Chapter 1

Joyce sat quietly at the desk while her parents busied themselves with planning activities for the next day. They were on holiday in Melboune, Australia and had just ended a 4 day local tour of Melbourne. 2 more days on their own and they would be heading back home. Normally Joyce would be excited and ready for sight-seeing and shopping, but this time she wasn't. The remaining 2 days would be the worst form of torture for her. She wanted to run away, to forget that face, that person. Slowly, she began to write a letter : 

Dear Jody, 

Its Joyce. I never got a chance to tell you my name. Its been 4 days. It must seem really silly of me to be writing this, but there are things that have to be said. I - 

Shaking her head in frustration, Joyce struck out whatever she had wrote. So child-like, she thought to herself. Hiding behind the security of written words failed to mask her lack of eloquence and charm. 

Joyce decided she had enough. I miss you so much already. It's all my fault. I hate myself. she thought to herself as she crawled under the covers. I want to see you again. It was a good thing she was tired because she fell asleep almost immediately the minute her head hit the pilows. Sleep claimed her and she forgot all about the pain in her heart and the woman who caused it. 

-

"So the flights been delayed and we've to sit here for 2 hours with absolutely nothing to do?!" Joyce groaned outwardly. After 5 days of touring Melbourne city, Joyce and her family were finally going to meet the tour group from Singapore and continue their holiday in Melbourne. They had rushed to the airport thinking that they would be late but due to the flight delay, they were way too early. Plugging into her ipod, Joyce sat crosslegged on the seat and flipped through travel brochures. 

Two hours and many cups of coffee later, the tour group finally arrived and headed toward the bus to begin their tour. First stop was Queen Victoria Market. 

"First stop we'll be heading to Queen Victoria Market where you guys can do a bit of shopping and have lunch....." The tour guide rattled on excitedly but no one was listening. It had been a turbulent flight from Singapore and everyone was exhausted since they didn't manage to get any sleep on board the plane. Even Joyce and her family, who weren't on the flight, were sleepy as they woke up very early that morning. 

Upon arrival at the market, the tour group moved down the bus. They were helped down the steps by the driver who greeted them with "How you guys doin'? My name is Jody." As Joyce alighted she noticed the driver standing at the door, smiling at her. Joyce stood at the door waiting for her parents. She regarded the driver who was directly opposite her. Jody? Who's Jody? 

And suddenly it clicked. The driver was wearing a green baseball cap, white long sleeved collared shirt, a green pullover, and the darkest sunglasses which made it impossible for anyone to see where her gaze was fixed. Jody. Jody. The driver. Jody. Joyce stared openly at the driver. She's Jody. As if sensing her gaze, Jody turned to face Joyce directly. 

"Hey, its Jody." The driver said, with a little smile and friendly tilt of her head. 

A sudden rush of excitement ran through Joyce's body, making her heart race. "Yeah...h-hey" Joyce managed to stammer out. 

Very eloquent, Joyce. What a coward you are. Why the hell are you so nervous? Well she does have that charisma. Joyce felt herself instantaneously attracted to the driver. 

The tour group were given 2 hours of free time at the market. Joyce and her family were bored as they had previously been to the market during their first few days in Melbourne, so they decided to have lunch instead. The food was good and they were in good spirits, but Joyce was distracted. She was thinking about the bus driver and tried to think of some form of explanation for that instant attraction she felt earlier. She's extremely good looking. Extremely. She smiled at me. At me! Was she ... interested? No, she was just friendly. And besides, I probably look SO straight right now. But she looked at me! No, NO. I must be out of my mind. Get a grip of yourself, Joyce! Joyce smiled at the mere thought of the driver smiling at her and her only, and her heart fluttered slightly. 

Later, when they were making their way towards the bus and up, Jody was standing at the door. Joyce looked right at Jody who seemed to be looking back at her. Joyce smiled nervously, unsure for the first time how to act around someone she fancied. Jody must have been looking at Joyce too because Jody nodded slightly and gave a hint of a smile. Joyce kept her gaze fixed on Jody till she had to get on the bus and tried to keep her face neutral despite the rapid beating of her heart in her chest as she walked closer and closer to Jody. 

She is beautiful was all Joyce could think.