Generated prompt of the day: Secret

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It was a little hot to be wearing a jacket, but Jesse didn't dare take it off. She rolled up her sleeves for some relief from the heat, but kept the hood over her head. The last thing she wanted, was for somebody to recognise her.

A few people that walked past eyed her suspiciously. Jesse guessed that she probably looked quite shady by hiding her identity, but that wasn't going to stop her.

Trying to take a calm bus trip wasn't easy, not when you're a member of the Order. It only took one person to see her face, for the whole town to crowd her. Oh how she wished there was a bus straight between Beacontown and Redstonia. But no – she had to get off at this place first. Risk increased by ten times.

Jesse felt relieved when the bus pulled up, everybody at the stop rushing to get in. Jesse hung back slightly, praying that she'd still be able to get herself an open seat.

For once, Jesse liked this. Being pushed between other people, trying to squeeze through the crowd, various people rudely bumping against her. It sounded weird to like something like this, but honestly she was fed up of people making way for her. Being polite as if she was some sort of queen or something. Sometimes she just wanted to be treated like a normal person.

Jesse spotted an open seat at one of the windows, quickly claiming it for herself. She felt sweat building up on her face, the bus being even hotter than outside. Of course she couldn't risk letting the hood of her jacket down, not if she didn't want excited fans crowding her.

Jesse leaned her head against the window, looking out at the buildings, waiting for the bus to start moving. She fanned her face with her hand, closing her eyes for a moment.

"Excuse me?"

Jesse opened her eyes, slightly looking to the side while making sure the shadow from her hood hid her face. There was a man standing beside her.

"Could I have this seat?" He asked, gesturing towards the spot where Jesse had dumped her bag.

She only nodded, suppressing a groan of irritation before picking her bag off the seat. The man said a quick 'thanks', sitting down. Jesse shuffled slightly closer to the window, pulling her hood down further as she looked outside. Slowly the buildings starting moving past, the bus finally getting going.

"You also heading to Redstonia for the Order?" The man enthusiastically asked Jesse.

"The Order?" Jesse asked, trying to keep her voice low – just in case he was a Beacontowner that knew what she sounded like. "What do you mean? There's only one member from the Order in Redstonia."

"Oh, so you haven't heard!" The man replied, his eyes twinkling with excitement. "There's rumours that the Order of the Stone are meeting up in Redstonia this year!"

Jesse clenched her fists. Every year the Order met up again for a few days, to catch up and spend some time together. Most of the time it's in Beacontown, but this year they were meeting up in Redstonia. How the hell did this guy find out?

"Where did you hear that?" Jesse asked, trying not to show the frustration. "And why are you heading to Redstonia for this event?"

"Rumours that went through town." The man explained. "Most people on this bus are probably heading there for that reason, I am surprised you aren't! The Order are rarely together these days, of course everybody is head over heals to see them meeting up again. Aren't you excited to hear this?"

"Listen." Jesse said, sitting up in her chair and glaring over at the man. She quickly lowered her gaze to hide her eyes, relieved that he didn't recognise her. "Why can't the Order meet up as friends, without having the whole world crowd them?"

"They are our heroes." The man said, sounding astonished. "Do you not like them?"

Jesse snorted. "I have my respect for the Order, but I also understand that they are people. Normal people, with lives. Can't they have one shred of time for themselves?"

"Why do you care so much?" The man asked, his voice now dropping to an annoyed mumble. It seemed to be a situation of 'how could this brat spoil my fun?'

"I respect other people's privacy." Jesse said through gritted teeth. "Just like any normal person, I'm sure, the Order doesn't appreciate being crowded and bombarded by fans wherever they go. They too want to spend time with each other, as friends, without having the whole world trace their every step." She hated that she kept having to look down while speaking to the guy. She desperately wanted to make eye contact and give him a nasty scowl.

"Would you like it if people followed you around wherever you went, even if you're just trying to go about your normal every day life?"

"But their famous-"

"And they never asked to be." The man fell silent at these words.

"The Order were normal people, and they were merely fighting for their own lives. They never asked the whole world to worship them for what they did."

"How do you know that?" The man challenged.

"I know that, because it's common sense." Jesse spat, turning back to the window. "I can't stand people like you, crazed fans who can't even let a couple of normal people live their lives."

It was quiet between the two of them for a while. Jesse realised she probably went a little overboard, but the man's words had just made her snap. She's never had the heart to say those words to a fan's face before. Sure made it a hell of a lot easier that he didn't know who she was.

"Why do you act so protective? Towards the Order?" The man eventually asked.

"Maybe I just see the truth behind their expressions." Jesse replied. "I sympathize. Never being able to be who you are, just because the public know your every move? That has got to be crap, nobody deserves that."

"You speak sense." The man finally said. "It's just that the Order did so much for the world, if it wasn't for them the world wouldn't even be here..."

"That doesn't make it OK." Jesse's reply was simple and blunt.

"I guess it doesn't." The man replied softly. "Too bad I'm already on my way to Redstonia."

Jesse was amazed. Had her little outburst actually changed this man's mind? Woah,  some people were easily moveable.

"So, what are you heading to Redstonia for then?" The man replied. "You're probably the only person on this bus who isn't going there for the Order."

A small smiled played on Jesse's lips, if only he knew how wrong he was. "Not much... just visiting some friends."

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My first thought at "Secret" was Jesse hiding the fact that she didn't like the fame she got from being the Wither Slayer. And then I got this idea; what if a part of Jesse just snapped and she unintentionally opened up about that secret to a complete stranger.

I want to do a rewrite of this some day, put more thought and effort into it so it doesn't sound like it was made up, written, completed and posted on the same day. (Which is literally what this challenge is XD)

Also, can you all believe there's only 5 days left of this month and thus, only 5 days left of the challenge? Definitely going to be doing another challenge at some point, I love it a lot. This challenge is pretty hard after a while, I have to admit. But I feel like it's amazing practice, a fun way to push yourself to improve. Having to think of a one shot on the day you receive the prompt for it, as well as fully complete it? Not always easy, but a great exercise. 

Anyhow, Imma stop ranting and go. I'll see you all tomorrow with whatever the word generator spits out next!