Strangers

  “ALL ABOARD!” The conductor yells.
  “Tickets please.”
  “Ticket.”
  “Ticket, sir?”
  I hand him my paper slip and choose the closet seat to the window. The train’s horn blasts, and we move.

  I took a deep breath.

  Even after 3 years, it drains me to get on this train. I stare out of the window, the only way to distract myself from everything.
  Cars, buildings, even other trains fall behind us. So many people. So many experiences. Lost in an instant, thanks to a speeding train filled with the same empty faces of people I will never meet.

So lost in thought, I didn’t even notice we had hit our first stop until someone cleared her voice.
  “H-hi, is this seat taken?”
I blinked out of my daydream and looked up. She had on a cold but oddly warm blue tank top with casual jeans. Her face was magnificent. Her glowing blond hair complimented her magnetic blue eyes. She looked caring, but also familiar.
  “I’m sorry, But…ha-have we met before?”
  Her caring, sincere voice changed, puzzled, “I don’t believe so. I’m new here so I don’t really know anyone.” She pointed back at the seat in front of me. I nodded, turning back at the window.
  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed her staring at me. Her blue eyes analyzing everything about me, almost as if she was trying to find a way to open me up.
  I turned to acknowledge her.
  “So do you live around here?” She asked.
  I gave a brief pause. Should I really try to get to know this girl? It would just cause both of us pain.

  Against my better judgement though, I spoke. “Not exactly, I live near the previous station.”
  “Oh ok!” She smiled, giving me all of her attention. “So what brings you to the train?”
  I looked away and paused, “I’m meeting someone.”
  Her expression changed, concerned, “You don’t seem too excited about it.”
  “Well-”
**Attention passengers, due to technical difficulties we will be having an emergency stop at the next station to make a 2 hour repair.**
  “Well, that seems oddly specific.” I turned back at her.
  She agreed, glancing at her watch. Her face lit up and she grabbed my arm, “This is perfect! It’s peak day and we have 2 hours to make the most of it. Let’s go explore!”
  “Ow! Watch the arm!” I cried out.

  We walked all around town, from gift shops to clothes stores. Nothing was particularly special about this town, but that didn’t stop this girl from having the time of her life.
  After an hour of exploring, we found ourselves in a local restaurant. The host sat us down at a booth right by the window. After ordering our drinks, I stared out.
  A few minutes go by, the silence must’ve become unbearable for her, “You know what I find intriguing about you?”
  I was caught off guard. What could be intriguing about me? I’ve barely even spoken to this girl, Hell, I don’t even know her name.
  “You’re intriguing because even when you’re trying to distance yourself from the world, you still followed me around and gave me company. Me! A complete stranger.” She leaned across and grabbed my hands. I looked over and jumped back. It was Her! This can’t be possible. “Even after 3 years, you still won’t let me go. Instead you continue to hold on to the past and close yourself off.”
  I jumped out of the booth and shouted back, “You don’t know anything about me! No one will!”
  But she changed back to the girl from the train. A stunning mixture of fear and concern on her face.
  “Where is she!? Where did she go!?” I demanded.
  “Wh-who are you talking about? It's just you and I.”
  I searched around and she was right. It was just us, along with the empty faces of customers and staff. The whole restaurant was devoid of any sign of...Her.
  “I can’t do this, I’m going to get some air.”

  Deep breath in.
  Deep breath out.
  Deep breath in.
  Deep breath out.

  I felt a comfortable feeling on my back. I turned to find the nails of the girl from the train, tracing up and down. We just stood there. Unspoken words being held back. Feelings being chained down from floating up. No noises to interrupt this simple moment.
  Just two strangers enjoying each other's company. Unlike everyone else, she has a face. She’s not just a faceless figure, she isn’t a missed experience, she wasn’t taken but given.
Should I really let this person leave my life like everyone else?

  I looked up at her, embracing her warm body into my arms.
  A few moments go by until I finally snap back.
  What am I doing? I can’t just let Her go for some girl from a train. I can’t let her go. I won’t let her go. But I can’t get out of this hug. I won’t let go.
  But she did. She looked at her watch and sighed, “We should head back.”
  I nodded but paused, “Actually, I think I saw a flower store earlier. Do you mind if we go by there real fast?”
  She shook in enthusiasm and we began our journey back.

  Back on the train, we sat in silence. Simply enjoying each other's presence. Once arriving at her station, she got up and handed me a slip of paper full of numbers. Her phone number.
  “I hope to hear from you, stranger.” With a smile and a kiss on the cheek, she was gone.
  I was left with a bouquet of daisies in one handed and a phone number in the other.
  I guess I have a decision to make.

  Finally arriving at my stop, I made a quick way to my destination. I walked into the building, greeting some of the workers, and headed out to the field.
  And there it was. Barely anything left around it, only surrounded by dead flowers.

  Deep breath in.
  Deep breath out.

  I approached the grave, placing down the flowers. “I brought some daisies for my beautiful Daisy.” I chuckled, but took another breath, “Daisy...I’m, I’m so sorry. I don't know what to do anymore!”
  I collapsed, “I don’t want to do this anymore! I don’t even want to admit this but...I’ve met someone. I’ve fallen for this girl, I don’t want to lose her like everyone else! I can’t continue holding onto the past.”
  Silence followed my words, surrounding the air. Such a huge weight has been lifted off but in it’s absence felt empty.
  I know Daisy would-has wanted me to move on. I guess it's time for me to fulfill her wish. I pulled out my phone.
  ‘Hey stranger,’ I texted.