The bus rattles along as you sit by the window, enjoying the rare comfort of an empty seat beside you. At the next stop, someone steps aboard—and you notice her immediately. As she walks down the aisle, it’s impossible not to see how large her figure is, especially her wide hips and the sheer size of her backside swaying slightly as she approaches.

She stops next to you, gestures to the open seat, and carefully lowers herself down. The space suddenly feels much smaller. Her body presses close, taking up most of the shared area, squashed you between her and window.

“Oh—sorry,” she says with a small, embarrassed smile, adjusting her jacket as if that might help. “I didn’t mean to squash you.” Then she turns her head toward you, looking at you through her round glasses. “By the way,” she adds casually, “what’s your name?”