64

I will never forget the first time I met her.
   I was riding the six o'clock bus home and reading a book to pass the time, as I usually did. I noticed the bus stopping for a moment at the last stop before we would enter the countryside. The bus drove on for a couple of minutes before I heard a voice above me.
   "What'chu readin'?" A girl, about my age and incredibly pretty, was standing in the aisle leaning against one of the poles.
   "Um.." I mumbled, "It's The fault in our stars. John Green."
   "Huh. Mind if I take a seat?" She nodded to one of the seats opposite me. I gave her permission. "I think I've heard of him. Isn't he one of those vlogbrothers or whatever on YouTube?"
   "Yeah, I guess. I don't watch them, only read his books."
   "Oh, well is it any good? Like, would you recommend it?"
   "It's good." I was not used to getting this much attention from strangers, especially on the commute. "Have I met you before? I don't mean to be rude."
   "Nah, it's okay. We've never met, though we've been ridin' the same bus for a couple of months now."
   "Oh. Well, hi then, I guess."
   We greeted and she continued asking about stuff like the Star Wars patch I had sewn onto the side of my cap and which Star Wars film was my favourite and so on. We talked for maybe half an hour before she got up.
   "My stop. See you tomorrow?"
   "Unless I get fired I'll be here for a long time." She looked at me quizzically. "That's a yes." She smiled.
   She walked over to the door and turned around to blow me a kiss. Just as I realised what she'd just done the bus shook violently and tipped over. I saw her being flung into one of the poles and fall still on the ground-facing doors. I felt disoriented for a moment before I unclipped my belt and ran over to her. She didn't move. I touched her at the neck and wrist, no pulse. As the world began drifting off around me I could hear screams and someone shouting for an ambulance.
   I will never forget the first time I met her.