At the end of the night, when the friend was gone forever, the girl and boy were just sitting there at the bus stop. Her gaze fell on the road. Her hands lay in her lap.
The boy said I'm sorry.
She said Why didn't you tell me?
A bus pulled up. Her bus. No, too soon.
She stood up and the boy grabbed her arm, eyes frantic Wait — please. Don't go. I don't want to end it like this.
This isn't the end she insisted, but he wasn't sure. Her eyes went soft as she gazed at him I'll call you, I promise.
He didn't resist as she pulled from his grasp and went climbing onto the vehicle. He tried to follow her figure with his eyes, but among the flurry of bodies he lost her.
The bus rolled away and the boy kept trying to catch glimpses of her. Even though he knew she was gone.