Non English speaker here. If anything makes zero sense, ask! 'Proper': not in a bar with liquid courage.

I get on the bus after an evening with colleagues in my job for the summer. Free seat, yay. Headphone on, book up. Trinity, liking it so far.

Two beautiful women come in close after I sit down, and take seats on the left side of the bus, a free seat between them. One reading, the other holding a plastic bowl, on her phone. "Wow," brain goes. "Now, back to your book". Reading. "Those women." "Yeah. Book. Later." Exciting chapter. Also, Synthphonia Suprema is great. "You either do something now, or it's not happening." "Just this chapter". I keep on reading. A few pages in, I can't recall what I've read. Scumbag brain.

Wait. It really will be too late. She'll get off at any stop. Hmm. I should do something. Finishing the paragraph, putting away the book. Pause music, headphones off. It's just the first step that's hard. "Get up. (not hard, right?" I stand up. "If you sit back down now, it's just weird." Scumbag brain. "You want to know what's on that bowl, right?" I walk over. Inner monologue abruptly ends.

"Hi," I say, while sitting down. "Hi," she responds, slightly surprised. People don't really talk to strangers in this country, unless they're drunk. "Are you single?" Might as well make it obvious why I'm here. "Yes," more surprised. "That's good. I really want to know what's in your bowl" "Oh, here? A salad. I've been in a park with some friends" "<only real park in city>?" "Yeah, that's where we were" "We almost went there, but ended up somewhere else. Can I see your salad?" Persuaded by my better self, I wanted to know. She lifts the cover of the bowl. "That is one boring salad." It was. "It looked better before!" Conversation keeps going.

Out of nowhere, she changes topic: "You're way younger than me" "Oh? How old so you think I am?" "21. 22. 23. 20." "One of them" "22". "Yeah". I smile. "How old are you?" "24." "That's fine."

Conversation flows. Summer, studies. My stop is approaching. I change the topic this time. "I'm leaving town tomorrow, but will be back in a week. How does your summer look?" "In a week, I'll be leaving ..." "Terrible match. Give me your number, then." No commanding voice, simply the next statement. She looks at me. I hand her my phone. She puts it in. "What's your name?" "July" "You'll get mine." My stop. I make some joke about not taking any more of her time. "Bye," I smile. Bye!

On the walk home, I text something along the lines of "With phone numbers linked to names, this suddenly became less fun. I'm shitfuckd. I have time for lunch tomorrow, tho. There's a good thai place at <where I work>" Half an hour later, she responds. "Hi - I'm not really interested. I'm kinda seeing someone. Cudos on the initiative, though, and have a nice summer!" I respond when I get it: "Likewise, and good luck on your studies :)" I think for a bit, then delete the thread and number.

Fuck, this feels good. Being rejected doesn't even touch having broken social barriers. Sidenote: I had been driving go cart earlier the night, so I was probably stinking, and helmet hair is just impressive. Did that mean something? Not really relevant.

Go take right action. One step at the time. And before you know it, there's no turning back, and you might actually enjoy the ride. Let yourself be persuaded by the right impulses. I'd also had three beers, so assume the actual interaction was less smooth.

Pros: - Action. Otherwise, there is nothing. - Intent. There was no doubt I was hitting on her. - More action. Push for a meet up. - Mentality. I did it. Success. Further consequences are a bonus.

Cons: - Touch. There. Was. No. Touch. - Conversation. Random shit. Not that I was able to think rationally in the action. - Ending. I practically jumped off the bus, not looking back. Not afraid, but relieved the tension and pressure was about to break. Next time, walk slowly away, look back, smile, continue.

Action items: - Do it again.

Advice and comments appreciated, despite lack of detail!