The Stranger on the Train

Chapter 7: Park

Pov y/n

After a little while of walking, we finally reach the park and Scarlett lets go of Rose's hand so she can run around now. We watch her skip in front of us, running to the side of the way and picking a daisy. She comes back to us and shows us the flower. We smile at her and Scarlett carefully clips it into Rose's hair. That makes her beam up at us before running ahead a little.

"She really is such a sweet child." I say, not directly to Scarlett, more into the world. I catch Scarlett glancing at me with a smile on her lips.

"Yes, she really is." She agrees, her eyes back on her daughter. "There are moments where she has a tantrum or just doesn't want to listen but that's part of childhood. Otherwise she is really the sweetest."

I can hear the adoration in Scarlett's voice as she speaks about her daughter.

"And very curious too." I chuckle when Rose runs up to a tree to take a closer look. She runs her hands over the bark of the tree, looking up at it.

"Oh definitely. She likes to explore and to learn new things. The way she sees the world is something I wish I also still had. Being curious about everything, being in awe about small things because they seem like a wonder and exploring the world with an open mind and heart." Scarlett says a little nostalgic. I hum in response, my eyes looking at the blonde woman next to me.

"To me you seem pretty open minded and hearted." I share and she turns to look at me, a genuine sparkle in her eyes.

"Do you really think so?" She asks back, glancing over to Rose to not lose her.

"Yes. I mean I don't know you that well obviously but from what I've experienced, you never seemed closed off. When Rose first started talking to me, you didn't stop her and paid attention to my reaction but not judging me." I explain what I mean and Scarlett nods in agreement.

"You just gave off a calm, friendly vibe. Call it intuition but something inside me told me, that you wouldn't be mean or rude to Rose." She lets me in on her side of the story. I smile at her in thanks and we follow Rose who just spotted the playground. She jumps up and down in excitement, running back to us and tugging on Scarlett's hand to get us there faster.

"Come on, Mommy. They have a huge slide." She tells us excitedly. We walk a little faster, not wanting to make Rose wait too long.

As soon as we reach the playground, Rose runs off to climb up the slide tower. Scarlett and I sit down on a bench from where she can see her daughter.
For a few seconds, she looks around us as if she was looking for something. When she doesn't find it, she relaxes and leans more against the back of the bench.

Rose found another kid on the climbing frame and they start to play with each other.

"She's really open towards other people." I observe without judgement. Scarlett nods.

"She is, sometimes a little too open maybe. I had a lot of talks with her about stranger danger and I think she gets what I mean by that but she's just too curious to not interact with other people she doesn't know. Usually kids though, which isn't that dangerous. I just don't like her talking to adults without me being with her. On the train I was right next to her and could have protected her from any possible danger. But again, you didn't seem to be dangerous." Scarlett explains and her eyes end up looking at me.

I nod and also look at her. For a few seconds I get lost in the green of her eyes before I catch myself and look at my hands that are folded in my lap while I feel the blush in my cheeks. Before I can say something, probably stupid, Rose comes running at us.

"Will you come play with me, y/n?" She asks me and does her best puppy dog eyes. My heart melts immediately and I agree and stand up.
Rose takes my hand and with the other she pulls the hat off her head and gives it to her mom.