The two girls stroll up to the bus door, ignoring the queue lined up to board as they chat to one another. One of them hovers around the side of the door, hesitant, until the other hisses, “Go on!” and shoves her forward, in front of a woman and her partner. The woman now standing behind them glares at their backs and shakes her head at the man next to her.

“You know, next time it might be polite to ask before you push in.” The two girls turn and gawk at the woman behind them.
“Um..”
“It’s called manners. I would have let you on if you’d asked.” They grin nervously at one another, then look back at the woman.
“Can we.. um.. can we go in front of you?”
“Sure, go ahead,” the woman smiles. “I have no problem with it. Just ask next time. Like I said, manners.”

Giggling nervously, the girls board the bus and head up to the back seat. Their backs are turned when the woman lowers herself into a bus seat abruptly, her knees trembling from nerves. It is the first time she has stood up to the age group that terrifies her so much. She smiles at her partner as he sits beside her. It is a big step; hopefully not the last.