Odd Living

Twentyfour

I wake up to my cell phone ringing. I sit up trying to find it.

"Ah, here it is." It's 5am. Who the hell could this be? "Uhhh... hello?"

"Hey Mack." I recognized the voice but I'm not awake enough to tell who it is. "What are you up to today?"

"Who is this? Do you realize it's 5am?" I yawn. This day is just getting more ridiculous.

"Not where I'm from." From? What? "Meet me at the corner of 5th and Broadway in four hours. I have a surprise. Don't tell anyone and come alone."

"Okay. But you never answered my question, who the hell are you?" I heard the dial tone on the other side. They hung up. Lovely. I might as well meet them there.

I looked up the quickest way to get to 5th and Broadway without a car and it would take me 2 hours and 25 minutes, if I didn't have a cast on.

I got up and fixed myself two Eggos in the toaster. I ate them in peace because everyone was still asleep. I still have another hour and a half before I need to leave. I figured I might as well spend a hour and fifteen minutes of that time with Ian. So I creep into his room and laid down with him.

I wake up an hour later checking my phone. Cool. A half an hour until I need to leave. I could stop for coffee especially because it's 6am.

I put on a floral skirt and a black v-neck. I grab a light jacket and put on
my shoe. Before I leave, I grab my wallet, kiss Ian on the forehead, leave Ian a note, and wake Mikaela up to tell her I should be back later today.

Remind me again why I am going to meet up with a stranger?

I leave the house as quiet as possible so I don't wake anyone and I begin my voyage around 6:28. I make it to the end of the block to pick up some coffee and a donut. I stood outside eating my donut, admiring the brisk New York morning. Following a deep breath, I continued my adventure.

I am currently on Broadway and I can see the 5th avenue sign. I check my phone's clock for the millionth time. 8:55am right on time. I'm quite curious to who this person is or how they got my number. I'll find out soon enough though.

I get to the park and sit on the closest bench. I left my crutches at home. This walk was a real hassle for me, but exercise is good I guess.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around to see who was poking at me. BRANDON!?

"It was you that called wasn't it? Where you're from, Perth. Oh. That would make it 5pm." All Brandon does is nod his head. He didn't even say hello.

"You made me walk all this way just to meet with you? You couldn't have picked a closer spot? Like, I don't know, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden? Do you have anything to say?" I would like some answers, pronto.

I'm getting slightly annoyed. I am operating on four hours of sleep and I walked two and a half hours just to meet with the man I hate.

"I do actually. If you would just sit down, I would tell you." He seems too calm. Something is off. I sit regardless.

"Mackenzie, this is the first time I have got you truly alone since you moved here. I know you don't want to hear this but here goes nothing." He reaches for my hand with the Cocoa Puffs ring on it, but I pull away.

"Anyway, I never stopped loving you. It was an honest to God mistake for me kicking you out. You're nothing even remotely close to boring. You're the most interesting, beautiful, and smart girl I have ever, and will ever meet. If you would just please give me a second chance. I'll make it right this time. I promise" he manages to say with four breaths.

I have nothing to say. I just sit on the bench with my eyes looking at the ring Ian gave me.

"But... you do realize that... you seriously broke me, right? This isn't some sort of joke? Brandon..." I turned my body to face his, "I need to know you mean this. I need to know that you really do care..."

Of course I don't mean this garbage. He is a fucking stalker that came all the way to New York just to try to get me back. Only people who have hit rock bottom do this. I'm glad I moved here. I met Ian and got away from all the trash back in Australia.

"Babe, I really do mean it. If I get on my knees, would you take me back?" He gives me the puppy eyes.

He is actually getting on his knees. People around us are staring, fuck. I don't think before I do anything, so me not thinking, kicks Brandon in the crotch with my cast and attempts to run. I trip over a fucking stick and land in my right side.

I can see Brandon getting up and pulling something out of his pocket. Next thing I know his hand of over my mouth and I can't see a thing.