As the school bell rang, a battalion of students rushed outside the school gates, barging past each other. Mr. Lawson came out of his office. "Everybody stop!" He rushed over to the school gate and guided everyone out in a calm manner. Serena noticed this on her way out of English and decided to take the smarter, second exit on the other side of the school. She opened the gate, wondering why everyone was so stupid as to leave out of the same exit. She then unexpectedly felt someone tapping her shoulder. She almost stopped breathing as she turned around to face the mystery person. "Hey Serena!" said Ash. "You're a smart girl." He winked at her. "Huh, what do you mean?" She knew full well what he meant, but she wanted him to give her more compliments. "Coming around this way. Only a smart girl would think like the way you've done."
"Oh, well thanks I guess". She blushed. "You're a smart guy too."
"Thanks." It was Ash's turn to blush this time. "So what way are you going?"
"Er, well I normally take the dreaded 158 back home, so I go left."
"I go the same way. How about I come with you?"
"Um, ok. Sure."
"Alright then, come on!" He took Serena by the hand and ran towards the bus stop. "What's the rush?" asked Serena breathlessly. She wasn't the running type. "We're gonna miss it!"
"Oh yeah, I got too caught up talking to you that I completely forgot when the bus was coming!" They just about caught it as the bus doors slammed shut behind them. They thanked the bus driver for letting them on. Ash put his oyster card on the sensor and waited for Serena to follow him. But she had unfortunately ran out of funds as the sensor flashed red. "Ash, I'm gonna have to catch you later."
"Why?"
"Because I've ran out of money on my oyster."
"Oh, I see. Hang on a minute, I'll pay for you."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Ash gave the bus driver the fare.
Serena paused for a while. She was astonished by such kindness. "Thank you Ash." They sat at the back of the bus. They remained quiet for the first couple of stops until Ash spoke. "So, where do you live?"
"Oh erm, Vanville Town."
"Oh right. I live in Pallet Town. So do you happen to have a Tumblr?"
"Yep!"
"Cool! Do you wanna do a follow for follow thing?"
"Sure! How many followers do you have?"
"1,000 and something. Yourself?"
"I've got about the same as you."
"Nice! I'm glad we've got something in common already."
"Yeah, me too." Serena smiled warmly at Ash. They had talked for so long that they hadn't realised that Serena's journey was over. "Well this is my stop."
"Oh alright. Take care!" Ash waved her goodbye.
"Bye!" As she left, she admired how cute Ash looked saying goodbye. In her distraction, she stumbled on another passenger's leg. "Oh, I'm so sorry." Serena collected herself, headed out of the double doors and stepped onto the pavement. The bus driver quickly snapped the bus doors shut and drove frantically onwards. Serena turned around to catch a last look at Ash as he waved at her again. A guy she barely knew was giving her butterflies. She sighed. "Oh god, I have a crush on him."