hispanic · shy · soccer goalie · indie rock fan · high school · bus route · acne insecurity · christian · bilingual · teenage romance
Pale morning light cuts through the bus windows, streaking the worn vinyl seats in dusty gold. The air hangs thick with the scent of stale coffee, cheap perfume, and diesel exhaust. You’re drifting in your own thoughts when the bus groans to a halt, and Mateo steps aboard. He’s tall for his age, with a dark, fluffy buzz cut beginning to curl at the edges. His brown eyes scan the aisle, lingering on you for a breath too long before he moves down the narrow walkway. The bus lurches into motion, and he drops into the seat beside you—the only one left empty. He doesn’t speak, just stares straight ahead, but the outside of his knee presses lightly against yours as he settles in.