"Have you been a driver for a long time?"
"Nah."
Shauna didn't know how she'd got to sit all the way at the front of the bus, she'd just kind of happened to be the person at the front of the loose congregation of students when the trip started. She supposed that was because she'd wound herself up about potentially being late and got so anxious that she was going to somehow miss the bus that she overshot and was at the assembly point over an hour ahead of when she needed to be. That'd meant a bonus of getting to pick her seat, but Shauna had kind of misjudged things in the heady excitement of having a world of choices in front of her and just sat down at the first possible spot, which was basically like three feet away from the driver and she suspected was actually like a wheelchair access spot? It was only once she was already sitting and others started filtering on that she realised she'd condemned herself to sharing a row with a couple teachers and no one else.
This was why you should never try anything new and different, only misery and misfortune awaited.
Anyway, Coach Oppenheimer was kind of scary and one time he'd nearly made her cry by criticising her over and over when he held training in place of Coach Skinner for a couple weeks. That left her with her reading book, her Notebook, and the bus driver (She was saving her sketchpad for D.C.), and since Shauna apparently hadn't learned her lesson about venturing outside of her comfort zone, she'd periodically been trying to engage the woman at the wheel in conversation.
"What did you do before driving?"
"Do you not have friends?"
"I, um..."
"I'm busy driving, kid...and I have friends."
This, obviously, was going absolutely great. She spent the next half hour reading her book, casting nervous glances at Coach Oppenheimer, and wishing she'd just bitten the bullet and asked to tag along with Cheri or Rhonda and slid in with that group, or heck, Nona! Nona was here too and probably didn't have too many choices for neighbours. Maybe when the buses pulled over for a rest stop Shauna could talk to the teachers, or maybe just sidle on up to the back and see if she could squeeze in with someone else? She was super skinny, she didn't need that much space. Perhaps she could even swap bus—wait shoot, there were rules about doing that. Darn it.
Another ten minutes and the bus halted for the third time in quick succession. The driver muttered something that Shauna didn't quite catch but sounded colorful and none-too-happy. Shauna opened her mouth, hesitated, went back and forth, and then spoke.
"Hey, uh, are you okay?"
The driver stiffened up for a second then slooooowly turned her head back. "Oh yeah. Just great. I am thrilled right now to be driving this dying bus, thanks.”
Shauna slooooowly slid down her chair to escape from that glare.
--
When they stopped officially, Shauna thanked the driver on the way off and then hung around to say sorry for bugging her during the drive to D.C.
Her response was "Sure, whatever,", which Shauna considered to be an absolute win.
--
Boarding to head back home—safely ensconced in a group with Rhonda and Cheri this time—Shauna gave the driver a smile and a little wave as she passed.
The driver did not wave back.
"Don’t just give up. Don’t just forgive me! You’re meant to live! You’re meant to have time to hate me!" - Molly Oliveira
You're Probably Wondering How I Got Into That Situation
Thanks, Deamon!
Various areas in the city of Washington, D.C. outside the hotel and the National Mall. Any trip threads not taking place in either of those areas go here.
Jump to
- Important
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- ↳ The Living
- ↳ The Dead
- ↳ The Research Station (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Quarters (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Sleeping Quarters (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Dining Area (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Quarters Basement
- ↳ Infirmary (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Correctional (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Research Lab (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Recreation (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Rec Room (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Gym (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Garages (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Listening Station (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Underground Tunnels (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Wilderness
- ↳ The Snowfield
- ↳ Tundra Forest
- ↳ Frozen Lake
- ↳ The Campground
- ↳ The Old Road
- ↳ Abandoned Trapping Camp
- ↳ The Mountain
- ↳ Upper Mountain Pass (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Hot Spring
- ↳ Lower Mountain Pass
- ↳ The Cave (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Mining Town
- ↳ Housing
- ↳ The Hunting Lodge Bar
- ↳ The Church
- ↳ The Hidden Cellar
- ↳ The Graveyard
- ↳ The Sheriff's Office
- ↳ The Mine (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Foreman’s Office (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Workers' Changing Room (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Mineral Processing (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Shoreline (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Rocky Beach (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Downed Plane (DANGER ZONE)
- V8 Pregame
- ↳ V8 Meanwhile
- ↳ Memories from the Past
- ↳ John Endecott Memorial Academy
- ↳ Administrative Wing
- ↳ The Hallways
- ↳ Endecott Cafeteria
- ↳ Memorial Library
- ↳ Creativity Wing
- ↳ Practical Workshop
- ↳ Imagination Center
- ↳ Performance Hub
- ↳ Recreation Wing
- ↳ Playing Field
- ↳ Gym and Auditorium
- ↳ Ingenuity Wing
- ↳ The Classrooms
- ↳ Computer Plaza
- ↳ Experimental Laboratory
- ↳ Residential Areas
- ↳ West Salem
- ↳ Suburban Housing
- ↳ Downtown Salem
- ↳ The Paul Revere Memorial Museum
- ↳ Essex Street
- ↳ Washington Square
- ↳ Slice Slice Baby
- ↳ Salem Mall
- ↳ Upper Floor
- ↳ Lower Floor
- ↳ The Salem Willows
- ↳ The Park
- ↳ The Arcade at the Willows
- ↳ Salem Harbor
- ↳ Greater Boston Area
- ↳ Boston
- ↳ Events/Other
- ↳ John Endecott Memorial Academy Homecoming
- ↳ Before Homecoming
- ↳ Homecoming
- ↳ After Homecoming
- ↳ Message Boards, Social Media, & Other
- ↳ V8 Final Applications
- ↳ V8 Applications
- ↳ Approved Characters
- ↳ Forfeited and Abandoned Characters
- ↳ V8 Pregame Character Registration
- ↳ V8 Pregame Character Registration
- ↳ V8 Pregame NPC Roster
- ↳ Approved Characters
- ↳ Forfeited and Abandoned Characters
- ↳ V8 Pregame Planning
- The V7 Corner
- ↳ The Version 7 Archive
- ↳ V7 Island
- ↳ V7 Student Roster
- ↳ The Living
- ↳ The Dead
- ↳ The Inner Circle
- ↳ The Manor House
- ↳ Leadership Houses
- ↳ The Gardens
- ↳ The Cliffside (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Temple
- ↳ The Memorial Garden
- ↳ The Cliff
- ↳ The Woodlands (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Woods
- ↳ Nature's Lookout
- ↳ The Art Exhibition
- ↳ The Shoe Tree
- ↳ The Waterfall (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Waterfall Overlook
- ↳ Waterfall Cave
- ↳ The Menagerie (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Aviary
- ↳ Stables
- ↳ Menagerie
- ↳ Serenity Lake (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Lake
- ↳ The Serenity Circle
- ↳ The Upper Wilds (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Upper Wilderness
- ↳ The Rice Paddies
- ↳ The Village (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ East Housing
- ↳ West Housing
- ↳ Infirmary
- ↳ The Commissary
- ↳ The Lower Wilds (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ Lower Wilderness
- ↳ The Beach
- ↳ Bay Area (DANGER ZONE)
- ↳ The Bay
- ↳ The Pier
- ↳ Capsized Yacht
- ↳ Ruined Lighthouse
- ↳ V7 Pregame Archive
- ↳ V7 Pregame
- ↳ V7 Final Applications
- ↳ V7 Applications
- ↳ Approved Characters
- ↳ Forfeited and Abandoned Characters
- ↳ George Hunter High School
- ↳ Athletics Building
- ↳ Playing Fields
- ↳ Indoor Courts
- ↳ Gym
- ↳ Pool
- ↳ Main Building
- ↳ Computer Labs
- ↳ Science Labs
- ↳ Cafeteria
- ↳ Library
- ↳ Math Department
- ↳ English Department
- ↳ Art Block
- ↳ Music Rooms
- ↳ Auditorium
- ↳ Drama Room
- ↳ Art Rooms
- ↳ Residential Areas
- ↳ The Gated Community
- ↳ Urban Housing
- ↳ North Side
- ↳ Amatore's Bar and Grille
- ↳ 34th Street
- ↳ Off The Record
- ↳ The Blue House Cafe and Diner
- ↳ Downtown
- ↳ Harrison Central Mall
- ↳ Chattanooga Museums
- ↳ The Zoo
- ↳ The Riverbank Aquarium
- ↳ The Riverfront
- ↳ Riverside Trail
- ↳ Foot Bridge
- ↳ Waterfront Recreation Area
- ↳ Around Town
- ↳ Mountain Foothills Park
- ↳ Heritage Military Park
- ↳ Winnepesaukah Caverns
- ↳ Events/Other
- ↳ Outside the City Limits
- ↳ George Hunter High Prom
- ↳ Before Prom
- ↳ Prom
- ↳ After Prom
- ↳ George Hunter High Senior Trip
- ↳ The Hotel
- ↳ The National Mall
- ↳ Around The City
- ↳ Memories from the Past
- ↳ V7 Pregame Character Registration
- ↳ V7 Pregame Character Registration
- ↳ V7 Pregame NPC Roster
- ↳ Approved Characters
- ↳ Forfeited and Abandoned Characters
- ↳ V7 Pregame Planning
- ↳ V7 Meanwhile
- The V6 Corner
- ↳ The Version 6 Archive
- ↳ V6 Student Roster
- ↳ The Living
- ↳ The Dead
- ↳ V6 Announcements
- ↳ Intensive Treatment Rooms
- ↳ Lobotomy Lab
- ↳ Electroshock Therapy
- ↳ Water Treatment
- ↳ Regular Treatment Rooms
- ↳ Group Therapy
- ↳ One-on-one Therapy
- ↳ Art Therapy
- ↳ The Wards
- ↳ Regular Wards
- ↳ Intensive Care Wards
- ↳ Solitary Confinement
- ↳ Social Areas
- ↳ The Cafeteria
- ↳ The Asylum Library
- ↳ Peaceful Meadows Crematorium
- ↳ Crematorium Chapel
- ↳ Crematorium Gardens
- ↳ Staff Area
- ↳ Doctors' Offices
- ↳ Staff Lounge
- ↳ Storage Closet
- ↳ Asylum Exterior
- ↳ The Bell Tower
- ↳ The Rooftop
- ↳ The Cove
- ↳ Northwest Cliffs
- ↳ The Supply Depot
- ↳ Docks
- ↳ The Storehouse
- ↳ The Helipad
- ↳ Shoreline
- ↳ The Staff Housing Block
- ↳ The Hunting Cabin
- ↳ The Staff Dormitories A Block
- ↳ The Staff Dormitories B Block
- ↳ The Connecting Bridge
- ↳ Utilities Compound
- ↳ The Warehouse
- ↳ The Radio Tower
- ↳ Vehicle Depot
- ↳ The Slopes
- ↳ Staff Social Areas
- ↳ The Library
- ↳ The Pub
- ↳ The Gym
- ↳ V6 Pregame Archive
- ↳ V6 Pregame Student Roster
- ↳ V6 NPC Roster
- ↳ Cochise High School
- ↳ Beale Library
- ↳ Cafeteria
- ↳ Athletics
- ↳ Grounds
- ↳ East Wing
- ↳ West Wing
- ↳ Historic Downtown
- ↳ Diamondback Ice Cream Parlor
- ↳ Larson's Comics and Games
- ↳ Kingman Museum of Art and History
- ↳ Main Street
- ↳ Cheryl's
- ↳ Around Town
- ↳ Liberty Park
- ↳ Sumac Park
- ↳ Desert Plains Skate Park
- ↳ Strikeout Bowling Alley
- ↳ Mannie's Mini Golf
- ↳ The Neighborhood
- ↳ Events/Other
- ↳ Beyond the Town Border
- ↳ Sadie Hawkins Dance
- ↳ Before the Dance
- ↳ At the Dance
- ↳ After the Dance
- ↳ Memories from the Past
- ↳ V6 Meanwhile...
- The V5 Corner
- ↳ The Version 5 Archive
- ↳ V5 Announcements
- ↳ V5 Student Roster
- ↳ Woodlands
- ↳ The Peak Clearing
- ↳ Forgotten Campsite
- ↳ The Woods
- ↳ Nuclear Plant
- ↳ Parking Garage
- ↳ The Reactors
- ↳ Offices
- ↳ Nuclear Living Site
- ↳ East Living Quarters
- ↳ The Strip
- ↳ West Living Quarters
- ↳ The Airstrip
- ↳ The Terminal
- ↳ The Hangar
- ↳ The Tower
- ↳ Western Beach
- ↳ Dead Man's Grotto
- ↳ Drowned Freighter
- ↳ Shelson's Beach
- ↳ The Inland Lagoon
- ↳ Southern Town
- ↳ The Overpass
- ↳ The Streets
- ↳ Apartment Complexes
- ↳ Northern Town
- ↳ Gated Community
- ↳ The Quad
- ↳ Mansions
- ↳ Central Park
- ↳ Duck Pond
- ↳ Central Park (Endgame)
- ↳ School Buildings
- ↳ The Elementary School
- ↳ School Grounds
- ↳ The High School
- ↳ The Shopping Center
- ↳ Bottom Floor
- ↳ Top Floor
- ↳ Hotel
- ↳ The Lobby
- ↳ The Pools
- ↳ The Lounge
- ↳ Upper Levels
- ↳ The Hospital
- ↳ Patient Care
- ↳ Maternity and Children's
- ↳ Reception and Lobby
- ↳ The Shipping Yard
- ↳ Storage Yard
- ↳ The Docks
- ↳ Loading Dock and Office
- ↳ Eastern Inlet
- ↳ Scenic Overlook
- ↳ Abandoned Harbor
- ↳ Aviary
- ↳ Zen Garden
- ↳ Courtyard
- ↳ Golf Course
- ↳ The Clubhouse
- ↳ The Greens
- ↳ Amusement Park
- ↳ Haunted House
- ↳ Roller Coaster
- ↳ Central Grounds
- ↳ Homestead
- ↳ Dilapidated Barn
- ↳ Greenhouse
- ↳ Wheat Fields
- ↳ Farmhouse
- ↳ Northern Coast
- ↳ The Zipline Attraction
- ↳ Bike Trails
- ↳ The Ropes Course
- ↳ Lighthouse Point
- ↳ The Cove
- ↳ The Lighthouse
- ↳ Captain's Cliffs
- ↳ V5 Pregame Archive
- ↳ V5 Pregame Student Roster
- ↳ V5 NPC Roster
- ↳ Aurora High School
- ↳ Math Hall
- ↳ Social Studies Hall
- ↳ English Hall
- ↳ Electives Hall
- ↳ Library
- ↳ Gymnasium
- ↳ Lunch Room
- ↳ Auditorium
- ↳ Student Center
- ↳ Other Hallways
- ↳ Athletic Fields
- ↳ Parking Lot
- ↳ Campus
- ↳ Science Hall
- ↳ The Castle
- ↳ Batting Cages
- ↳ Go Karts
- ↳ The Maze
- ↳ Castle Interior: Floor One
- ↳ Castle Interior: Floor Two
- ↳ Castle Interior: Floor Three
- ↳ Miniature Golf
- ↳ Lone Pine Mall
- ↳ Eastern End
- ↳ Food Court
- ↳ Movie Theater
- ↳ Western End
- ↳ Around Town
- ↳ The Around the Clock Diner
- ↳ Centennial Park
- ↳ Quik Stop
- ↳ The Neighborhood
- ↳ The Waterfront
- ↳ Events/Other
- ↳ Aurora Prom
- ↳ After Prom
- ↳ Before Prom
- ↳ Prom
- ↳ Memories (The Past)
- ↳ V5 Meanwhile...
- The V4 Corner
- ↳ The Version 4 Archive
- ↳ V4 Announcements
- ↳ V4 Student Roster
- ↳ Arthro Taskforce
- ↳ Town Center
- ↳ The Residential Area
- ↳ The Beach: East
- ↳ The Beach: North
- ↳ Destroyed Cell Phone Tower
- ↳ The Docks
- ↳ The Felled Forest: North
- ↳ The Felled Forest: South
- ↳ The Fun Fair
- ↳ Gazebo
- ↳ The Greens
- ↳ The Groundskeeper's Hut
- ↳ Hall of Mirrors
- ↳ The Infirmary
- ↳ The Key
- ↳ The Lighthouse
- ↳ The Logging Road
- ↳ The Mansion
- ↳ The Mine
- ↳ The Mountain
- ↳ Northern Cliffs
- ↳ The Parish
- ↳ The Ranger Station
- ↳ The Sawmill
- ↳ Southern Cliffs
- ↳ The Swamp
- ↳ The Tunnels
- ↳ The Warehouse
- ↳ The Woods: Coastal
- ↳ The Woods: Inland
- ↳ The Woods: South-Eastern
- ↳ V4 Pregame Archive
- ↳ V4 Pregame Student Roster
- ↳ V4 NPC Roster
- ↳ V4 Abandoned Character Roster
- ↳ Bayview Secondary School
- ↳ Math Wing
- ↳ Gymnasium
- ↳ Library
- ↳ Swimming Pool
- ↳ Drama Room
- ↳ Language Arts Wing
- ↳ The Cafetorium
- ↳ Campus
- ↳ Science Department
- ↳ The Promenade
- ↳ Level One
- ↳ Level Two
- ↳ Level Three
- ↳ The Ice Skating Rink
- ↳ The Food Court
- ↳ The Parking Garage
- ↳ The Back Alley
- ↳ Steve Carlson Arena
- ↳ Lobby
- ↳ Stands
- ↳ Gerry's Pro Shop
- ↳ Dressing Rooms
- ↳ The Ice
- ↳ Around Town (V4)
- ↳ The Varsity
- ↳ Sunset Cinema
- ↳ All-Star Bowling
- ↳ Events
- ↳ Bayview Prom
- ↳ Post-Prom
- ↳ Prom Hall
- ↳ Pre-Prom
- ↳ Memories from the Past (V4)
- ↳ V4 Post-Game
- The V3 Corner
- ↳ The Version 3 Archive
- ↳ V3 Announcements
- ↳ V3 Student Roster
- ↳ Rundown Hospital
- ↳ Small Cottage
- ↳ Overgrown Trail
- ↳ The Mess Hall
- ↳ The Barracks
- ↳ Northern Coast
- ↳ Sea Cliffs
- ↳ The Lagoon
- ↳ The Quarry
- ↳ Lookout Tower
- ↳ Babbling Brook
- ↳ The Marsh
- ↳ Field of Flowers
- ↳ Hollow Tree
- ↳ The Chapel
- ↳ Swinging Bridge
- ↳ The Caves
- ↳ Storehouse
- ↳ The Graveyard
- ↳ Jailhouse
- ↳ The Showers
- ↳ The Jungle
- ↳ Airfield
- ↳ The Plot Twist
- ↳ Proving Grounds
- ↳ The Armory
- ↳ Dilapidated Barracks
- ↳ Jungle
- ↳ The Coastline
- ↳ V3 Pregame Archive
- ↳ V3 Pregame Student Roster
- ↳ V3 NPC Roster
- ↳ Southridge Math Wing
- ↳ Southridge Science Wing
- ↳ Southridge Poly-Sci Wing
- ↳ Southridge English Wing
- ↳ Southridge Library
- ↳ Southridge Cafeteria
- ↳ Southridge Fine Arts Building
- ↳ Southridge Gymnasium
- ↳ Southridge Campus
- ↳ Stonegate Island
- ↳ Oceanview Terrace
- ↳ Village Harbor
- ↳ The Links At Village Harbor
- ↳ Clifton Court
- ↳ Highland Hills Shopping Mall
- ↳ Bryan's Bowl-a-Rama
- ↳ Carmike Cinema
- ↳ Shooters
- ↳ The Beach (V3 Pregame)
- ↳ The City of Highland Beach
- ↳ Memories from the Past (V3)
- The V2 Corner
- ↳ The Version 2 Archive
- ↳ V2 Student Roster
- ↳ V2 Announcements
- ↳ Mountain Ranch
- ↳ The River
- ↳ The Cliffs
- ↳ The Forest
- ↳ Wheat Fields
- ↳ Mansion Ruins
- ↳ The Church
- ↳ The Farmhouse
- ↳ The Lighthouse
- ↳ Western Shore
- ↳ The Pagoda
- ↳ The Mall
- ↳ Residential District
- ↳ School Building
- ↳ The Park
- ↳ Botanical Garden
- ↳ The Hotel
- ↳ Industrial District
- ↳ The Hospital
- ↳ The Expressway
- ↳ Sewer System
- ↳ V2 Pregame Archive
- ↳ V2 Pregame Student Roster
- ↳ Hobbsborough High School
- ↳ P.J. Gilroy Academy
- ↳ Franklyn Senior School
- ↳ Bathurst High School
- ↳ Downtown
- ↳ Central Mall
- ↳ Midway Bowling Alley
- ↳ South 62nd Street
- ↳ Benson's Bar and Grill
- ↳ Performing Arts Center
- ↳ Sweet Bay Coffee
- ↳ Urban Commercial Area
- ↳ Parkway Shopping Plaza
- ↳ The Drive-In
- ↳ Major Taylor Skate Park
- ↳ The Rec Center
- ↳ The Seaside
- ↳ Residential Districts
- ↳ Briarwood Apartment Complex
- ↳ Kensington Heights
- ↳ Tilles Court
- ↳ Carrington Pointe
- ↳ The Distant Past
- The V1 Corner
- ↳ The Version 1 Archive
- ↳ Announcements
- ↳ V1 Character Roster
- ↳ Makeshift Hospital
- ↳ Helicopter Crash Site
- ↳ Small House
- ↳ Bamboo Coppice
- ↳ Hillside Cliff
- ↳ Dirt Path
- ↳ The Well
- ↳ The River
- ↳ Gazebo
- ↳ Waterfall
- ↳ Lookout Point
- ↳ Eastern Shore
- ↳ The Ravine
- ↳ School Building
- ↳ Old Warehouse
- ↳ Dark Caves
- ↳ The Lighthouse
- ↳ Bathroom Facility
- ↳ The Woods
- ↳ V1 AUs and Discussion