Take the bus

As Laurie tried to decide, a bus pulled up the stop where she stood. It was the exact route that would take her home, and she could try and beg her way into a free lift. It was worth a shot.

She stepped up to the door and approached the driver

"Uh, I'm really sorry... I lost my wallet... I just need to get home". Laurie flashed what she hoped was a pitiable smile. The driver stared at Laurie - or more specifically, Laurie's cleavage. Laurie blushed a deep scarlet. She stood there, letting him take in her body, before nodding her onto the bus.

There were only a few people aboard, mostly old ladies on the way back from the shop. Each of them glared at Laurie, in no doubt about how she had spent the last night. Laurie felt the humiliation building - her cheeks burned and she wished she could disappear. She sat at the back of the bus, hoping to pass the journey unnoticed.

At the next stop, a tall, fat man got on board the bus. Laurie knew at once she had caught his eye, and he walked quickly to a seat opposite her. Laurie stared at the floor. He was shabbily dressed - only a few years older than Laurie, but the sort of loser that she always felt uncomfortable talking to. She could hear his heavy breathing. Even without seeing him she could feel gaze on her, and felt more exposed than ever in the remains of her dress.

Laurie glanced up. He was transfixed, his eyes scanning her legs, her body, her face. He took up almost two seats, his legs spread, his gut poking out beneath his t-shirt. To her horror, Laurie saw a tent already forming in his trousers. She considered moving, but that would mean squeezing past him - she turned and stared out of the window instead. She crossed her legs and tried to show as little of her body as possible, but it was just impossible in the ragged outfit she wore.

The bus crawled through the city. After a few minutes, Laurie glanced again, and saw that the obese nerd was now fiddling with his phone at an awkward angle. As he moved it from side to side, it dawned on Laurie that he was taking photographs of her. His other hand was pushed deep into his pocket - she dreaded to think what he was doing. Laurie froze. What could she do? If she challenged him, made a scene... she had gotten on the bus for free and couldn't risk getting kicked off. Even if the police came to speak to him, she'd have to explain where she'd come from, which would inevitably mean Alex finding out. Laurie clenched her fists and looked away again, as the man continued to snap pictures of her exposed body.

Finally, the bus pulled up outside the student accommodation. The man had not moved, and continued to stare at her as she squeezed past him. She shuddered as she brushed against him, his stinking BO filling her nostrils. She dashed off the bus and into the halls of residence.

Laurie's keys were in her also handbag, so she had to ask the caretaker for a spare. He too took his opportunity to subject her to a barrage of sarcastic and creepy remarks, before letting her in. The first thing Laurie did was open her computer and message Alex. It was already noon, and she could see half a dozen anxious messages from her boyfriend. She paused for a second - maybe she should come clean? She had always said honesty was the best policy...

Hey babe, sorry I didn't get back to you last night - I left my phone in the club when I came home! I've just woken up now. I'll go and pick it up when it opens and come and see you this evening.

Oh well.