I was driving home, consumed by the weight of my day—losing my job, breaking up with my fiancé—and then I saw a little girl on a school bus, banging on the window in distress. Her panic sent a chill through me, and without thinking, I chased the bus, desperate to understand what was happening. When I reached it, I found the girl, Chelsea, struggling to breathe from an asthma attack, while the bus driver and other kids remained oblivious.

Frantically searching, I found Chelsea’s inhaler in another child’s backpack, hidden as part of a cruel joke. I rushed to help her, and as her breathing steadied, I realized the gravity of what had happened. The bus driver apologized, but my anger flared at the neglect and the children’s lack of empathy. Chelsea, weak but thankful, clung to me as I promised to stay with her until she was safe.

When we reached her stop, her parents were initially confused but soon filled with gratitude after hearing what had transpired. Mrs. Stewart, Chelsea’s mother, drove me back to my car, and during the ride, she mentioned a job opening at her business. Despite my broken spirits from losing my job earlier, this unexpected offer sparked a glimmer of hope.