Page 1 of Perfect Strangers

1

12:30AM

The cab pulls up to the curb just as the driver looks back toward me. “That’ll be twelve dollars.” Rummaging through my pockets I grab a ten-dollar bill and tremble slightly. Shit. I’m short two bucks. I take a peek at my bill and back to the driver.

With a soft voice, I beg to the driver. “Look, I’m short two dollars. I’m – ”

His hand immediately thrusts into the air full of anger. “No! You owe me the money now. If not, I call the police. What is it gonna be?”

Tears threaten to spill. My eyes wander toward the dashboard glancing at the clock on the screen. The numbers reflect the time of 12:30.

Eager and desperate not to miss my train, I toss the ten-dollar bill at him and jump out of the cab. The cold, midnight sky shines from above as I dash toward the entrance of the station.

“Hey! Lady you get back here!”

I yell back toward the cab just as I’m to enter the train station. “I’m sorry! I can’t miss my train.”

My body pushes through the doors and my legs take off toward the platforms. The halls are practically empty with an eerie silence lingering behind. The sound of my heels pounding on the tiles echo off the walls and ceilings as I race toward the train.

The sound of the announcer vibrates from the speakers throughout the empty halls as I rush past a couple of pedestrians wandering the space. “Last call for Train 847 from New York to Connecticut. Now boarding at platform four.”

Shit. Shit. Shit.

A sleeping homeless man bundled up against the corner catches my view as I turn down the hall. Newspapers cover his body keeping him warm during these cold winter months. My eyes tear away from him and back toward my destination.

The signs for platform four come into view as I turn another corner. A smile spreads across my face just as my body slams right into a hard back and bounces off as I crash onto the floor.

My messenger bag spills over, displaying all its content onto the slippery tile as I cry out with shock. “Dammit!”

I glance over toward my left to find a tall and rugged man standing above me. His eyes meet mine as he lays out his hand for me. “You alright?”

His dark eyes send chills down my spine as I place my hand in his, allowing him to pull me off the floor.

I stand there, staring at him. His eyes send chills down my back as he squeezes my hand in his. My breath catches and stills as I get lost in the wonder of sudden acquaintances.

We stand there, in silence, staring at one another. A look of confusion spreads across his face as his eyes get even darker. The echoing sound of the train announcer startles me out of my trance.

I slip my hand out of his shaking away the strange feeling. Blinking away embarrassment, I bend down quickly to gather my things. I take a step toward the platform, not realizing that one of my heels broke. “Ahhh shit.”

I feel my cheeks heat with blush as I slip my shoes off my feet and toss them into my bag. I could sense the handsome stranger, watching me from behind. The intense stare from him melts into my back. I know he’s looking at me. I just know it.

Without even looking back at him, I take off toward the platform, just as he calls out. His deep voice sends shutters through my body as he yells. “Wait! Hold on a minute!”

Ignoring his request, I force my body to keep moving. Racing toward the platform, I finally reach the hall and rush down the steps toward the train. I cringe with disgust as my bare feet touch the dirty pavement of the steps. And at the moment, a loud chime from below vibrates throughout the platform.

“No, no, no!”

Just as I reach the bottom of the steps, I catch sight of my train, venturing off into the distance and towards Connecticut. My eyes fill with tears as my chest heaves with stress. Letting out a deep sigh, I can’t help but feel pissed off at myself. How could I miss the damn train?! Fuck. Now, I’m stuck in the city until the morning.

Rummaging through my bag, I scour its contents, looking for my damn cellphone. Where the hell is it? And then, it dawns on me. It must have fallen out of my bag when I fell.

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