Something's off

The next morning Jenny and Jason woke up late. This day had started off cloudier than the other days, making the morning a bit colder and misleading in terms of how late it was. The darker start of the day caused Jenny and Jason to feel like it was earlier than it actually was. Having stayed up till quite late and enjoying the warmth of the bed and the warmth they were providing one another, made them stay in bed a lot longer than they had initially planned. When Jenny woke up with that "something's off"/"I'm forgetting something" kind of feeling. She was thinking she was feeling way too well rested for her to be waking up in time for breakfast. Especially considering what time they had gotten to bed last night. Jenny was anything but a morning person, so they would usually make it just in time for the breakfast buffet and that was when they got into bed somewhat on time.

Usually it wouldn't really matter what time they got up or if they would miss the hotel breakfast, but today they were supposed to be meeting up with her entire family. They would go visit the famous flower gardens at "Keukenhof" after which everyone would go eat at Jenny's mother's house. They had been using the in-flow of light as a way of knowing if it was time to wake up. Almost serving as a wake-up light, like one could find on certain alarm types. She had been been lying too comfortably in Jason's arms, when the thought occurred to her that they had forgotten to set an alarm. She figured the slightly open curtains would do the trick as well, like it had done the days before. But today of all days, when they were counting on this back up, it had failed them. This visit was important because Jenny's family had organised this as a welcome for Jason and as a way to let everyone spend some time getting to know him, including the people that they hadn't visited among which her many cousins and younger relatives.

So, when Jenny reached for her phone and saw the time, she instantly shot up and was wide awake. Her abrupt movements woke Jason up as well. Not realizing the time, he responded "What are you being so jumpy for so early in the morning? Get back to bed." Jenny had hurried out of bed and was cursing under her breath, when she said "It's not early, It's cloudy. Get up before we are late. Don't let the lack of light mislead you. If we hurry, we might still make it." Still a bit groggy, Jason who was unwilling to get out of bed asked, "What time is it?". "Stop dilly dallying Jason! It's past 11:30 already. If we want to make it there by one, we have to be out at the bus stop by twelve sharp." Hearing the time, Jason's eyes shot open as well and he threw the blankets off his body. He too started cursing as he hurried to get dressed. He was jumping into his jeans, while Jenny was washing her face. She brushed her hair, while he put on a shirt. With rushed and hectic motions, they got ready in record speed and headed down to the lobby and out to the bus stop.

Lucky for them, there was a bakery that sold pre-made sandwiches. So, while Jenny was tasked with keeping an eye on the bus, Jason ran across the street into the bakery to grab them a breakfast and lunch in one. Once they would go into the world-famous tulip garden, they would have no opportunity to find somewhere to eat. Right after the Keukenhof, they would visit the adjacent castle, with the same name, before heading straight back to her mother's home for dinner. So, if they wanted anything to eat till dinner, now was the time. Jason still hadn't returned when Jenny saw the bright coloured bus come around the corner. She kept glancing back and forth between the door of the bakery and the fast-approaching bus. Anxiously she held out her hand to let the driver know she wanted to board that bus. The blinker turned on and the bus started decreasing in speed. When it came to a stop and the doors of the bus opened, Jason was still nowhere in sight. Jenny started worrying. She needed to stall the bus. Jason couldn't be taking too long anymore. He could be here any minute. So, she had to try and buy him some time.

While she was contemplating what to do, the bus driver started getting impatient. "Miss are you getting on or not? I am already behind schedule." Jenny woke up from her daze and said "Oh yes, sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment." With one foot on the bus and one foot still on the sidewalk of the bus stop Jenny said, "Let me look for my bus pass. I had it just a moment ago." with an awkward smile. She started rummaging through her purse for the so-called bus pass that was staring at her from the special pocket on the inside, while trying to avoid the annoyed eyes of the driver. The bus driver sighed as he saw the seconds tick away and the time he was delayed, increase. "Miss get on or get off. You can look for your bus pass after you get on. If you haven't found it by the next stop, you can buy a ticket or get off."

Just as she was about to get her other foot out of the bus and let the bus drive away, she was startled by Jason putting his arm around her shoulders suddenly. Completely out of breath he said "I'm here! I'm here. Let's go." The bus driver finally understanding Jenny's weird behaviour shook his head and said "Now that your boyfriend is here, can we finally go? I am already two minutes delayed because of you two." Jenny and Jason quickly got on and apologized as Jenny bleeped two bus passes to pay for their rides and they walked past the judgy eyes of the other passengers to find a seat. Not waiting for them to sit down, the driver started up the bus again and rushed off in hopes of gaining back the time he had lost at this stop.