Astor hated getting on buses.
The things were so loud, and he always had to ask if he could sit next to people, and sometimes they even said no, and then what was he supposed to do? He couldn’t push it, he couldn’t do anything when they said no so was he expected to stand because that’d be awkward and--
He had to ask this person if he could sit next to them. It was his only choice in the situation.
And thus, with a clearing of his throat (as though this would make his speech any easier), he began to question the other while gesturing to the seat he desired to take;
{ “ C-can I sit here? “ };