Last Stop (Park Jinyoung)

two

t w o

2 0 1 4

I stood at the curb of the footpath as bus 356 approached the stop.

I stepped back when it neared, and searched my bag for the card.

I greeted the bus driver with a smile and got on the bus.

Thankfully, it wasn't as full as yesterday and a few empty seats dotted the bus.

I collapsed on single-seat towards the back of the bus, as a long exhausted sigh left me.

Second days are always hard, the job gets better with every passing day.

I'd say work was fun; the staff were cool and they always get amazed when they hear me talk in three languages. I can't wait till it gets old, and they stop asking me how to say "son of a bitch" in Hindi and English.

Just as the bus was about to leave, someone drummed against the side again.

It was almost the same as yesterday, except today he was dressed differently. Today his built body was dressed in a dark blue sweater over a shirt, and black pants. He wore stylish nerd glasses, and his hair was naturally parted at the side. This boy was really good looking, like the kind of guys that were idols and actors.

I let out an involuntary scuff, as I thought about him. He probably has a gorgeous girlfriend, and they post aesthetic photos on Instagram.

I shake my head in self-disappointment, at that thought. I'm not normally like this, I don't judge people like this. I frown at my immature behaviour and stare out at the reddish-yellow lights rushing past us.

This was really a beautiful place, and luckily I could admire it for a whole hour.

Slowly, the bus began to get filled with every stop. A few people were standing around, and all the seats were full by now.

It was almost as if fate and life loved to put me in awkward positions.

On the next stop, an old lady enters the bus struggling with a big red bag. I looked around to see no one notice the fragile-looking lady standing in the front. It felt as if it was on me, as we made eye-contact.

I didn't mind giving my seat up, but I didn't know how to do it without being awkward and a complete mess.

I smiled and nodded at her.

I exaggeratedly grabbed the straps of my bag, letting her know I was getting up. When I saw her move towards me, I let out a sigh of relief that she understood and this is going pretty smoothly.

She stopped in front of me, as I slipped out of the seat. I stood a few steps away from the seat, and grabbed the nearest pole, leaning on it for support, making sure not to invade anyone's space.

Suddenly, the bus reigned on its brakes; moving everyone forward for a second before throwing us backwards. It was like a domino with all the people standing, each falling into the person behind them.

I closed my eyes, getting ready for the impact. I felt my body collide with the person behind me as the person in front crashed into mine. I cringed as the person in front didn't move off me, so I couldn't get off the person I was on.

I opened my eyes and looked back to see a familiar shade of blue. I felt my cheeks get heated as I looked up to see absolute beauty. My breath got caught at the back of my throat, as my heartbeat picked up.

Bloody hormones.

His eyes gazed at me, not looking away. That's when I saw it; his eyes they were so dark, yet so clear. It was glistening and shining with a million stars. It was almost as if his eyes and gaze had layers; infinite layers that needed to be explored.

I cast my eyes away from his intense ones and looked at the rest of his face. Even close up he was good looking, maybe close up he was beautiful, than anything else really. He had a perfect nose, soft pink lips, and skin clear like a hot summer day's sky.

He was perfect.

I felt the weight of the person in front of me get lifted.

I turned towards them and gave them a small smile as they bowed their head in apology.

I got off the man of perfection and bowed my head keeping my eyes low.

"I'm sorry," a quiet voice left me, and my hands clasped in front of me nervously.

"It's okay." His deep soothing voice replied.

What isn't perfect about him?

I slightly bowed my head once again and reached for my pole again.

As I stepped away from him, that's when I noticed something resting on my waist.

I looked back to find the hands of the perfect stranger on my waist. 

I peered up at him. His face slightly flustered, as pink lightly coloured his cheeks.

"Sorry." He gulped, retreating his hand off me.

"It's okay, thank you." I smiled at him, timidly nodding my head letting him know it's okay.

I turned away from him and stared out the window.

Just like last time, I didn't look him at him for the rest of the way. Even when it was just us the two left on the bus. This time he sat closer, two rows on the opposite side of me today.

I didn't look at him though. Not when I thanked the bus driver, nor when I rushed out of the bus and into the store again.

I let out a nervous huff as I entered the bright store.

I've really got to stop this.