BusStopper

Frantically sprinting with his bag bouncing on one shoulder, Callum fished out his phone from his pocket and checked the time, cursing as he did so.

He had hoped that this bus would be chronically late like the one he used to take, but as he saw the long square vehicle trundling closer from the opposite end of the road, Callum desperately willed his legs to go faster in an attempt to beat it to the bus stop.

With a last burst of strength, he threw himself through the open doors of the bus. However, the momentum carried on, and Callum’s bag somehow found itself flying off its owner’s arm and dropping on the floor with an almighty CLANG.

Callum winced, feeling his face heating up as he quickly dashed forward to scoop it up, muttering apologies as he did so.

But now, because of course this was not going to be a good day for Callum, he tripped and fell forward after dipping down too fast. Face positively burning now, he stood up with a hunched back, hugging his bag to his stomach, and flopped into the closest seat.

His eyes flickered around, checking if anyone had watched his disastrous bus boarding in full. Thank the heavens that the vehicle was nowhere near full, though he could’ve sworn he caught the tail end of a head turn from—

His breath hitched in his throat, heart stumbling for a moment before it started beating again with renewed vigour.

From the prettiest boy he had ever seen.

The boy’s cheek rested on the back of his fingers, elbow propped up on the edge of the bus windowsill. Navy blue hair carelessly framed his face, locks and wisps shifting ever so slightly against porcelain skin as the bus quietly bounced and rumbled. He smiled softly to himself, amber eyes gently gleaming as he gazed out from the glass.

Callum could feel himself flushing again, mostly from the fact that this boy was the most ethereal being to ever come into his field of vision, and that he had seen Callum floundering and was probably smiling because of that. But then again, it didn’t really matter because he was smiling and it was the most perfect smile he had ever—

Nope. Callum mentally slapped himself, trying to snap out of it. Getting a crush on someone you see on public transportation was bound to be somewhat creepy, wasn't it? And besides, it was near impossible that it would amount to anything. They probably wouldn't even exchange names, for goodness sake.

Callum sighed, hugging his bag tighter to his chest, and tried to stare as little as possible for the rest of the ride.

~

The next day, Callum managed to step onto the bus civilly, with his bag secure on his back. Instinctively, he looked around for the navy-haired boy from yesterday, and yep—fortunately or unfortunately, Callum couldn’t tell—he was there, sitting in the same seat and looking just as perfect, though this time he was looking down and scrolling on his phone. For a moment, Callum entertained the idea of sitting behind him, perhaps striking up a conversation, maybe even exchanging numbers—

Absolutely not, Callum reminded himself. That would be creepy, and besides, what would he even say? ‘Hi, I’m Callum, I saw you here yesterday and developed a parasocial crush on you, can I have your number?’

Forget sounding like a stalker, Callum probably wouldn’t even be able to say anything at all. Knowing himself and his ineptness at talking to others—especially others his age—he was more likely to clam up immediately as soon as he got the boy’s attention.

Even if he did manage to say something coherent and not socially unacceptable, there was still no guarantee the boy would want to talk to him. Judging by his clothes, he was someone of higher caliber, and Callum was just an average student. Further making a fool out of himself in front of a rich, pretty boy who probably thought he was nothing but a klutz was not something Callum felt like doing today.

With great resolve, Callum trudged to a seat behind the boy despite what the chemicals in his brain were screaming. He dropped his backpack down by his feet and tried not to look at the boy again, but now and then he could feel his eyes drifting back to that head of navy hair, as though he was magnetic.

At least he can’t see me looking at him, he supposed. God, that would be embarrassing.

As Callum neared his stop, he picked his bag back up and set it on his lap as he pressed the stop button and, preparing to swiftly stand up and make his leave. His heart picked up speed and his stomach fluttered slightly as he saw the pretty boy look up and slip his phone into his pocket, laying a palm on top of the seat in front of him, also getting ready to stand.

The bus slowed and with a hiss, the doors slid open. Callum hastily swung his bag over his shoulder, giving a quick wave and thanks to the driver as he stepped to the edge of the exit. A brief glance over his shoulder told him that yes, the pretty boy was indeed also stopping here, and he whipped his head back and tried to pretend he hadn’t just checked if a complete stranger was getting off with him.

Callum could feel himself losing his ability to function as the boy stepped off the bus right after him. He desperately tried not to make eye contact, preparing to speed-walk the hell out of there in what would most likely be a very suspicious fashion.

Calm down, he’s going to be here for something else, not to confront you about anything that’s happened over the last two bus rides, he tried to reason with himself.

He hastily started to make his escape, when a voice called, “Wait.”

Crap.

Callum didn’t know what he was expecting, but the voice might’ve been the most wonderful sound to grace his eardrums; light and melodious with a hint of mirth. It sent a shiver down his spine, and Callum couldn’t discern whether it was because it was a lovely voice or because he was absolutely terrified out of his wits.

Slowly, he turned around, both hands gripping his backpack strap.

“H-hi?”

Immediately, he cringed. Now, not only would he give off the impression that he was creepy and clumsy, he could also add unable to string two words together properly to the list.

“Was there a reason why you were staring at me so much?”

At once, Callum was jolted out of his previous embarrassment and thrown into one much, much more intense. He felt all the blood in his body rush upwards into his face, and he was willing to bet that his entire head was glowing. For a split second, he considered denying it all, but that idea almost instantly shriveled and died on his tongue. Obviously, the boy was aware of everything—there would be no point lying to him.

Mutely looking back at the boy in front of him, Callum opened his mouth, ready to apologize and swear to never get on the same bus as him again, when he saw that the boy was grinning.

“Yukuaki. Pleasured to make your acquaintance, my liege.” The pretty boy now known as Yukuaki gave a bow, but Callum could only stand frozen in place.

After a beat, Yukuaki patiently said, “This is where you tell me your name.”

All the blood that was trickling out of Callum’s cheeks rushed back in again in full.

“C-Callum,” he choked out, gripping his backpack strap ever the harder.

Yukuaki seemed to find his embarrassment funny, because his grin split wider and his head tilted. He reached into his pocket, and with his other hand he grabbed one of Callum’s.

Callum squeaked, mind going haywire.

He’s holding my hand my hand he’s touching me I’m touching his skin his skin is so soft no pull away this is weird don’t pull away he’s touching my hand why is he holding my hand—

Yukuaki pulled out a pen, clicking it and bringing it to his other hand, which was also where Callum’s hand was. Taking care not to squeeze or press too hard, he scribbled a string of numbers onto the back of Callum’s hand. Satisfied, he let go, and slipped the pen back into his pocket. Callum couldn’t help but lament at the loss of contact.

“There’s my phone number,” Yukuaki said matter-of-factly.

Callum could only nod dumbly, paying barely any attention to what he was saying.

“Well, I gotta go now, but text me or something!”

And with that, he dramatically stepped onto the bus that had just coincidentally pulled up and was gone.

Heart still racing, Callum finally took the chance to actually look at the number on his hand. However, it turned out that Yukuaki may have been pretty, but his handwriting certainly wasn’t.

“..are those…actually numbers…?”







Words: 1514