Someone in the back was getting impatient, "I really need to get home!"

I took a deep breath, quickly pulled myself together, and got ready to speed up.

The bus inched forward, trying to pass the car ahead.

However, the Audi suddenly sped up and swerved right in front of us, then Wade hit the brakes hard.

I stomped on the brakes, and everyone on the bus jolted forward. The bus turned into a mess, and people started to grumble.

"What's happening!"

"Can't you drive!"

"Dummy, what's with that car in front!"

My eyes went wide, the Audi had its hazard lights on, stopped right in front of the bus.

The road had only two lanes, with a bike lane next to us, and there was no way to go around.

It was peak hour, and in just the minute we stopped, cars behind us started to back up, and the blaring of horns filled the air.

Wade stepped out of his car.

He was all dressed up in a white shirt and suit pants, looking all fancy, but he marched over to my door with a scowl and pounded on it.

"Melanie! Come out!"

Through the window, I saw his angry face, and it just made him seem like a stranger to me.

Three years together, and it seemed like nothing compared to an old flame.

"Ma'am, you know him?" the lady in the front seat asked, her eyes wide with curiosity at Wade's angry face.

I did not say a word, just feeling sad, and cracked the window by my seat a little.

Wade's voice burst through.

"Why are you honking like that?! You scared Sally, did you know that!"

Sally.

He shouted as if they were the best of friends.

I had just caught those two red-handed, having an affair on the street, and then he had the cheek to confront me.

"Wade, I'm working," I said, trying to sound calm, "please move your car. You're blocking traffic."

"Working? Driving a beat-up bus is nothing special," Sally stepped out of the car, her high heels clicking on the pavement as she walked over and clung to Wade's arm. "Wade, she did that on purpose. She's just jealous of us."

Wade got even angrier, as if Sally's words were fuel to his fire. "Melanie, get out of the bus, did you hear me? Come and apologize to Sally!"

The honking behind us grew louder and more frantic.

I thought of the twenty or so passengers on my bus. Some needed to catch a train, others to pick up their kids, and some were off to work.

Those two were wasting precious minutes.

I could waste my own time, but not theirs.

Looking at the pair who would not back down, I knew they would not let it go.

"I'm sorry I honked," I said, my voice rough. Each word I spoke seemed to stoke the fire of frustration burning inside me. "Please move your car and stop holding everyone up."

Sally gave me a smile, the kind that winners wear, mixed with a bit of pity.

"Is that all? Melanie, you really frightened me just now. My heart's still pounding," she said, pressing a hand to her chest and frowning for effect. "Wade, she doesn't mean it."

Wade nodded in agreement, egged on by her. "That's no apology. Do it over!"

I clenched my fists so tight my nails dug into my palms.

"Wade, that's too much!"

"Too much?" Wade's voice got louder. "You're following me? Trying to make me look bad? Listen up, Melanie, if Sally isn't happy today, you can forget about driving your car away!"

Behind us, a driver stuck his head out and yelled, "Move it up front! The cops are on their way!"

Sally, though, looked like she was having fun. With the other drivers yelling in the background, she tilted her chin up and peered down at me like she was the queen of the world.

"Let's do this, Melanie," she said in a slow, clear voice, "Get out of the car, stand in front of me, and apologize out loud. Say, 'Ms. Larson, I was wrong. I shouldn't be jealous of you or bother you.' Say it, and we can all leave."

My head was spinning.

They had the nerve to treat me like that!

"Have you lost your mind?"

"You won't apologize?" Sally smirked. "Then we'll just wait. We're not in a hurry, but I'm not sure about you and your passengers, or the drivers behind us."

Wade chimed in, "Hear that? Sally's giving you a chance. Don't throw it away!"

The passengers had heard everything.

I heard someone mutter, "Who are these people..."

"They're bullies..."

"Great, there goes my perfect attendance. I'm going to get you two!"

"I'm going to be late for class, too. Waaa, I... I'm done for, might as well take you on since I'll get scolded anyway..."

I looked back at the passengers.

They were all strangers, some anxious, some upset, but most looked at me with sympathy.

An older gentleman shook his head at me, signaling me not to give in.

The honking behind us had turned into a loud mess, with people getting out of their cars to see what was going on.

If things kept up like that, the whole road would be stuck.

I was torn between doing my job right and feeling totally embarrassed.

"Come on!" Wade yelled, kicking the bus tire. "What's taking you so long? Get off and say sorry to Sally!"

His words were the final blow.

They had walked all over my pride, and then they were trying to break me completely.

My hands shook as I reached for the door button to get off.

"Let's see if they can handle the anger of the crowd if I open the door..." I thought to myself.

With a loud snap, the front door of the bus flew open.

I spun around, stunned, and saw a bunch of determined people storming out.

A voice came through the gap in the door.

"If those fools don't care about decency, then we know a thing or two about fighting!"