He followed her to an empty seat near the back.
They sat in silence as the bus rumbled on, the city lights flickering through rain-streaked glass.
“What’s your name?” Ethan asked at last.
“Maya,” she said, not looking away from the window.
“I’m Ethan.”
“I know,” she replied quietly.
He frowned. “You do?”
She smiled a little. “You said it when you were arguing with the driver.”
“Oh.” He chuckled, embarrassed. “Guess I did.”

