Perfect Strangers [[A Short Story]]

I-A

The morning of the 26th of September 1990, Agloe, NY

JADE LAVENBROOKE

Classes are starting today for Jade Lavenbrooke. The gentle autumn breeze swept her dark hazel hair. The anxiety of being a freshman was evident on her face. Her mind was busy with thoughts about college. She cannot believe that her tedious days in high school would lead to this. She was set to study at Aethergrace Academy, a simple and a not-so-known college in New York. As she walked down the sidewalk of her local neighborhood, she began to ponder about how the beginning of her college life will be.

Will I fail?

Am I meant for this course?

What impression will I make?

Will my teachers be strict?

These and many more thoughts flooded her brain as she went towards the bus stop.

In the subway, many people were waiting to ride a train. As soon as she stepped into a train, she noticed that she would have to stand for all the seats were full, but due to her keen eyes; she found an empty seat near the corner of the bus.

Aha! A spot! She spoke out loud in her thoughts. She ran towards it, but a boy, about 6 and feet tall, with blue eyes and blonde hair, beat her to it.

"Hey!" she yelled indignantly

"I'm sorry, but I got the seat first. If you want a seat... I guess you could..." the boy spoke out

She thought he would be a gentleman and give her the seat but what he said afterwards pissed her off.

"...find one for your own." the boy teased with a cheeky grin

Such a simple sentence made the train ride very annoying, besides the fact that she needed to stand for the whole ride.

The afternoon of the 26th of September 1990, Aethergrace Academy, Manhattan, NY

JADE LAVENBROOKE

As the first half of the day finished, Jade became hungry. She had not expected Marketing to be so hard. She went to the cafeteria to grab some food when a boy caught her attention. He looked familiar to her, but his back was turned at her. The boy turned around and immediately, she recognized him.

He was the boy at the train! The one who took the seat from me! She thought, all the memories of the event came crashing back and she became even more annoyed than before. She ran towards him and exclaimed,

"You! Aren't you the boy from the train?" She said angrily

The boy remained calm and talked to her with the cheeky smile he also made when he first met her.

"Well yes, I am. Do we have something we need to settle?" He replied nonchalantly, playing stupid.

This only made Jade more irritated.

"Don't play innocent with me mister! If you didn't take the seat from me, we won't be fighting right now."

"You chose to notice me instead of just ignoring me, which would have been better for the both of us."

"Grrrr... I don't want to deal with people like you!"

With that final retort, she stormed off to grab some lunch, grumbling as she ate like a savage beast.

FRANK SILVERSMITH

After eating, Frank went outside to calm his nerves. His life would've been easier if that girl just swallowed her pride. In reality, he was a true gentleman. In fact, he'd help anyone who is in need of it but that girl did not have a valid reason. As the girl approached him, he prepared for the worst. If the girl won't back down, he won't either.