story prompts.

prompt # 7

As Leonetta walks into the train station, her ears are filled with loud chatter from the crowds and deafening whistle blows. It had been a busy day at the station. People are probably going on vacation; after all, it is summer. She shrugs as she picks up her bag, huffing as she struggles to transport it due to its weight. She reconsiders whether her excessive packing was a good idea. She drops her bag the moment a body collides with hers. The stranger apologizes audibly. "Seriously?" she scoffs, annoyed with the stranger.

"M-miss, I am so sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you. I apologize!" the stranger frantically exclaimed. "It's fine," she said in a tone that clearly did not sound 'fine'. The stranger's constant apologies irritated her. She kneels down once more, picking up her bag and checking for damage. The stranger also kneeled down, wanting to assist. The stranger cast a glance at her, allowing him a clear view of her. "Leonetta?" the stranger inquired. How does this guy know my name? She took a slow look at him.

When she realized who it was, she tried hard not to roll her eyes. "Franco," she says, unimpressed. He grinned amusingly. "Miss Studious actually takes a vacation," he joked. I sighed and returned my attention to my bag. "If you have nothing else to say, I recommend you leave now before you miss your train," I said. He just shrugged and walked away. I stare at his figure, stunned. This man. I shook my head and walked towards the train.

Walking to my assigned cabin, I found myself making eye contact with familiar eyes once more. He seemed surprised to see me again. "Are you stalking me, Ms. Relleve?" I scoff, replying, "You wish!" and waving at an employee for assistance. They smiled and greeted me. "I was wondering if there was any other cabin available left?" I inquired. The employee shook their head, giving me a sympathetic smile. "Unfortunately, ma'am, all the cabins are full." I nod in response.

"However, I can ask other passengers if they are willing to switch cabins with you," they offer. I look between the train employee and Franco, debating whether to change. It might not be that bad to share a cabin with him, right? I sighed defeatily and shook my head at the employee. "I'll manage here; thank you." Hopefully, I'm making the right choice here. They smiled again before continuing on their way. I entered the cabin and stowed my bag in the compartments above our heads.

"Hi there, Roomie," Franco said, waving at me. I disregarded him. I scanned the seats and noticed two bags. I pointed to the bags and asked Franco, "Are these yours?" He nodded, still wearing that dopey smile. "Can you move them?" I gently inquired. He shook his head, making my brow furrow in frustration. "No?" I crossed my arms, impatiently tapping my foot on the carpeted floor. "Why not?" I asked, keeping my composure. "Just because," he shrugged, raising my blood pressure. I am beginning to regret my decision.

I take a deep breath to calm myself down. "What about that bag beside you?" I inquire. He points to an olive-green duffel bag. "This?" I respond with a nod. When he shook his head "no" again, I raised my voice to a shout. "Where do you-" I exhaled loudly to calm myself down. "Where do you expect me to sit, Chavez?" I ask. He smirks. I could tell he was about to say something inappropriate. "What if y--" I interrupted him. "If you seriously propose that I sit on your lap, I will kill you," I stated.

He suppressed a laugh and cleared his throat. "Do your words always have to be mean?" he asked, tilting his head slightly. "Do you have to be insufferable all the time?" I shot back. A brief moment of silence passed. He simply smiled and then moved his bag. "Touché." I sat beside him and tried to ignore him throughout the train ride. As the train rattled on, the tension between us lingered, palpable but unspoken. The rhythmic clatter of the tracks seemed to emphasize the increasing distance between our seats.

The train ride continued, punctuated by awkward looks and mutual unease that neither of us were brave enough to express. Despite the picturesque sights outside, our internal landscapes remained chaotic as we were both engrossed in our own thoughts and completely aware of one another's presence. The stillness between us became louder with each mile, a sign of the unspoken tensions that remained simmering beneath the surface.