Bus strangers

I don’t know you but you fell asleep on my shoulder on the bus and the only reason I’m letting you stay there is because you look very comfy and I’m a good person - it’s totally not because you’re also possibly the cutest and most precious human being I have ever seen hahaha okay maybe a little.

The kid looked quite young. And tired. His whole body has heavy against her shoulder and he seemed as if he hadn’t slept in a week. His eyelids were thin, translucent, lilac. His breathing sounded rattled, slow, and it felt hot in Clara’s shoulder. 

The little boy was holding a red-haired doll in his hands. The doll was dressed in a beautiful ball gown, and it looked like a princess. He also had a backpack at his feet. Clara remembered her ice blue backpack form when she was in Primary school. She remembered the weight of it on her shoulders, the books in her hands and constant laughter around her.

She came back to the present, startled by a sudden movement. The boy’s entire body had tensed up, and little whimper escaped his lips. His hands went up, fast, as if to cover his face from something scary, and the doll hit the floor with a muffled thud. He must have been having a nightmare, a terrible one.

Clara stared at him, tenderness and an urge to protect the little boy rising up inside of her chest. She gently tapped his head and tried to wake him up. 

“Hey, wake up, buddy.” Her voice was soft and he jerked upright in a second. He looked around, bewildered; he was probably disoriented because of his bad dream. He saw the doll on the bus floor beside him; no one had picked it up for him. He gasped and dived for it. He stroked her hair softly, tenderly. 

“I’m sorry Ariel, I shouldn’t have dropped you.” And he blushed, realizing Clara was seated right there, next to him. She only smiled at him, warmly, affectionately, because this was a wonderful little kid. But she witnessed the terror behind his eyes, she saw it fade and how his shoulders relaxed. But she knew, already. She knew what he must be so afraid of. She knew who the monster in his nightmare was and why he hadn’t slept in a week. And it broke her heart that such a pure boy was growing up like that.

“Hey, kid, here’s my phone number. My name’s Clara. I know you don’t know me, but you are wonderful and precious. So if anything happens to you or if you need help, call me. Anytime, okay?” Clara thrust a scribbled piece of paper, ruffled his hair and stepped out of her seat. The boy was looking at her, incredulous.

“You don’t even know my name, why would you say that to me?”

“Well, what’s your name?”

“Riley”

“Well, Riley, I said that because the world needs people to be kind to one another, and everyone needs support. And I don’t think you need to change anything about yourself, so I thought it would be nice if I reminded you that.” Clara smiled, she must sound crazy but this kid needed someone, and she only wanted to help.

“Thanks, Clara,” his answer was shy, but it was something. He had accepted her help. And so her smile only broadened.

“I have to get off the bus, but call me anytime you want. It doesn’t matter what time it is.”

“You promise you’ll pick up?”

“I promise.” She kissed his head and got off the bus, waving Riley goodbye.