Late Night Out

*12:35am*

12:35am

"Alright, now enlighten me, what's a fine fellow like you doing walking around the dingy streets of New York?"

He raises his eyebrow in curiosity, "isn't that an insult to the city you call home?"

He's dodging the question.

"Temporary home," I correct, "I'm just here to complete my studies."

"But you chose to come here, didn't you?"

"Who said it was for the city?"

We pave our way down the streets in the dark. The sun has gone down and the only source you can rely on are the flickering street lamps overhead. Every crack and crevice seems more threatening, but the stars have come out to play tonight. They dot the sky with their delicate sparkle and when you gaze up above, the world seems endless.

"I'll spill the beans if you tip yours as well," he finally breaks the silence.

Pour my soul out to a stranger?

Eh, why not? I've already let him into my apartment, took him out for coffee and we've probably got a lot of awkward gaps to fill. Why not kill some time? It's not like we'll be seeing each other after this is over.

"Deal." I outstretch my hand to shake on it.

On a side note, who even says phrases like that? Ones that definitely haven't caught on the trend train.

He grasps my miniature hand - compared to his - and gives a good, firm shake.

"Let's play a typical ice breaker otherwise known as 20 questions." I suggest to get the ball rolling.

He shows no indifference, so I'll count that as a yes.

"Okay," I string out the word. "First question - where are you from?" Might as well get down to the nitty gritty details that I have no intentions of waiting any longer to find out.

"I walked right into that one, didn't I?" He sighs contemplating his answer.

My head bobs up and down in a spring like motion.

Quinn bends down to level his mouth next to my ear and whispers, "are you by any chance planning to stalk me after this night comes to an end?" His voice sounds as if he's taunting me.

"I can't; no good transportation of my own whatsoever." I cleverly point out.

"You take a bus to school?"

"No. I call a Cassie."

Just when I am doubting his ability to give one word answers at the least, he musters up his gut and replies, "Canada".

"Ah, the north where the cold brazes the land in its never ending winter season." I lavish in the country's most well known attribute.

"We have our summer days, but you get used to it." He shrugs nonchalantly.

"Alright, enough of that. Time for your redemption; ask me anything." I nod for him to shoot.

"Ever thought about self harming?" Quinn asks out of the blue, catching me off guard.

Panic. Only a hint of it finds its way rising up in my throat, clogging it up. A lump swelling that I have to swallow down. Composure, I've got to keep my cool.

"Pondered over the topic, yes. How could you not, with social media bringing attention to our generation about cyber bullying and what not." I manage out praying that there was no detectable quiver in my voice.