The next day, Henry slept until noon again. Remembering that he hadn't picked up his clothes, he decided to take the bus to Emily's house. After waiting for a while, a bus arrived.
There was no direct route to the development zone; he had to transfer midway. As Henry was about to step onto the bus, he accidentally bumped into a girl dressed in casual clothes. He glanced at her, but she looked ahead with a look of disgust, glancing at his lower body out of the corner of her eye.
"Sorry!" Henry apologized with a smile.
The girl ignored him.
After the people in front of him boarded, Henry deliberately stepped back, and the girl stepped up without hesitation.
"Move to the back!" the driver shouted.
The bus was indeed very crowded. After squeezing in, Henry turned sideways to move forward. After a few steps, a middle-aged woman behind him stumbled and fell onto Henry's back. Henry lurched forward and glanced back at the woman, who quickly said, "Sorry."
"It's okay."
When Henry turned back, he found the girl looking at him with the same disgusted expression. He must have bumped into her when he leaned forward.
"Sorry!" Henry apologized again with a smile.
The girl frowned and turned her face away.
Henry shook his head, feeling a bit awkward. He really hadn't meant to.
As the bus started, Henry turned his head to the side, admiring the girl's beauty. She wore a white hoodie with the hood down, a pair of black pants, and white sneakers. Her long blonde hair indicated she was very healthy. Her ponytail highlighted her youthful charm. Her delicate, oval face was fair and rosy, like a fresh lychee. Even in the crowded and stuffy bus, her natural scent, free of perfume, was intoxicating to Henry.
In Henry's eyes, Isabelle was already very beautiful, but this girl was even more stunning. Isabelle, coming from the countryside, had a certain indescribable quality, a hint of rustic charm that became evident when compared to this urban girl. This girl exuded an almost perfect urban sophistication that Isabelle lacked.
Judging by her age, she was likely a junior high or high school student, possibly from Harbor Springs University Affiliated School, given the time of day. However, she wasn't wearing a school uniform, so Henry couldn't be sure.
At that moment, the bus driver braked suddenly. As Henry leaned forward slightly, the girl lost her balance and fell against his arm with a soft "ouch." Despite her flat chest, Henry felt a tingling sensation, his ears warming up as he glanced at her. Her face was flushed with embarrassment.
As the bus stopped, the girl fell backward again, her face showing panic. Henry grabbed her shoulder, helping her stand, and she glanced at him instinctively. Henry turned his face away, wanting to smile at her but lacking the courage, fearing she might misunderstand. To him, she seemed too young.
The bus soon reached a stop. More people got on than off, and several middle-aged men crowded around the girl. They didn't mean any harm; there was simply no room. The girl frowned, looking at the men with the same disgusted expression she had shown Henry earlier.
Henry understood that the girl didn't just dislike him; she disliked any man who got too close to her. He pressed his body against the men, spreading his arms to hold onto the handrails, creating a small space for the girl. She held onto a vertical steel bar by the door, sensing Henry's protective gesture. She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her expression relaxing, as if nothing had happened.
Henry's stop arrived, but the bus was still crowded. He glanced at the girl, who was looking out the window, relaxed. If he got off, she might be crowded again. Henry decided to stay on the bus.
After a few more stops, the girl got off. As she exited, Henry felt her glance at him again. What did that mean? Was it silent gratitude or an invitation to follow her? Henry hesitated, and the bus doors closed. He watched her walk away, hoping she would look back, but she didn't.
Henry sighed, feeling a bit disappointed but also satisfied that he had done a good deed. He got off at the next stop, crossed the street, and took a bus back. After transferring buses, he finally arrived at Emily's house.
Entering his room, he found not only his blanket but also Emily's pillow and quilt on his bed. It seemed Emily and Andrew were now sleeping in separate rooms. Opening the closet, he found Emily's clothes hanging with his. In the drawer, Emily's underwear was neatly folded with his. The entire room was filled with a mix of Henry and Emily's presence.
Checking the master bedroom, he found it gloomy and lacking warmth. Returning to his room, Henry packed his clothes into a plastic bag. When he picked up his underwear, he couldn't resist touching Emily's, feeling as if he was caressing her body.