A drink with the stars

1.

"Easy Tiger," came a soft voice from behind, I hadn't realised my balance was off, and I felt the gentle yet strong touch of hands at my back, righting me up. I was caught off guard; trying to stand yet look toward the source of the voice. The convenience store I was in was busy, and the mixture of my jet lag, hunger and buzz of the bright fluorescent lights was an exhausting combination, and after readjusting the packets of microwave rice that were tucked in my arms I turned to thank the stranger.
"It's okay," the blonde said, as I met blue eyes, her smiling face partially hidden by her dark hoodie, a few curls bounced as she nodded, "literally falling for me hey?" The stranger snorted, and I readjusted my purchase, smiling politely, my lips thin and tight and I thanked her again. The buzz of the lights suddenly making me aware of the blaring headache I was developing and I stepped forward joining the slow moving line toward the register. The stranger took a few steps close behind me, also joining the queue and I heard her clear her throat, I turned to her, noting that she looked me up and down briefly, my dishevelled attire didn't say much apart from the fact that I either didn't own an iron or yes I'd spent the last twenty four hours flying across the world to New York. I smiled at the stranger again, still awaiting her to say something, but she just looked back at me with a jovial smile, as though we were sharing as private joke, so I turned back, nearing the front of the queue.

I wanted to retreat quickly from the store, it was cold and loud, the lights contributing to my growing headache and I desperately wanted to be enjoying more than a microwave rice meal after an exhausting journey, but my three star hotel room provided nothing more than a kettle and microwave, and I knew I should have looked at renting an apartment instead. It wasn't going to be a brief visit to the states but it was going to be one which required me spending the least amount of money to be able to stay for the longest period of time, thus a cheap hotel room over a more substantial and comfortable apartment.

I felt hands on my upper back again, and I righted myself quickly and spun around, knowing it was the same woman behind me but at the same time worried I was about to be mugged. The blonde must have seen the fear in my face and she raised both hands, palms flat and facing me, "Hey," she started, her blue eyes concerned and beautiful and almost like looking into an ocean, and I swallowed, hard. "Hey," she repeated, bringing both hands to the edge of her hood, as if in surrender, pulling it back to expose her blonde locks, they framed her gentle looking face, which had now changed from a concerned look to one of kindness and almost a softness. "Hey," she whispered softly, yet again, "are you okay, you're a bit off balance.." I sighed and turned a little more to her, nodding, "It's been a long day," I shrugged, "low blood sugar," I explained, tapping the instant rice I was cradling in my arms. The stranger nodded weakly, then turned away, facing the shelf that was close behind her, picking up random candy bars and hastily shoving them into my arms. I snorted at her response, "These really aren't going to help," I laughed as I again re-adjusted my arms, the bars haphazardly being cradled, and I laughed again softly, my eyes meeting with the crystal blue ones again. The blonde grinned, parting her full lips as though she was going to speak but stopped as I was called to the counter. I turned away from the odd woman, placing my items on the counter, paying and I turned to the woman again briefly, pausing to acknowledge her with a tight smile and she nodded a farewell, as I exited through the doors of the store.

Although it was loud with traffic outside, the coolness of the early evening was a relief after the buzz of the artificial lighting and I paused after a few steps, inhaling hard, dodging the bustle of pedestrians, and I looped the shopping bag over my wrist, stepping closer to a wall between two stores. I reached inside the back pocket of my jeans, pulling out my phone, I took a quick look at the time and scanned for any messages before deciding my next tactic, catching the subway to my hotel? or making the twenty minute walk? I decided on the latter, even though my head had started to pound, and I knew I wasn't great on my feet but the air was sure to help right, plus I could probably enjoy one of the chocolates the concerned stranger had added to my purchase. I chuckled out loud, and reached into the bag as I started to head toward the direction of my hotel, pulling out one of the never before seen candy.