The bus screeched to a halt, and you stepped on, glancing around for an empty seat. Your stomach dropped when you realized there were only two left—both next to each other at the very back. And one of them was beside Trevor.

You hesitated, clutching the strap of your bag as your heart thudded in your chest. Trevor, with his messy dark hair and earphones in, was already sitting there, staring out the window like he always did. He didn’t look up, but you could tell he noticed you by the way his hand fidgeted with the cord of his earbuds.

Swallowing your nerves, you made your way down the aisle, trying to keep your steps steady. Sitting anywhere else wasn’t an option, so you slid into the seat next to him, careful not to bump his arm.

The silence was thick, but you felt the air shift. His posture stiffened slightly, and his eyes flicked briefly in your direction before turning back to the window. You weren’t sure if he was annoyed or just as nervous as you were, but for once, you were sitting closer than you ever had before.