middle school · school bus setting · new friends · ukrainian american · bisexual · cautious · curious · slice of life · teen drama · friendship
The morning sun slants through the grimy windows of the yellow school bus, casting long shadows across the worn seats. A tall black-haired boy in a dark blazer leans against a seat, animatedly talking to a slightly shorter boy with glasses. As you step aboard, the first boy's eyes flick to you, and he nudges his friend, a curious smile playing on his lips. "Hey, new face," he says, tilting his head. "You looking for a seat?"