I open my mouth to say… something. I’m at a loss here. Do I tell her to mind her own business - nicely, of course - or take her up on her offer and get everything off my chest? She’s sitting there, waiting for me to answer, and I’m staring at her with my mouth wide open.
You can’t even speak to a cute girl on a bus, how are you going to manage performing in front of a crowd?
A look of understanding crosses her face. “No talking.” She whispers before grabbing her backpack and pulling out her phone and earbuds. She held one out to me. “You need to get out of your head. Wanna listen to some music with me? It helps me when the voices in my head become too much.”
All I can do is nod as I reach for the earbud. I pop it in my ear and give her a look, one that I really hope shows how thankful I am for this. Music does help; I was dumb not to think of it myself before I spiraled.
“Any requests?” I shake my head no, curious to hear her taste in music, She scrolls for a couple of seconds before pressing the play button. Popular Monster by Falling In Reverse starts playing in my ear.
I reach over and squeeze her hand, a silent thank you. I try to pull away, but she wraps her fingers through mine, holding on tight.
We sit, holding hands, for the next thirty minutes, listening to music together. A lot of my favorites play, along with a few I’ve never heard before, but definitely plan to add to my mix. We don’t speak, but we also don’t have to. I have a feeling we just connected on a level that not many people could possibly understand. She didn’t have to help a stranger on a bus, but she did because she recognized the terror I was feeling.
Bus girl – I really need to find out her name – had passed out at some point during the ride. She had her head resting against my shoulder, snoring softly, and I couldn’t help but feel a little joy knowing she felt comfortable enough around me to fall asleep.
The bus jolts to a stop, having reached our destination, and I give bus girl a small shake to wake her.
“We’re here,” I murmured softly, and I watched as she blinked slowly, clearly trying to get her bearings after just waking up. After a couple of seconds, she meets my eyes, and I’m caught off guard. Holy shit!
The bus had been darker before, but now, with the lights turned on for people to get off safely, I get my first real look at her eyes. They were gray, not cold like a storm, but soft, like morning mist over quiet water, and I swear, I could have drowned in them willingly.
“I’m sorry,” her voice is husky from just waking up. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep all over you. Wait, why are you looking at me like that? Was I snoring? Oh shit, do I have drool all over my face?” As she rambles on, a deep red blush takes over her neck and cheeks.
I bark out a laugh at the adorable little mess in front of me. “Calm down bus girl, no snoring and no drool, I promise.” Small lie, she was totally snoring.
She wrinkles her nose before shooting me a glare. “Bus girl? Ew, I don’t like you calling me that.”
Now, it’s my turn to blush. “I didn’t know what else to call you,” I confess, scratching the back of my neck. “I would love to call you by your actual name if you feel like sharing. I’m Oliver.”
“I’m Sa-”
“Hey, kids!” I curse under my breath and turn to see the bus driver glaring at us from the front of the bus. “You guys getting off? I’m about to let the new group of people on and you’re wasting my time.”
“Sorry,” Bus girl says quickly, grabbing her stuff. I just managed to grab my guitar case before she grabbed my hand and started pulling me to the exit. I realize then that like her holding my hand.
It’s early Spring but nights are still cold, and we’re greeted by an icy breeze when we step off the bus.
“Do you have anything warmer to wear in your bag?” I asked bus girl.
She’s wearing a thin denim jacket over black tights and an oversized shirt. Looking at it closely I see it has the dates of a Bon Jovi tour printed on it. “Also please tell me your name. I can’t keep calling you bu-”
She covers my mouth with her small hand and giggles. “I’ll stab you if you call me that one more time, don’t test me. It’s Savannah, but please call me Savvy.”
“Savvy,” I let the name roll across my tongue. “Did your parents name you that because of your hair?” I gesture towards the messy bun on top of her head, her hair is a vivid tapestry of fiery red and deep auburn.
She blushes, instinctively touching her hair.
“My dad did a sh-,” she cuts herself off. “My dad was down in South Africa for work, he spent a few days in one of the game reserves down there and fell in love with it. When I was born, my hair reminded him of a sunset across the Savannah, hence the name.”
“It’s a beautiful name.” For a beautiful girl. I don’t say the last part out loud. “So Savvy, you didn’t answer my question. Please tell me you have something warmer to wear.”
“Uhh…. I have something warmer to wear in my bag?” Savvy smirks up at me, rolling her eyes.
I let out a growl. “Are you being sassy with me right now Savvy? Do you want to try that again, or do I have to spank the truth out of you?” My eyes widen as I realize what I just said, a huge flush creeping up my neck.
What the fuck?
Savvy fought to keep a straight face, but I could see the laughter dancing in her eyes. I open my mouth to apologize, but she cuts me off.
