Page 18 of Meet Me at the Metro

“I’m fine,” she says, voice wavering.

“What’s wrong?”

“I said that I was fine, Theo.”

“Yeah, you said that but I’m just not believing it,” I shrug.

“You’re a bastard, you know that?”

“Ouch,” I chuckle, accepting the blow in hopes that it can somehow make her feel a little bit better. “You know, before you got here, Evie and Harvey told me about their sweet, new roommate who was coming all the way from Georgia. But I must say, you sure do lack that southern hospitality they were speaking so highly of.”

“You can shove my southern hospitality right up your a—”

“Message received,” I cut her off defensively, unsure how much more my ego can take from her witty mouth. “I’ll let you go cry in peace.”

Nora’s head darts up after the dig leaves my mouth, and as I watch her eyes pool with more tears, I instantly regret what I’ve said. “You are such a dick!”

She yanks up her bookbag and storms off to the very back of the train.

Dammit, dammit, dammit. You fucked up, Theo. Fix it.

“Nora, wait,” I call after her, following her to the back carriage. I’m grateful there aren’t any other people back here to witness what a bloodyidiot I’m making myself out to be. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to make you upset.”

“Save it. I’ve heard enough bullshit apologies for the night.” She crosses her arms against her chest defiantly and forces her gaze out the window again, but I can tell she’s still crying.

What has made her so upset tonight? After hearing that last comment, I sure as hell know now that it didn’t all start with me.

Before I know it, the train wheels are squealing to a stop again, and I don’t have a chance to speak another word before the doors open, and Nora rises from her seat.

I lightly catch hold of her arm before she can leave. “Where the hell are you going, Nora? You know your flat is in the other direction, right?”

“I don’t care,” she snaps, yanking her arm back. “I’m tired of tonight. I need an escape, and I want off this stupidfreakingtrain!”

“Stop,” I request, tugging her arm again. “You don’t even know where you are. I’m not letting you get off at this station by yourself.”

“I want off the train, Theo.”

I know she’s gonna do as she bloody pleases, so I release her and step off onto the platform, too. “Fine,we’llget off the train then.”

“I don’t want you coming with me.”

“Yeah, well, that’s too damn bad because you’re mental if you think I’m gonna let you storm off in some foreign city you don’t know shit about.”

“I’m sorry, are you stuck in the 20th century? I can handle myself just fine, thank you.”

“Assume whatever you want, but I’m not letting you walk alone.”

“I didn’t know you were suddenly the boss of me and what I do?”

“Would you quit being so damn obstinate?”

“No,” she replies matter of factly, “I won’t.”

“You are so frustrating, you know that?”

“Yeah, well, so are you! Now, leave me alone.” She slips from my grip and starts storming away again.

“You want an escape?” My words stop Nora dead in her tracks. I’m surprised when she turns back to me and stares, waiting to hear what I have to say next. “Come with me.”

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