I stand cramped between two passengers on the night train, my arm hooked around a pole to prevent myself from crashing into the poor man in front of me. My heart rapidly beats, like an insect trapped beneath a cup, as I bounce on the ball of my feet. I feel like a looming grey cloud, ready to pour rain at any unsuspecting moment. I glance down at my phone, looking at the text message that's been haunting me all day.
Theo:
you're free tonight right? i'm cooking dinner
please come
Me:
okay, ive been wanting to come over anyways
Theo:
aw been missing me too, huh?
I felt the queasy dread overcome me again, my stomach feeling tight and tense as I click my phone off and stuff it deep into the pockets of my coat. The train halts to a stop, making me trip and fall against the man in front of me.
"Sorry!" I say when he turned to scowl at me, as some people quickly scurry off the carriage before they miss their stop, freeing up some seats and space. Passengers in the carriage start to rearrange themselves, quickly heading to the now empty seats or spacious spots left by the fleeting passengers. I quickly squeeze through some people, beating someone to the last available seat at the very back of the carriage, sitting between a mother with a weeping child and a seemingly business man, talking on the phone.
The train starts moving again, the quiet whir of the wheels against the tracks becoming white noise. I stare at a young couple in front of me, teasing and flirting with each other as the boy wraps his arm around the blushing girl's waist. I smile at the memories creeping up in my mind. My first date with Theo.
YOU ARE READING
Champagne Problems
Short StoryChampagne Problems - A Short Story After eight years of bliss, Mallory and Theo finds themselves preparing for their big day, both meeting at their small town, one to end it and one who brought a ring. *Please remember that this short story is loose...
