Off Track

Part 3: Keeley

"Where are you?" Zach asked, suddenly sounding suspicious. "I thought you said you had a school project."

"About that...I might have been lying. I'm at the station right now. About to hop on the train."

"Lying? You? I don't know whether to yell or clap."

I was the good twin. My brother on the other hand snuck out of the house and got into trouble all the time. "Laugh it up. I know how to be bad."

"Yeah, right," he scoffed. "I'm going to hold this over you till the end of time. Now you'll know what it feels like to be blackmailed."

"I've never blackmailed you," I said.

"What about all those times you've picked me up from parties? Every time you wanted something you threatened to tell Mom and Dad."

"I consider that payment for waking me up from my beauty sleep," I shot back.

"Like you weren't already awake talking on the phone with Talon. I swear you too never stop shut up." His comment was an arrow through the heart. Moments later, he added, "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that considering everything."

"It's okay," I said softly. "It's the truth."

"It'll be okay. You'll see."

I hoped so. I couldn't imagine not having Talon in my life. He was one of those people that just got me. I could be myself around him. Didn't need to worry about how I looked or what I said. He accepted me for me. Flaws and all.

"Do you need me to pick you up from the station?" asked Zach.

"Yeah, that'd be great actually." I had walked from my house to the station, which was a good half hour away. My feet were already blistering from the high heels. Luckily, I had stuck a pair of flip-flops in my purse. As soon as I boarded the train I planned to kick off the heels and don my sandals.

"Text me when you're close by," said Zach. We said goodbye and I stuck my phone back in my purse.

The train pulled into the station and people started jockeying for a position near the doors. I shuffled along with the crowd trying to keep my toes from getting squashed. Ahead of me was the older gentleman who had given me directions. In all the chaos, he didn't notice the white piece of paper that fell out of his back pocket and onto the ground.

I hurried to pick it up before the letter got trampled. It appeared like some type of document. One of those important ones you were sent in the mail that was folded in thirds. It looked worn. The edges crinkled like someone had opened and closed it over and over again.

I rushed after the man, but when I stepped on the train, he wasn't anywhere to be found. I was about to go look for him when someone bumped into me. It was the scary guy in all black. He was blocking the entryway to the other train car.

"Um..." I suddenly felt nervous. Giving him a weak smile I motioned to the car behind him.

He raised an eyebrow, then leaned against the doorway, not letting me pass. What was with him? Did he enjoy being an asshole for the sake of it? I wanted to say something, but thought better of it when an icy draft of air hit my face. I glanced up, searching for an air conditioning vent, but there was nothing. Maybe I needed to get my head examined.

I turned around and sat in the first available spot, which also happened to be across the aisle from the guy with headphones. His eyes were closed and his arms folded as he leaned back in his seat.

As the train rolled out of the station, I put the letter and my purse on the seat next to me. I'd search for the older man in a little bit. As soon as the scary guy moved out of the way. In the meantime, I kicked off my high heels and pulled my sandals and a book from my bag. It was a new romance from my favorite author. I settled into my chair and began to read.