passengers are and Tara is already on the highest level of the sound on her cell phone, and still can she hear them talking - screaming - through her music.

Tara rolls her eyes in annoyance. She also lets out a sigh that louder than she intended it to be, attracting the - unwanted - attention of the people in front of her. Unaware that this is happening, Tara turns her attention to the passing nature on the other side of the window. Only when she notices that a rather smelly person has taken a seat next to her does she look up. A bit shocked she isn't sitting alone anymore.

With raised eyebrows she looks at the tired boy next to her. 'Hello?' Tara says questioningly, not understanding what he is doing next to her or what he wants from her. 'Hello,' Tara repeats again when the boy doesn't say anything back or make his intentions clear.

The only thing that happens is that the boy looks at her with a broad smile. 'Want some?' he manages to say while stumbling over his drunk words. He raises the only half-filled beer can and pushes it towards Tara's face. She immediately makes a disgusted face and wrinkles her nose in envy. 'No, thanks,' she answers quickly.

The boy shakes his head in disappointment. 'Sweetheart,' he begins. He now turns his back to Tara and looks at his friends. The group consists of two other boys and three girls. Upon seeing their appearance, Tara estimates that the ladies are not yet of age, so they have applied their makeup a little thicker; to appear older than they really are.

Tara recognizes herself in that too. Despite being only sixteen, she has enough experience doing makeup to see that it is now done in such a way that she can add a few years to their actual age. She also tried it out once, together with her friend Soraya. However, this ended in complete disaster.

Alfonso had found out. He had completely disapproved of Tara and Soraya's plan and had raged at the two girls. They were lucky that Tara's mother was home to calm Alfonso down and talk to him. Tara hasn't touched her makeup since.

'Ah, Greg, leave her alone.' The brunette speaks up and shakes her head in disappointment towards the boy – Greg. He throws his hands up in surprise. 'Why?' he says indignantly. 'I just want to have fun,' he continues, 'have a nice party on the bus.'

'Mara is right,' a blonde agrees with her friend. 'Greg, just come sit with us again. Look at that poor girl.' She points her finger at the uncomfortable emotion written all over Tara's face. Greg turns and stares at Tara with an intense gaze. 'I don't see anything I don't like,' he answers.

'I do,' Tara replies automatically. Immediately her eyes widen and she looks around in mild panic. She hopes that the two girls who just stood up for her – sort of – would now save her again. However, it remains quiet. The girls are no longer paying attention and are busy talking to the two other boys who are also on the bus.

'The next stop is Krülersquare. Stop Krülersquare.'

As soon as the words reach Tara's eardrum, she clicks – harder than necessary – on the stop button on the wall of the bus. Even though this is absolutely not the stop where she should get off. The large letters on the front of the bus begin to glow a bright red. In the mirror you can see a curious look from the bus driver. Once he realizes the situation, he nods understandingly.

Even before the bus reaches the actual bus stop, the bus slows down. 'May I pass?' Even though Tara asks it, she leaves little space and time for Greg to answer. With some extra power she pushes the boy roughly aside. He has had too much to drink to really respond properly and doesn't react.

Tara walks towards the door with brisk yet unsteady steps. It opens almost immediately. A cold, nighttime wind immediately blows into Tara's face. She crosses her arms, hoping this will give her some extra warmth.