Official Description:
Riding the same bus every day, Edward and Bella get off to a bumpy start. She thinks he’s stuck-up; he thinks she’s shallow. Sometimes what seems like the wrong thing turns out to be exactly what you were waiting for. A FGB novella for mujisan.
Word Count: 25,630
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We all ride the bus, mulling over our lives and issues, and watching the other passengers along the way. Sometimes we talk to them, sometimes we listen in as they speak with others.
I happened upon this lovely short story and couldn’t stop reading. I felt like a voyeur, first listening in to Edward’s thoughts about taking an ordinary bus trip to class, watching other travelers, thinking about his classes and mostly about himself. A soldier just back from the war, Edward is uncomfortable with interactions with people and is busy assessing other passengers as if they are the enemy. Bella is also on the bus, trying to avoid the scrutiny of others, especially that guy with the reddish hair who looks like snob, while looking for a distraction from her family hardships by reading gossip mags and trashy romances.
They are each making assumptions about the other, based on their very limited interactions as they are both rather shy people who do their best to avoid attracting attention, and they are not too impressed by what they observe.
Pretty soon, it becomes apparent that Edward is avoiding his family, cutting off almost all contact. He is struggling with his feelings of being a disappointment to them, never really fitting in, but he still wants the love and connection of family. Emmett calls him on it.
“You’ve been shutting people out for years. Hell, Mom and Dad were worried sick the whole time you were there, but you were too much of a pussy to call or write. You fucking joined the Army to run away and then you want people to greet you at the airport with flags and a band?”
Bella is trying to make ends meet while working shifts at a coffee shop, caring for her dad who is off work recovering from an injury, and attending her classes. No wonder she needs to relax and lose herself in a cheap novel!
Their worlds collide when Edward overhears a distressing phone call from Charlie that upsets Bella on the bus, and Bella steps up in Edward’s defense when Jasper confronts him about his behavior in Bella’s coffee shop. Bella says that it takes “effort and patience to look beneath the surface,” to know who someone really is, and these two have finally made the first scratch, peeked inside just a little.
I loved how this story just bumped along, like the bus rides, stopping here and there along the way of getting to know each other, just like the street corner chapter titles. It is amazing how real people can get when you take the trouble to talk to them, make the effort to know them. Edward feels unloved and almost defective but never wants pity, and Bella has caring to spare. Bella has financial trouble and family responsibilities, and Edward wants to help, but Bella is very proud and won’t accept charity. They each have to work at getting past their hang-ups and insecurities, getting to know and appreciate each other along the way.
I don’t want to spoil the story for you, it is charming and touching and very well-written. And we can all use a reminder that sometimes we just need to open our eyes to the possibilities, because “Sometimes what seems like the wrong thing turns out to be exactly what you were waiting for.”
I fell hard and fast for this story and I have to admit, I was so sad when it ended after 7 chapters. I think I may have even gotten a little shouty-capped upset, lol. These authors pull you in fast with great characters and a lovely story and they’ll leave you wanting more the whole way through. I would absolutely love to see more of these two some time in the future. *hint hint*
In Transit is one of those stories that when you start reading it, you know it might rip your heart out. But you keep reading, because you just. can’t. stop.
I love lillybellis and profmom72, and together, they’re magical. I really like these characters, too.
Though we’d met at the restaurant, I convinced her to let me walk her home.
“You don’t have to walk me up.”
“I don’t mind.”
“I know, but if my dad senses your presence, you just might be subjected to the Charlie Swan interrogation. Trust me. You need to be prepped for that.”
“Well, then I’ll just have to say goodnight here, and maybe the next time we go out, you can help me get ready for that,” I said, reaching out for her hands to pull her closer. I didn’t really give her a chance to react before the space between us was eliminated. “Is this okay?” I whispered.
An almost imperceptible nod and a slight lick of her lips offered me permission to kiss her. I’d never been the kind of guy who cared much for fireworks, and after my tour, I didn’t think I ever would be. I’d had enough of the booms and loud cracks. The minute my mouth touched hers though, I couldn’t drown them out. I didn’t want to.
When I finally pulled back, she said, “Well I guess that answers that.”
“Answers what?”
“You’re going to laugh, but I wasn’t exactly sure this was a date.”
My head pulled back to check the seriousness of her expression. Clearly, she meant it.
“And you just figured it out now?”
“Um, well I had a few hunches earlier, but that sort of sealed the deal.”
“Are you sure you’re sure now? Or do you need more convincing?”
She snickered. “Well, I guess it could still have been a platonic good night kiss, right? In some cultures, kissing is a greeting ritual after all.”
“Mmm-hmm.” I put my mouth back on hers, and this time, there could be no question as to its intention.
Check out this story. It’s complete and a quick read. And it will stay with you, long after it’s done.
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