Half in, half out of the bus stop, watching the water build up in my shoes and trying exceptionally hard not to notice just how heavily the rain is pouring down or the number of people that are waiting for the same delayed bus. The music calming me through my oversized headphones lets me forget the weight of my shopping bags, the damp of my clothing, and the growl of my stomach. A body shifts and leaves the bus stop, revealing another behind it. He's unobviously handsome,with enormous blue eyes and a serious, almost sad expression etched into his face. Pale skin, dark hair. He's curiously observing the people around us. I move aside to let a woman stand in the shelter and catch his eye as I do so. Goosebumps form and a little flutter in my stomach replaces the feeling of hunger. We throw glances back and forth, missing one another only just.




b) The bus finaly turns up, completely stuffed with people. There's space right up the front for one or two more. We both make it on, standing right opposite one another. Condensation, bodies, and never ending red lights. He catches my gaze, smiling. I mimick this and blush. Typical! What feels like eternity later we reach my stop, I'm a couple of steps away from the bus dodging puddles and untangeling myself from the shopping bags and headphone cables he appears next to me. "hi" he says, smiling again. "hello" I respond.


a) The bus finaly turns up, completely stuffed with people. There's space right up the front for one or two more. We both make it on, standing right opposite one another. Condensation, bodies, and never ending red lights. He catches my gaze, smiling. I mimick this and blush. Typical! What feels like eternity later we reach my stop, I slowly get off, hoping he'll make a move. Nothing.
Why does this feel so familiar? So often there are moments like this, sparks flying, hearts beating faster; chemistry. And yet we don't speak of it, we don't lose ourselves in the moment, skip our stop to ask for a number or steal a kiss. Not in the real world.