The Last Time

Chapter 2

Early January

Arriving at the train station with her ticket already in hand, she walks to the platform, distracted, Eleanor decides whether she wants to get Starbucks, quickly changing direction she bumps into someone

"Oh, sorry I wasn't paying attention"

"No that's okay I wasn't paying attention either"

"Getting a better look at the stranger she feels she recognizes him from somewhere but can't seem to put her finger on it."

She quickly moves on and heads to the Starbucks

After receiving her coffee she heads towards the platform, waiting for the train to arrive.
Today she'll be returning to Oxford to continue her studies.

Sipping on her coffee, she notices the same man in the distance with two others.

Then it hits her, that's Prince Alexander right? Is it? she isn't sure, why would a prince be at a train station in Birmingham of all places.

Seeing the train arrive she gathers her things and waits for the train to stop so she can get on.

Taking her standard seat she stares out the window. There are people who are trying to figure out where to go others rushing for the train.

"Is this seat taken?"

Startled, she looks at the person who interrupted her daydreaming
It's definitely the prince now that she gets a better look at him.

"Uhm it's not"

Noticing empty seats around them she wonders why he would take a seat next to her.

"Of to Uni I see" He says, ending the awkward silence

Looking down at my uniform
I nod. "Oh yeah, I'm about to start my Hilary term."

"Ah. I don't seem to recognize your uniform which uni do you go to?"

"Oxford at Magdalen College"

"oh nice, one of the best colleges out there"

"which college did you go to?"

Well, that was stupid question Eleanor.
Everybody knows which school he went to

"Cambridge, I wasn't accepted at Oxford"

"Really?"

"Yeah, Luckily, Cambridge decided to take pity in me" he responds with a smile.

An awkward silence falls again.

Breaking it yet again, he says "Listen, I don't want this to be awkward between us but the reason why I'm sitting here and talking to you is.... I noticed you the other day and I mean.... this is really awkward." He stammered. "I normally don't do this and I thought you looked lovely and I just wanted to get to know you."

"You've seen me before?"

"I have, this isn't the first time we bumped into each other?"

And then she remembers it on the way to work she bumped into a man she didn't even bother to look up to see who it was, just rushing away so she didn't miss the train

"Right I'm sorry about that as well then"

"You don't have to apologize"

Not wanting him to feel uncomfortable she decides to start the next conversation.

"Sooo where are you off to then?"

"I'm visiting a charity in Reading than of to London"

"Oh nice, but why are you in Birmingham?"

"Oh, I've been staying with a friend actually who's from there"

"Did you enjoy it in Birmingham?"

"I did, are you native from there?"

"Yes, born and raised. I don't think I've ever left Birmingham before I went to Uni."

"Seriously? You should explore a bit more, you should definitely visit London just tell me when, and I'll gladly be your tour guide" he jokes

Smiling Eleanor replies
"I'll keep you to that promise then"

They spend the rest of the train ride talking and becoming more comfortable around each other and when it's time for Eleanor to get off they say their goodbyes.
Walking towards the exit she looks back one more time and sees Alexander looking at her, giving him a wave, she turns and heads towards the direction of the Magdalen College