I was on a packed bus in rome with my friend when the bus came to a stop and the doors swung open. The bus was so full of people there was no way anyone else could fit. But, just as the thought crossed my mind a man close to his 50s hopped on. More like pushed himself on. I turned to look at him, he smiled at me and I smiled through my mask. He seemed nice. As the bus jolted in acceleration so did all of us on the bus swaying against one another trying to keep our balance since there was nothing to hold onto. Suddenly, the man started pushing behind me. Where is he trying to go? i thought. There’s no where else to stand. He pushed until he was directly behind me. Weird, but maybe he’s just trying to hold onto the arm rail above us. Now, I could feel his chest against me as well as his crotch. Why is he pushing me we are all so squished? Suddenly, i could feel him thrusting up against me. Again, am i imagining this? i wanted it to be the fact that the bus was making us all jolt back and forth but i knew that was not the case. I suddenly felt a hand touching my butt. Is it his? i thought. Does he know he’s touching me? i moved forward slightly but my friends back was directly in front of me so I couldn't move far. The hand made it's way onto my side touching my thigh. He definitely knows it’s there. I turned around to look at him but his eyes were roaming the bus. His hand is on my waist now. i sprung forward murmuring the words “what the fuck” under my breath. my friend turned around laughing at me thinking I was referencing how crowded this bus ride is. I could feel his hand again. he takes a step forward placing his hand on my waist again this time with more grip. i take his hand off my waist. 2 seconds later his hand is on me and is pulling up my dress. i put my hand on top of his to push it back down. No one seems to see me struggle. We are all so close but no one is seeing this? How is no one seeing this? his hand moves away from mine as he grabs for my vagina. I spring forward again this time, not just pushing my friend but everyone around me. Everyone is looking at me in annoyance for pushing against them. I look at my friend and tell her we’’re getting off at the next stop. she doesn’t question it. As the bus doors swing open I make a break for it. i tell my friend what happened as soon as we get off the bus. "Girl why didn’t you turn around and punch him I would have" I don't know. Why didn't I? why didn’t i say anything. "That was the longest 10 minute bus ride of my life" she says. we were on the bus for 10 minutes? that lasted for 10 minutes? i had 10 minutes to do something and i didn’t. We spent the rest of the trip taking in the sights. But i could still feel him on me.