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Beep. "Hey...Linda, I'm on my way back. I'll get home in about..." I spoke into the phone, glancing at my watch, "In about an hour. Call me...if you need anything...yeah, call me back," I said, and cut the call, hoping she opens the voice message quickly. But knowing her, she wouldn't.
Linda, my roommate, and I never really got along, but we were stuck together because our families were really close, having to go to the same college and sharing an apartment.
I let out a deep breath, exhausted from today's busy events, and plug my earphones in, as I scroll down my playlist trying to find a song. Eventually I give up and press shuffle, as sadderdaze by the neighbourhood starts playing, while I make myself comfortable against the cold fabric of the bus seats. I look out the window and see the street lights twinkling brightly as we pass them by, while the people on the street walk in groups, chattering and laughing with each other.
I wished I could have a group of friends I could call my own. Or even just one friend. But no, I was stuck with Linda, and her boring group of self-absorbed idiots. 'Nope,' I thought to myself, 'Not going down that hole,' as I ran my fingers through my hair, lightly squeezing it and letting go, while I slump back into my seat.
After about a song and a half, we reached a bus stop, a group of people stumbled around waiting for the doors to open, so they could board it. But one certain girl, who looked about my age, caught my eye. She wore a yellow bucket hat, her red hair tucked underneath. The mystery girl slowly turned and caught me looking, instantly smiling at me, as I go red. 'What are you listening to?' she mouthed, gesturing to her earphones, which dangled from her ears.
Confused about whether I had got that right, I pressed the screen of my phone against the glass window, letting her see that I was listening to bags by clairo. Her eyes immediately widened, as she raised her phone screen too, which showed the same album cover for the same song. The girl quickly ran to the bus door and hopped on, just as it was about to close. She stood in the middle, her eyes scanning over the seats, and then locked eyes with me.
She smiled and walked towards me, "May I?" she asked politely, gesturing to the vacant seat next to me. "Y-yeah, sure," I stuttered, as I mentally facepalmed. She sat down beside me, filling the air around us with her scent. "Hi," the girl lets out, glancing at me, as I nervously fidget with my fingers. "Hey," I manage to get out, her blue eyes boring into mine.
"So, uh, that was kinda weird, right?" she continued, as I chuckled, "Totally," I told her, turning a little to face her, "What do you think about the song?" I asked her.
"It's sad," she replies, pouting, as we burst into laughter, "Yeah?" I question, while she nods her head. "Yeah, I mean, she's talking about confessing her love to this person, but...she's afraid that that person will just...walk away, you know? Unrequited love," the girl explains, emphasizing the last two words, "It's sad," she finishes, as I nod. I take out one of my earphones and hand it to the girl, which she takes. I click on the song again, as it starts playing, spending the next 15 mins talking about music and bands and singers.
The bus suddenly jolts forward, interrupting our conversation, and I realize I'm almost home. The girl takes notice and takes my phone from me, quickly typing in something, before giving it back. I glanced at the screen, her number and name already saved in my contacts. "It's nice to meet you...?" she trails off, giving me a questioning look. "Oh, uh, Y/N....my name's Y/N," I catch on, as she chuckles, making me feel warm all over. "It's nice to meet you, Y/N," she says, holding her hand out, as I shake it, "Likewise," I reply, before getting up and adjusting my coat, "Call me sometime!" she calls out. "Definitely!" I tell her, making my way to the bus door, and getting down. I wave at her from the outside, and she returns the action as the bus takes off.
I unlock my phone again, staring at the contact the girl had saved and smiled to myself. 'She had a pretty name,' I thought, 'Sadie.'
