Alone Together

The Big City

Jonathan POV

The bass thuds in my earbuds. I can't help but tap my foot to the beat. The world is flying by the train's window, passing in flying colors. Eighteen sure is worth a million dollars. Being on my own is what I always wanted. To be able to do things my way. It's a great feeling to be able to run through a Wal-Mart and play in the kids isle and get banned for twenty-four hours.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder, jerking my gaze away from the window. I saw the waitress (?) with a bright smile looking down at me. I smiled back and pulled my headphones out of my ears.

"Yeah?" I asked her in the most polite way I could. She had the greenest eyes you've ever seen. Evergreen and fern mixed.

"Sorry to ruin your music session" she giggled and covered her mouth to hide it, then went back to what she was saying before, "but the train is about three and a half minutes away from the stop. Go ahead and get your baggage, hon".

"Ok, thank you-?" I looked for a name tag but there wasn't one. I was caught between a rock and a hard place.

"Miss Young, or Claire" I smiled and nodded my head. I stood up and limped my tired legs over to my baggage. No sooner I got there, the train came to an abrupt halt, almost sending me into cardiac arrest.

"Woo" I said with extra sarcasm as I stepped off the train's rusty steps and waved 'bye' to Claire. Chicago, here I am. I paid my city fee and welcomed myself to the cool Illinois city air. Concrete jungle indeed.

Cars passed, in all colors. Horns honked, sirens blared, the smell of food overwhelmed the streets. I won't be here for long, but long enough to start a new beginning.

Evan POV

Duffel bag in hand and rain ahead, I was ready. I'm already where I need to be. I wrote a note to Aunt Jane, telling her I'll be home when most possible, and that I needed a lot of time to do my own things. I wrote to her not to worry. That I'll be fine with some friends in Illinois. David and Craig were my best bet at a new clean slate. I set off down the road, calling for any car to pick me up and take me to Chicago.

After about five passings, one older man decided to stop and help me out.

"Where you goin' boy?" He asked with a warm tone.

"Chicago. If it's not to hard to get there?".

"Nope not at all. Hop in".

"Thank you. I need a fresh start".

"I can understand that, son".

---

"Bro! You made it Evan!" David body slammed me into the hallway that I was trying to get out of.

"I.. Uh missed you too, man" I could hardly speak from such an impact. It blew the wind out of me.

"Jesus Daithi! Put Evan down!" Craig came out from the back bedroom and boomed his unlovable British voice.

David or Daithi, apologized and sat me down, inviting me inside their low rent apartment in the process. They had made a pretty good living off of doing whatever it is David's and Craig's do. I walked in a was blasted with the smell of mangos.

"Evan! Ey!" Craig wrapped me in a bear hug, which was hard, considering we're about the same size. I just have a more built frame. And as for David, a walking Stick. Literally.

"Hey man! I can't believe I'm here with two fully grown adults!" I patted his back and unlocked myself from his cage of arms.

"Yeah man. Two nineteen year olds living together with a lame freshman!" David laughed then nudged me in the neck with his elbow.