Black Sheep

Eyes that Burn Holes

         It was a difficult attempt, but successful.  I made to New York within minutes with the nap I took. My mother probably would have killed me if she knew about how I never made it to CSUN and to a school much farther the the few in California. I get off and down the steps thanking the attendant for the snacks she provided for me. I made my way toward the device that held my bright blue suit case you couldn't miss. As I exit the station I was stunned, the golden sun scraped its way between a few buildings. It seems everyone was moving and alive and I simply stood there in awe. I looked over at a couple calling a cab, and realized I needed to hurry and meet my friend Halsey at a coffee shop near our university, NYU. 
Halsey is my best friend; she is always there for me, kind of like an older sister. She helped me get into NYU and now, before I find an apartment, she said I can stay at her friends Dorm. I struggled to get a spot on the curb with my heap of a suit case and called for a cab. Luckily on my third try someone came by. He looked about his late thirties, when he came up to me and shook my hand as he helped me put the troublesome bag in the trunk. I sat in the front to be polite and we drove in awkward silence all the way, which seemed longer then my plane ride. When we got to the coffee shop I made sure to give him a tip and double check the address. I strolled toward the entrance. With big letters the sign said, “Marcy’s Best,” when a more interesting sight caught my attention. It looked like a bookstore and it seemed a bit tiny next to the gigantic coffee shop. Almost on instinct, I randomly wandered in and was astonished; the choices of these books some as old as time, and others by new expressive artists. I started on a row full of horror and mystery, and I grabbed a few Edgar Allen Poe books, and reached my way toward the crappy romance stories. I cracked one open just to make fun of how corny it is. I opened Pride and Prejudice ready to laugh at cliché quotes, when it became interesting. Immediately I found myself actually liking what has been written and kept it under my arm with the other few horror stories, when I turned the curb, I bumped my way into an unfamiliar shoulder, causing my novels and my pride to fall to the floor. “You should really pay some damn attention while walking” the obnoxious guy snapped, I deliberately ignored him grabbing one book at a time “Some of us are trying to actually educate ourselves, while here you are bumping into people like you aren’t a problem” as soon as he spat those words, I snapped, “Listen, you seem super fucking nice, but it’s not my fault your lurking in the shadows, of course I wouldn’t be able to notice you standing there you invisible prick!” I tried so hard to not find myself screaming, but it wasn’t any use. Anybody at least fifteen feet away should have heard me. My cheeks instantly flamed and I struggled to stifle a nervous laugh while looking at an annoyed older woman, before rushing toward the clerk carrying my books in my hand. “Hi my name is Timothy, and I will do the honors of charging you for some books,” I received a warm smile from Timothy and I did the same in return, “Hey umm..wait a second I think I’m missing one” I was frantic for a moment realizing the romance novel had disappeared, but what if it was a sign from god that I could live without another sappy love story. “Err.. Never mind I have everything,” I place a mountain of books on the platform, taking time to notice Timothy as he grabs each book. He has hazel eyes and dark hair that seems to be pushed back, which looks real good. He’s wearing a t-shirt with some band I don’t know and a flannel over. A loose strand from my hair leaves my ear. When I push the obnoxious brown thing back, that movement catches Timothy’s attention when we both make eye contact and smile, this seems nice and warm, but I find myself back in reality, “So this is where you work? Seems amazing, I’d kill for a job like this.” I’ve always found myself so interested in books ever since I was ten and read my first mystery book, and the rest of the Nancy Drew collection. “Yeah it’s really boring sometimes though, but there are always intriguing new people,” he nods toward me and I know my cheeks are light pink right now, why is he so nice? Ugh. “Oh and you never told me your name.” He smiles at me and I can’t believe I was so oblivious to the fact I never even said my name. “Its Bridget, but my friend’s call me Birdie” why in the world did I just say that, I smile to cover the embarrassment behind it. “Birdie…that’s beautiful” he surprises me and hands me a bag full of my books. He gives me a remarkably adoring smile before I reach to grab my suit case, my suit case..Oh no. I start to rush toward an aisle with my bag in hand and turn back, “ It was nice meeting you Timothy, I know I’ll see you soon” I wave goodbye and he does the same, as I disappear in the aisle I dropped my things in. It’s gone. I knew it, it was probably that annoying guy, and he had the decency to steal my precious belongings? How dare h-“I was looking for you, you left it an-” I was startled and saw I was right, “You’re not supposed to grab things that aren’t yours” I snatched the handle and looked into his deep green eyes, he’s glaring at me, trying to burn holes in my skin and I’m probably doing the same, but it seems distracting and confusing. I wonder what goes on in his head, “Okay? I was only trying to help, but you’re too much of a stuck up-” I snap out of my daze and Interupt his foul language with a huff, quickly stomping angrily toward the exit without hearing another word.