One Cold Summer

Losing Grip

The evening was a particularly cold one. The wind was so cold that the minute it touched your skin you'd have had goosebumps. Ria tried to bundle herself to get more warmth as she crossed the street from her sisters downtown apartment and made her way into busy south square. It was always busy in southsquare. It was that one place that never truly slept. People were walking up and down the streets buying food and watching the street performers as they did neat tricks. Ria walked through the busy crowd brushing past people trying to get to the taxi stand. She needed a taxi to go home.

As She made her way across the street to the taxi stand she heard someone say. "Where are you headed to beautiful"

She turned to yell "none of your damn business" but choked on her words when she turned because the man standing across the street was a dream come true. He was dressed in a suit and tie and he looked dashing. He was freshly shaved because she could smell his aftershave from where she was standing. He had 2 deep dimples that seemed to sink deeper into his cheeks as he smiled.

"excuse me?" she asked politely as  she walked back over to the sidewalk where he was standing. As she inched closer she could also smell his limited edition calvin klein perfume. The scent was intoxicating and more heavenly than she had imagined.

"I asked where are you off to. Its too late for you to be wandering southsquare by yourself and at these hours of the night." He seemed genuinely concerned and there was a tone to his voice that seemed trusting.

"well I was just heading to get a taxi when you stopped me."

"My Apologies, I had no idea. Can I make it up to you by walking with u to the building at least?"

Ria thought about it for a while. Why was he so interested in knowing where she was going?

"you know...i dont really think that is a good idea." she said with a hint of fear.

"and why not" he asked. Was this dude serious? Hasn't he heard stories of women who have been targeted and raped by men that tried to 'Help' a woman find their way home.

She tried to find an excuse that totally wouldnt offend him.

"Ummm...it's just tht I dont really know your name and .."

"My name is Nathan" He said cutting her off. "Its nice to meet you by the way. It's completely  understandable why you wouldnt want to, I am very sorry for asking."

Wow! He was polite and it was almost as if he could read the words that her mind was screaming and was just ready to respond. Some part of her was already liking this guy but she just didnt want to admit it to him that she was kind of crushing. The crowd was starting to disperse and people were starting to walk towards them.

"on second thought, I would really love that." The minute she said that he smiled and stepped towards her. His smile was so darn beautiful. His teeth were perfectly white and the light from the store across the street made them glisten like diamonds in a display case.

They crossed the street together weaving through cars that were parked on the side of the street.

There was an old man huddled on a bench trying to keep warm. His clothes were tattered and he was really dirty.  Ria looked up at Nathan and their eyes connected.

"you know, you never told me what your name was ." He said looking away and smiling.

"its Ria-Olivia but you can just call me ria." she smiled as she walked looking down at her shoes with every step. a gush of wind blew up some leaves on the side of the street causing them to spin like a mini tornado. Ria shivered.