The bus jerked into motion. Conversations swelled, grew louder, then quieter again – like waves rolling against a shoreline.
Fiona rummaged in her bag, pulled out a packet of gummy bears and held it out to me.
"Take one. Sugar helps with everything."
I shook my head, but she pressed a red one into my hand anyway.
It stuck between my fingers, as if even sweetness didn't want to cling to me.
The window felt cool against my forehead. Outside, familiar street scenes flowed past: traffic lights, shop windows, gray facades I knew but barely noticed.
Every meter took me further from where I wanted to be.
From him.
The bus door had long since closed. A metallic hiss – such a final sound.
I tried not to look back anymore.
"Maybe this is exactly what you need," Fiona murmured, half to me, half to herself.
"A break from everything. From everyone."
I wanted to reply, but the bus stopped abruptly. Voices fell silent momentarily, heads lifted.
A jolt, the door opened again.
