I decided to just deal with the situation, since I was stuck on the bus till I got back anyways, and got a book out of my bag to read. (Note: this is why keeping a book on you at all times is a good idea, or at least I thought.)
So engrossed in Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles, I didn't notice that the patrons on the bus had changed since I last looked up. Looking around to assess the new crowd, I notice that sitting right across the isle from me, facing me, is possibly the creepiest looking guy I've seen in at least a month. Stay with me...
I decide to refocus on the book figuring he'll get off the bus soon enough. Unfortunately, I wasn't sneaky enough, and he noticed my lapse in reading. Crap. So next I hear the ever-famous, and equally as-hated "Whatchya readin'?" To be polite I answered him, "Agatha Christie," without looking up from the page.
**Now, normally I'm a very friendly person. Yes, sometimes even to creepy people. However, it's completely different when I'm trying to read. I find it completely impossible to read and hold a coherent conversation at the same time. And believe me, in this specific situation, I would have rather read.**
Now, nothing I did regarding body language, word choice, or voice fluctuation invited further conversation. Such was my goal. He, however, completely missed this. So naturally; "What does she write?" followed my response. I figured that after explaining that I was reading a book that's 90 years old, he would lose interest in what I was reading, and hopefully lose interest in talking to me all together, because honestly, I just wanted to read my book and pretend that the creeper wasn't there.
Seeming to have lost him, I continued back to reading, which wasn't too difficult because I had never looked away from the book.
** I don't know about you, but when in a public place like a bus, or a coffee shop, etc, there are three things people do to signal that they are unapproachable. 1. They're wearing headphones. 2. They're on the phone. or 3. They're reading a book. I swear, this list should be posted in public places.**
He then proceeded to ignore my subtle-as-a-smoking-gun hints, and asked me if I was a student, what my major was, etc (all while I was still looking at the page of my book). At one point in time, even pretended to not to hear him, so he graciously waited till I turned the page in my book, and asked what my major was a second time...and louder. When it comes to people, I like to think I'm a tolerant individual... well, at least to their faces. (I don't think this CyRide Stranger is ever going find out that I wrote about him on my blog.) So I put up with his questions, although never once, actually inviting a conversation. It annoyed me, but didn't bother me... that is, until he asked his next question.
"...Soooo what are you up to this weekend?" (In traditional creeper fashion).
My response: "Oh hey! This is my stop!"
As I was stepping off the bus, I heard something that sounded like "Nice talking to you," or "Nice meeting you." But my mission was to just get off the damn bus. No need for pleasant farewells.
As the bus drove off, I noticed one small hitch in my desperate plan. I was nowhere near the stadium or my dorm. Looking around, I realized I was somewhere near the mall. Which is about three miles away from anywhere I wanted to be. So I did what all of our ancestors did at one point in time. I walked.
Ok, so I waled back to the mall which was about two city blocks away. (You didn't really think I was going to walk three miles in 20 degree weather did you?). Once I got to the mall I got on the first bus that had stops on Lincoln Way, which is the street my building is on.
I was supposed to meet the group going to Kiln' Time at the front hall desk, with my car in the parking lot at 7:15. By the time I walked into the building... it was 8:20.
So here's to another night's festivities ruined because I have some of the worst luck and people are weird.
Next time I'm answering "No hablo Inglés."