Read My Mind

I clambered on to the bus, desperate to get my favourite seat at the back of the bus. I liked it there, because no one else sits beside you unless it’s a last resort, so normally, I am left in peace. Barging my way through the aisles, I managed to slip into the chair just as the bus continued its journey. I fished for my iPod and shoved the headphones in my ears. To be honest, I was feeling pretty miserable. The weather outside was grey, and I my clothes were soaked from the short walk from my house to the bus stop. After a quick glance in my mirror, it was clear that my hair and makeup were a state. I sighed and sunk into the seat, allowing the music to cheer me up.

A few stops later, there was a lot of pushing and shoving as everyone tried to get on the bus. Seats were beginning to run out, and my fears of sharing a seat came true when the most popular boy in college, Robert, stumbled his way to the back of the bus. He searched, almost longingly, for elsewhere to sit, before reluctantly taking the seat beside me. I tried to breathe normally, shifting sideways so that he could have some room. I couldn’t believe he was sat by me.

I didn’t know him personally. In fact, he wasn’t even in my year. He was just one of those people that everyone knew. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him nod friendlily in acknowledgment at someone a few seats in front, before resting his hands on his knees and looking downwards. I made sure not to look directly at him, but managed to take in his looks. He had brown hair and eyes, and his hair was always slicked back, in a way that most boys couldn’t get away with, but somehow he did. He had long eyelashes too, but not in a girly way. He wore an oversized cream jumper over chinos, and was definitely fashionable without being considered as “trying too hard.” The bus jerked, and his arm brushed mine. I think at that point I muttered something unintelligible, and pretended to look out the window. This tactic obviously failed, however, as the windows were steamed up, and nothing within a centimetre of the glass could be seen. As I blushed, I realised that Robert was smiling to himself. Great, I thought. He thinks I’m an idiot.

To distract myself, I hastily scrambled for my iPod and put the Killers on shuffle. I saw Robert peer slightly to see what song I’d chosen. Completely coincidently, the song was Read My Mind. I blushed furiously again, and he caught my eye, amused. I tried for a smile, hoping I didn’t look too manic. Self-consciously, I brushed my tangled hair from my face. Then, realising I was still staring at him, I wondered if he could read my mind. He smiled, and tapped my iPod with his finger.

“I like the Killers too,” he said. My mouth gaped gormlessly, but I was so pleased when I managed to take out one of my earphones and offer it to him. He took it, and we spent the remainder of the journey talking about music. Well. I say that, but it was mainly him talking and me nodding along. I nodded so much my neck ached, but I didn’t much care.

The bus pulled up outside college, and I reluctantly turned my iPod off and put it in my bag. Robert was already gone. I couldn’t help feeling upset that he hadn’t even said goodbye. I reminded myself that I was still a girl with rattails for hair and a sorry sight for all eyes. I gathered my things and stood to leave. It was then that I noticed that Robert had got back on the bus. He grinned sheepishly.

“Err…see you tomorrow morning,” he said, before one of his friends grabbed him and dragged him away. It didn’t matter to me. With my face beaming like a ray of sunshine, I stepped out into the pouring rain.