Finding Destiny

Chapter 4 - Train Ride Encounters

Parker's P.O.V

"Dude, you're staring again." My friend, Grayson nudged me as I snapped out of my trance.
"Wh-what?" I turned around to face him.
"You're staring at her." He smirked.
And he was right. I had been staring at Amber to occupy myself as I patiently waited for the train conductor to allow us and our luggage onboard.
But, I didn't want to be a creeper about it so, maybe my eyes needed to wander elsewhere.
"Sorry, I didn't even realize it," I muttered, adjusting the strap on my backpack.
"Dude, you should just go talk to her." Grayson prodded further.
I shifted slightly. "I donno. She seems pretty occupied with Joy right now. Maybe later."
Honestly, I was just planning on blowing it off and not even making an effort at any point in time, but, I had to say something to get him off my back about it. He was one of those...persistent type companions.
"Fine," Grayson shrugged, with a subtle glint in his eye. I was suspicious of his tone but soon dismissed it as we were gestured to climb aboard the train with our light amount of luggage.
Or at least some of us packed lightly. A two-day trip shouldn't require much packing but, I was surprised at how much some of the girls had packed.
After a few seconds of walking down the aisle and scanning the seats,  we finally found a row of seats towards the back of the train and claimed it as our own.   I put my suitcase on the shelf above our heads and sat down as they slowly let a couple of people onboard after us to avoid a congested aisleway and arguments over seating. Grayson excused himself to the bathroom and while he was gone, I watched each student with curiosity. I hadn't seen all of them before. After all, my high school was a large one and I was more kept to myself than anything.
Then, I saw Joy, toting her bags down the aisle.
She smiled at me and I half waved. "That's a lot of luggage." I teased. "What all do you women pack that makes you have so many bags?"
She giggled. "I donno. Just necessities..."
"Like?" I raised my eyebrows.
She grinned. "Girl things you wouldn't understand."
She stopped and looked at the empty seat next to me.
I saw a small smirk tug at the edge of her lips. "Is...anyone sitting there?" She inquired slowly, as she set her bags in the row of seats across from mine.
I glanced at the door of the train and saw her walk in.
Suddenly, I knew what Joy had in mind and didn't feel so confident about it.
"Um...y-yeah. Grayson was going to sit here."
Amber got closer.
"You sure he wouldn't mind sitting somewhere else?" Joy prodded.
"I-"
It was too late.
Amber was walking right by where I was sitting and then everything went in slow motion.
Joy shoved Amber right as she reached my seat, she lost her balance, and a second later, the girl was sitting in my lap, stunned.
She was in shock for a moment - paralyzed even. Then, her delayed gasp escaped her lips and her eyes locked with mine. I realized my arm was wrapped around her waist, probably in attempts to catch her fall, but only to realize how uncomfortably awkward this must be. In realizing this, I quickly removed my hands.
I suppose she regained her senses and jolted up, blushing brighter than anything. Once she was on her feet, she looked at me with embarrassment and apology written all over her face. 
"I am so sorry. I-I-"
"No, it's fine," I interrupted, to spare her the uncomfortabiliy. "Are you alright?"
"Y-yes. Are you?"
"Of course," I replied watching as she bit her lip and ran her fingers through her hair. She looked on the verge of tears. "Are you sure you're okay?"
She seemed to pan the room briefly and seemed to be surprised nobody else had noticed what had just happened...but also quite relieved.
She riveted her attention back to me, forced a smile and sighed. "Yeah. I'm just...really sorry. I must've tripped.... I'm just so embarrassed."
"Please, don't be. I saw how it happened. I know you didn't mean to." I assured her.
I glanced over at Joy. She pretended she wasn't looking at us, but I knew she was. By this time, Grayson had come back and taken his seat next to her. They were happily chatting away but, I could tell they were partially using that to cover up their observation of us.
Amber still looked extremely apologetic and awkwardly standing in the aisleway, at a loss of what to do or say. So, I made a move I might regret later. I mustered the courage to ask her the question I was too scared to ask in Starbucks the other day.
"Amber, there aren't any more seats except ones in the back and you'd be sitting alone if you sat back there. Do you wanna just sit with me?"
She seemed almost like she couldn't believe I was asking her that. I'm not sure if it was because she was weirded out or if it was something else. But nevertheless, she slowly nodded. "I mean, sure. Thanks, Parker. That's really sweet of you." She gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and took a seat next to me.
It was weird at first. I'd never been this close to her before. I mean, excluding her just falling into my lap. But, this was voluntary rather than accidental.
She'd rather sit with me than sit alone. I thought excitedly.
Unless, of course, she was just trying not to be rude, but either way.... I realized early on, I was over thinking the situation. But nevertheless, I was fully content with these arrangements. We had a long train ride ahead and, I was hoping to get to know her a little better by the time the trip ended.

And based on the sudden exclamations from the train conductor, we were about to be off.

Here we go!

Hey guys!! Thanks so much for reading and sorry for the crappy grammar. I'm trying to be as good as possible but not spend too much time on editing.Also stay tuned!! It wouldn't be a Kiah book if it didn't have some dark twist to the story later on ;) the action is coming. Just be patienttt.