;broken

one

;his eyes held the universe yet not once did they meet mine.

the school bus, with its faded yellow exterior, spluttered along the high street, pausing every few minutes for a gasp of air whilst passengers clambered on board. it began filling until there was only the sound of obnoxious screams to be heard across the confined vehicle. it was cluttered. cramped. I was suffocating in the thick, humid air unable to breathe. I was in a prison. a prison full of people with the same monotone expressions plastered on their faces. I could tell that they didn't want to be here either. no one did. their eyes were bleary, tiredness running through their veins rather than blood. because truth be told, nobody was really "alive" here. it didn't seem like they wanted to be.

we began our journey across the black, sleek tarmac road passing the hazy blur of trees that stood tall amongst the shrubs and bushes. seats and windows were shaking with every bump we came across on this ragged road. the rain beat onto the roof. the water cascaded down drenching passer-by's in the cold water. despite the constant painstaking shouting of these children, I took comfort in watching the luminous white orb standing in the sky painted with stars.

the crisp late-September air bit my throat as the doors creaked open once more. this time, allowing a stranger on board. I have never seen him before but oh my, is he beautiful. as he stepped in, everyone's gaze turned towards him. I don't blame them. do angels really exist? I was in a state of nerves, crumbling further into my seat with every step he took. approaching me. towards me.

he took the vacant seat to my left. I looked up to see a complete angel. how was he even real? I was screaming internally, hoping he wont engage in conversation. I would ruin everything. like I always do.

"hi," the stranger began to speak. well, this wasn't gonna end well.