A New York City Dream Series ~ Elizabeth Olsen

Strangers and Nicknames

Y/N POV

As the wind blows my hair wildly, I feel a presence sitting beside me on the bench I've inhabited in my efforts to escape my life for an afternoon. I wasn't planning on socializing so when the soft voice of the stranger beside me addressed me, I didn't even realize.

"Excuse me?" The soft raspy voice repeats, this time gaining my attention.

"Oh! Sorry, I was in my own world. What can I help you with?" I reply, having helped many people out in the city before, assuming she needs directions. As I try to make eye contact, I notice she has huge sunglasses covering her face, dark hair that shines in the sun's rays, and a simple cream colored shirt on her torso.

"I noticed you were thinking very deeply and just wanted to check on you" she states, gaining my surprise.

"Checking on a stranger?" I reply, quirking an eyebrow.

"There is such a thing as kindness in this crazy world you know" she smirks back at me. My stomach flutters, whoa that's a pretty smile.

"Oh there is? I forgot with all the shittiness lately. I'm okay, just processing a lot. Thank you for asking..." I pause for her name. She hesitates a few beats before replying.

"Beth, nice to meet you...?" She copies my tone and I chuckle.

"Y/N, it's a pleasure Beth, pretty name by the way," I smile as a faint blush fills her defined cheeks. There's something familiar about her. It's so easy to talk to her and feel comfortable, but I met her not even 5 minutes ago. Her voice sounds familiar but I can't place it.

"Thank you, Y/N. So, what brings you here to think about all of life's struggles?" She asks, suppressing a smile. I realize she's teasing me but brush it off.

"Well, I'm a teacher and this pandemic thing is making me crazy. I wish I could actually see my kids in person, but we are fully remote. It's a stressful time for teachers right now and it doesn't feel like people understand that. Plus, there's people deciding to go crazy now that some mandates are lifted. Violence makes me sick." I start to move my hands as my frustration manifests outside of my mind.

"Mhmm," she hums, "I think those are valid reasons to want an escape. It's good to take care of yourself." Her validation of my feelings makes me smile.

"Thank you, Beth. What about you? Are you escaping as well?" I quirk an eyebrow and twist my lips to the side, trying to hide the smile that wants to stay on my lips as I allow myself to quickly glance over her again. She's insanely attractive and I haven't even seen her eyes or full face yet. Her voice keeps pulling me in.

"You could say that...your name is beautiful too, by the way." She smirks at her lack of elaboration. She's trying to distract me from something hmmmm.

"Mysterious, I get it. And thank you, my mom named me after an actress or a princess, I don't remember" I furrow my eyebrows in thought.

"Oh no, not that face again," she smiles as I roll my eyes, "That's cool, are you an actress then? Since you are possibly named after one?" Her curiosity surprises me, it's just my name but it feels like she truly wants to know.

"God no! I would be horrible at that. Actors are insanely talented and their jobs must be so hard." I take a deep breath just thinking about being in a spotlight like that, I'd be a ball of anxiety.

"Interesting," she starts before taking a breath, "not many people think the glam life is hard." She hums as she looks over the people laid out on the grass in front of us. Before I can reply she continues, "You must be a princess then?" Her smirk makes me chuckle. I shake my head and ignore the comment.