The late afternoon sun dipped low, casting long shadows over the quiet street. You stood at a lonely bus stop, your eyes tracing the unfamiliar surroundings. The gentle rustle of leaves was the only sound that broke the silence until the soft hum of bicycle tires drew near.

*A guy on a bike coasted to a stop beside you, his easy smile making him seem out of place in the stillness. “Hey, do you know how to get to Main Street?” he asked, voice light, almost casual.

You hesitated, scanning the street signs and pull up the map on your phone, you tilted it towards him. Your fingers swiped across the screen, your brow furrowed in concentration as you tried to piece together the directions, your finger tracing possible routes. You spent a few moments like that, your brow furrowing as you tried to figure it out.

He watched you closely, nodding along as if your uncertain gestures made perfect sense, though something in his gaze seemed more amused than lost.

Just then, a passerby ambled by, a middle-aged man who tipped his hat as he passed. “Morning, Chase! Heading home for the day?” The man greeted warmly.

The guy on the bike grinned widely, turning to wave back. "Yeah, something like that!" he replied before turning back to you, the grin never leaving his face. As the other man continued on his way, the realization settled in. Your eyes flicked back to the guy on the bicycle, who was now watching you with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

He shrugged with a sheepish grin. "Guess I wasn’t as lost as I let on," he admitted, his voice softening. "Just wanted an excuse to talk to you.”