FICKLE HEART

Fickle As A Feather

I am reading a travel guide on Fortrose when my phone rings out loud in the carousel area. I see several tired looking shooting at me. I roll my eyes. I am aware of the horrible bumpy ride which several of my air companions and I had to endure. I was probably going to be jet lagged heavy and my body aching in several spots at severe measures.

I see Rachel's call ID and I pick up, trying to sound not a little to rough from my scratchy throat. I need to brush my teeth also! "Hey Rachel! I just reached Edinburg. My train to Fortrose is not another three hours later."

A thick silky Scottish accent fills in my ears,
"Great, Keira! Can't wait to meet you. I am just calling to let you know Elon won't be at home so I will be waiting for you when you come."

I bite my lip. I had forgotten about the brother. I will be staying with a man. I try not to think on it too much but I am slightly on the safety net from the opposite sex. I have never had a boyfriend nor was I willing with my schedule. Secondly, I don't trust men on account of my own emotional demons that visit me in the night. Thirdly and this is probably the only thing that I have secluded myself from men is that I have never had sex. I am a lady in my late twenties and I am still a virgin. I had two lusty slippery kisses in my college years and that's where the line is drawn.

Not that I am worried about this new roommate. I think it will be fine. I am tough. I have a very charming way about myself. And lastly, I am slightly on the plus side of my figure. I have hour glass shape with a heavy chest and a very big butt. I have not seen any men glance at my direction due to this reason. Yes, it saddens me to not be wanted or be attracted like the way my sisters are. I have the two of them. One is the eldest, Yvette King and the youngest, Egypt King. I am the middle sister. We are part Indian and part American who grew up in the big city of New York. I feel like I'm more infused to my American side than my Indian side which triggers people into thinking that I am not very grounded to my roots. My parents were part of my way of growing up. My grandparents came to New York City at the 1800s and my mother met an American chartered account whom she fell in love with and had the three of us.

I blink my eyes to shed the welled up emotion suddenly caught in my eyelashes. I move in the line to get my Uber cab. I need to get to the train station soon. I had a teacher who told me when you are on time, you are late. I check my phone for any emails. Two new ones from the travel company that hired me for my words and the way I whirl, twirl and swirl it to feast them into the travel brochures, websites and advertising. I don't have a fancy job but I get paid in the air miles and the pleasure for travel. I have done most of the Southern cities in the southern countries of Asia. Few in the States. This is going to be my first time in Europe though. Especially at a very small town.

I reach my Uber, double checking if she is the driver. After, I slip and pile my suitcases beside me. We begin the tiresome journey to the train station. I try to stay awake but I quickly snooze out until I hear the driver literally yelling at me to get up. I don't even have time to rub my eyes as I gauge where we are. I hear the engines and whistles of the trains. I gingerly step out, slamming the door of the cab. I wince. I never enjoyed creating and being in a conflict but sometimes, my tempers seeps past me and electrocute my body parts. Just like now. It has zipped a line into my hands as I slammed that cab door. I don't have to know if the driver is giving me the finger. I just make headway to the ticket counter.

It flies by me. Checking the timing of the train, the checking of my bags and making sure of my money, times flies by me as I wait for the train.
I answer quick emails and re read the message from Rachel. Excited to meet you! Let me know when you have reached. Made some homemade cookies for your arrival.

I knew Rachel from my friends in Thailand. Anita was one of their names, I think. We were actually friends through my landlady and the only thing she and I had in common was weed. Girl smokes like a chimney. I partake now and then but I had been going through severe depression during that time. So I indulged in heavily and we became weed buddies then. She was helpful too. I kept zoning through Facebook to see whether people were looking for roommates or have a place to rent in Fortrose but none prevailed. I got desperate so I decided to slam messages to anyone in my huge contact list, WhatsApp groups and finally, Anita texted me with Rachel's information. It looked good and safe enough. Only until recently with just the sibling change. What was his name again? I scroll my messages to find the particular text where I remember Rachel mentioning his name. Before I could find the text, I hear the announcing for my train. I immediately ready myself, clicking my phone off. I'll check it later. I had a four hour ride ahead of me. I looked up at the sky through the clear glass roof. It was slightly midday. I probably reach there by sundown.