It was such a hot day… Such a hot, hot, very hot day and he wished his mechanic had actually kept his word when they told him his car would be ready before the weekend was over. It was now Wednesday and his car was not ready. Stupid mechanics never kept their word… Or at least that was his experience. No matter where he went, it was always the same. But now he was complaining about a completely different thing. The heat. That’s right, he was complaining about how hot it was before he started to complain about his mechanic... 

Heading to work in the morning wasn’t so bad, the weather was rather pleasant considering it was the middle of summer, but reaching the late hours of morning, around 9 or 10 am it was when the heat started picking up. And now, at 6pm as he headed home in a too-full-bus, he pushed his wild hair out of his face and fanned himself with that same free hand, his other holding him to dear life at the bar the driver had installed as an excuse to allow more people into the clearly overcrowded vehicle. 

It was so crowded that every face before him began to cause him uncomfort. Not because he was being stared at, but because of their smiles. That thin line between people’s lips made his stomach churn, especially the long ones that reached their eyes. Those happy smiles that weren’t happy at all, that hid contradictory feelings underneath. At least some others didn’t bother, allowing their natural scowls to dress their expressions. Much like himself.

It was hard enough to wear a smiling mask at work, why should he bother doing the same in a bus full of strangers? Even the girl next to him carried a wide smile on her lips though she was only scrolling down her phone. It was such a good mask, he nearly failed to notice it.

As in cue, the bus gave a jump after it drove past a bump, he then felt something squishy against the arm he had just let down to rest. Prompted to check what pushed against him, he took a closer look at the girl he had considered praising for her flawless mask. She seemed to be struggling to reach the hand bar, probably standing on her toes to do so, but what really caught his attention was her clothing… Or lack of. It’s not that she was walking around in her underwear, ask anyone and they would say she was properly dressed in a pair of shorts and a blouse, thing is… Those shorts were far too short and her blouse was completely see-through!

I understand it’s hot, but there’s a limit to how much you show! Thought the young man at her side, averting his eyes away from her. 

Too bad for him, he had gotten a pretty good look at her black laced bra and how it so nicely held her curves that pressed against his arm. Nope, he was not having those thoughts! Shaking his head, he looked at the people sitting in front of him. Two older ladies that whispered amongst themselves while eyeing the girl to his side. At least he wasn’t the only one who thought she was out of line to dress like that. Yes, he was quite the conservative, but don’t get him wrong, he believed women could dress as they pleased as long as they liked it and if it was accordingly to where they would be going. This girl, coming or going, he couldn’t think of anywhere her clothes were fitting for. Maybe if she was going to the beach, but they were nowhere near the ocean and even pools were no way en route for the bus they were on.

Again, it was hot, but this was an exaggeration.

After a very mentally draining ride, he sighed in relief as his stop came into view. He started squirming between the crowd, if he didn’t start heading for the door, the driver was very capable of ignoring him and drive past the stop. Just as he managed to find where to step, he saw the girl with the black laced bra also making her way to the front. She was obviously uncomfortable with the situation, her arms covering her chest as she pressed forward against backs, elbows and bags. He sighed, wondering why she even dressed like that in the first place. That is, with little protection.

Never mind that. They were getting off at the same stop! Maybe he could get off at the one after? But that would mean he’d have to walk a longer path and he was too tired for that… Dropping his shoulders in defeat, he walked down off the bus right behind her. 

Now that he had a clearer look at her, she was so… Tiny. Well, she wasn’t all that short, but she looked so small because of her thin limbs. It looked as if the gentlest of breezes could lift her up and away. With a knot in his throat that he cleared, he called out to her.

“E-Excuse me, miss?” He managed to keep his voice from cracking. Good. Usually he didn't have such a hard time talking, but this was a stranger, and it was hard to look at her without his eyes wondering too much. He'd slap himself if he could but then he'd seem like a bigger creep.

“Hmm?” She turned to look at him, her short black hair gently framing her face. She blinked big dark eyes at him, adorned in makeup just just as dark. Her expression was one of confusion, curiosity, as she raised a brow and her thin lips twitched to the side. He imagined that if she wasn’t so petite, her cheeks would be quite round. Nevertheless he noticed a pretty natural blush over those hunger-pang cheeks, the heat being the clear culprit.

“Um.” He hesitated before rushing to take off his unbuttoned shirt, leaving him with his white t-shirt. “Here.” He offered it to her. “Please don’t think bad of me. It’s just that this isn’t the safest neighborhood and your clothing might attract bad attention…”

She looked at him for a moment, her eyes wide as if not believing what she had just been told. At her lack of answer, he looked away, his cheeks coloring ever so slightly in embarrassment. If only he hadn’t looked away, he would have seen the smile that spread on her lips.

“And they say chivalry is dead.” She laughed, taking the shirt from his hand and sliding it through her arms. She hadn’t expected it to be so warm…

“I- I hope you’re not offended by this.” He said nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. He knew he was bad when it came to socializing, but today he was doing worse than usual.

“Not really, but I definitely think you’re a weird guy.” She winked as she buttoned up the shirt, which covered even more than the shorts she was wearing.

“I’ve heard that one before.” He laughed shyly.

“Is that why you were all creepy and sweaty on the bus?” She teased, a wide grin on her lips that revealed her white teeth. He knew it was only a mask, but he couldn’t help respond.

“Wha- I wasn’t!” The boy whipped his head to look at her, his shoulders up in indignation. But she only laughed at his reaction.

“Whatever. Hand me your phone.” She smiled, extending her arm to him, taking her own from her back pocket.

“My phone?” He took it out of his pocket, and before he even realized, she was the one holding it. “H-Hold on!”

“Aaand there.” She gave him back his phone after pressing on the screen a few seconds.  Her phone rang and now his number glowed on her screen. “I’ll give you a call to return this to you.”

“Eh? T-that’s alright. You don’t have to.” But she was already walking away.

“See you later, pervy boy!” She waved as she turned a corner.

Processing what had just happened, he blinked, pushed his glasses up, ruffled his messy hair and finally looked at his phone. He pouted at himself for even allowing a stranger to use his phone without permission. In the end it was his fault for not putting on a lock password when everyone kept telling him to do so, but sometimes he let his little sister use his phone and he thought a password was too inconvenient. He also had nothing to hide…

Sighing, he pressed the home button and slid his finger up to reveal the new contact added to his phone book. He looked at the three letters in caps.

MIA