Read Love Condemned: Beginnings for Free Online Page B

men's room. She took her place in the line behind two girls that she hadn't noticed before. Blonde, both of them, and whispering excitedly in something that was supposed to resemble English. Miranda frowned, trying to catch a bit of the conversation to find out where they could be from.  
    ".. but really, try for him! He's cute... "  
    "Try and sit next to him, he's in the front of the bus, right behind the driver."  
    Miranda stared at them, a pinprick going through her heart when she thought about herself being abandoned from Adrian's side, either by these girls, or perhaps by Adrian himself. After all, blonde was supposed to be much more attrac tive than brown hair. She swallowed when the girls had both found a free toilet, being the last one in line. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror she stood next to. Was it just her, or did she look paler than usual? And her hair was a mess... how could anyone like her? 
    After using the toilet, she found herself in an empty restroom. The two joined sinks were both unoccupied, and Miranda set her bag on the ledge. She stowed away her vest in it and took out a hairbrush. Furiously, she brushed her hair with her headband between her teeth. She couldn't believe how she could be jealous when there was nothing to be jealous about. And the confusion that seemed to be turning into a routine wasn't the most welcome feeling in the world, either. 
    Miranda spent some time brushing her teeth and cleaning her face. It felt good to feel a little refreshed. When she left the loo, she saw that most people were already boarding the bus again. Her watch told her she had a couple of minutes left.  Not hungry,  she thought rebelliously, and walked past the department with food without giving it a second glance. Instead, she turned back to the bus with one cup of ice cappuccino in her hand and one in her bag. Caffeine and a massive dose of sugar was what she needed now. 
    "Miranda! I think you're the last one," said Alice, and nearly pushed her in the bus. She stumbled up the steps, trying to balance herself by grabbing a random pole, and looked up to go to her seat. Just before her, a pair of bare legs extending out from a short jean skirt turned right and into the seat that was supposed to be hers. Miranda cringed.   This isn't really happening.  Her heart dropped as she walked up the few steps and stared at the blonde girl that had thrown her blanket and pillow on the floor and was now doing her very best to flirt with Adrian. 
    Miranda had wanted to shout that was her seat, but the words just didn't seem to come out of her mouth. Her hand, which had been around the handle of her cyan colored bag, fell down to her side. Carefully, she glanced at the seat next to the second girl that was now empty. It was in the middle of the bus next to the aisle. After a second, she looked back at the girl that was now in her own seat and gazed at her challengingly. Instantly, Miranda was reminded of the reason why she had no girlfriends. They were mean, mean behind each other’s back, mean to your face, and mean to each other. It was always about a conquest for the best man. Well, this time, Miranda wasn't going to walk away without trying.
    "That's my seat," she said sternly, her jaws clenched together.
     

Chapter Nine
 
    Adrian had just finished eating a croissant and grabb ed some coffee for the trip. He walked over to the bus and expected to see Miranda sitting in her usual pose. As he started up the steps, he saw long legs that led to a short skirt. Adrian knew that they did not belong to Miranda, so he was not surprised to see that it was one of the blonde women he saw in line at the bathroom.
    “Uhm….I think that seat is taken.” Adrian tried to say politely. 
    The girl looked at him with a devilish grin, “It is taken by me now. Looks like your little friend was not interested in keeping you company any longer. Take a seat and I will entertain you.”
    Adrian looked around the bus