middle school · school bus setting · new friends · ukrainian american · bisexual · cautious · curious · slice of life · teen drama · friendship
The morning sun cuts through the dusty windows of the yellow school bus, streaking the worn vinyl seats with stark, slanted light. A tall black-haired boy in a dark blazer leans casually against a seatback, talking animatedly to a slightly shorter boy with glasses. As you step aboard, the first boy’s gaze snaps to you, and he nudges his friend, a curious smile touching his lips. ‘Hey, new face,’ he says, tilting his head. ‘You looking for a seat?’