DAWN PAIGE GREY Young Adult Romance

Chapter 10 - A New Friend

Dawn stared out the window of the train, looking but not seeing anything except flashes of her life, growing up without a mother and meeting Luke, whom she thought she loved, but what was that she’d felt when Jace kissed her? The fireworks, the sirens, the bells, the racing heartbeat, all things she’d never experienced whenever Luke kissed her. She couldn’t recall feeling like that even when Luke kissed her for the very first time. While trying to put her thoughts and feelings in order the train pulled into Perth station. 

Whilst struggling with her suitcase and crutches a hulky, good looking man stepped up beside her and picked up her suitcase. 

“Let me give you a hand there young lady.” He smiled at Dawn, “Don’t know how you expect to carry your suitcase while on those extra legs.” He commented, winking at her. 

“Thanks, I guess I never really gave it much thought at the time. A friend helped me onto the train.” Dawn smiled back and couldn’t help noticing the dazzling set of pearly whites he had enhancing his smile.

“So where you headed then? Maybe I can help you onto your next destination.”

“I’m not really sure ….. I guess I didn’t ….” 

“Don’t tell me,” He laughed, “You didn’t give that much thought either.” He steered her towards a bench, “Why not have a seat till we figure out where you’re going.” 

“Thanks, umm, you’re awfully kind to a total stranger.” She smiled.

“We can soon fix that.” He stood up and gave a slight bow, tipping a make believe hat, “I am Andrew and I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance Miss ….?”

Dawn laughed and it felt really good, “Dawn, will do fine, no Miss required, and I’m really pleased to meet such a gentleman.” She winked at him, “Thank you for helping me Andrew.”

“Well, now that we’re no longer strangers, maybe you’d like to share your thoughts on where you’d like to go, so I can help you on your way.”

Dawn suddenly felt like her world had come crashing down around her, where was she going to go? She needed somewhere far away where no one would contact her so she could just sit and think for a couple of days.

“I really don’t know Andrew, I just need to go somewhere to be on my own to sit and think where my family and friends won’t find me for a while.”

“Aahhh the young lady is running away from home I fear.”

“No I’m not.” Dawn said, shaking her head.

“Seeing as you haven’t decided where you’re going, let’s get a coffee and you can tell me what sort of place you’d like to go and hopefully I can suggest somewhere for you.” He said standing up and offering to help her stand.

“Thanks that would be very helpful.” Dawn studied him for a moment before standing, “You’re not some sort of  “slave trader” who collects young girls who don’t know where they’re going and sends them off to some sheiks’ harem, are you?”

Andrew laughed so much he had to sit down again. “You do say the oddest things Dawn. Are you really running away from home or have your family run away from you and you’re now trying to find them?” He winked at her.

Dawn looked at him and almost felt as if she wanted to punch him, “humph, I told you I’m not running away.” She stated, “as a matter of fact I’m supposed to be getting married, but not really sure it’s what I want to do.”

Andrew coughed and scratched his head, “Mhmm I see …. A runaway bride, no rock on your hand I see.” He stated the obvious and Dawn immediately thought about the engagement ring neatly tucked away in her suitcase.

“Aargg … you’re so damn annoying.” Dawn poked him in the ribs and he caught her hand and began to shake it.

“Truce Dawn, I’ll stop calling you a runaway, if you stop looking at me with those sad puppy dog eyes.” 

Dawn smiled and shook his hand. 

“That’s better, now let’s go and have that coffee and decide where you’re next port of call is, or place to do your thinking.”

Dawn hobbled on her crutches following Andrew into the coffee shop.

“How do you take your coffee Dawn?”

“Black and strong please and two sugars.”

“Mhm, feisty lady.” Winking at her, Andrew went to order their coffee.

Dawn quickly checked her phone and was relieved to see no messages, so none of her family had noticed she was missing yet. Annie was going back to stay with her father, so she would not be around for any of her family to interrogate as to her absence.

“Is anyone looking for you yet?” Andrew asked while setting their coffee down on the table.

Dawn quickly switched off her phone and said, “No, no messages.”

“I was thinking, why not come and stay with me for a while. I have a lovely house on the waterfront which I use as a sort of break away from working in Perth. I’ll be there for two weeks and you are very welcome to stay as long as you like.” Andrew offered.

“I couldn’t possibly stay with you. I’m engaged, getting married soon. It wouldn’t be right. But thanks so much for the offer.”

“Dawn, you have no idea where you want to go, no plan in mind for the future. I respect that you’re engaged and due to be married. I promise you have nothing to worry about, I’m not a slave trader, in fact, I’m not into woman at all, just your friendly gay guy, looking to help a stressed out lady.”

“Really, oh gosh, I would never have known …. I never suspected ….. I mean …. Ohh I don’t know what I mean.”

“Well sweetheart, before you put your foot in your mouth, just say yes you’ll come and stay. It will be fun and you can rest that injured ankle and take all the time you need to think things through.  I’m there if you need to talk and promise to give you space if you want to be on your own.  I have full internet and Wi-Fi so you can contact your family at any time and when you’re ready to go back I’ll escort you back too.”

“If you’re sure you don’t mind having a runaway bride come and stay and burden you with her tales of woe, then I’d like to accept your gracious offer.”

They both laughed and Dawn clumsily knocked her coffee over and the black liquid spilt all over her white blouse. Andrew jumped up immediately and grabbing the paper napkins began blotting Dawn’s blouse, patting carefully over her breast where the coffee spill was heaviest. Dawn blushed, Andrew smiled.