3:
You made it through various hallways, and down an elevator before you reached the train station for your terminal. You unloaded your cart beside the train platform and patiently waited for your ride to arrive. There were signs placed all around reminding passengers to “Mind the Gap” as to not fall onto the tracks as they step onto the train. The London Underground logo –-a red circle, with a horizontal blue line—covered walls and maps all around the station and also signified which station you were at. According to the map pamphlet Maika had picked up, you two are going to have to take a Piccadilly line train to change stations at Earl’s Court.
The train shot by as it eventually slowed to a complete stop. You patiently waited as dozens of people emptied from the trains, hauling their suitcases onto the platform, and trying to move out of the way as quickly as possible. As soon as the doorway was clear, you and Maika rushed to shove all of your bags into the train cabin and enter behind before the doors closed. It was pretty empty, because most of the passengers got off at the airport, but there were still several people in the seats on either side of the train, or holding onto the railings in the walkway.
After several stops at different stations the train announcement blared again:
+This is a Piccadilly line train towards Cockfosters. The next station is Earl’s Court. Change here for the Piccadilly Line and District Line services to other destinations. Alight here for Earl's Court Exhibition Centres.+
“This is our stop.” Maika said, reminding you. As the doors open you both exited with your bags and rolled them through the Earl’s Cross station. You found your way to the platform for the District Line train so you could take it to the street of your flat.
“How do you know where we’re even supposed to go? Isn’t all this train stuff confusing you? It’s confusing me.” You told Maika.
“I came here with my family years ago for Thanksgiving break, remember? I still sorta remember all this from riding it then.” She smiled, remembering the amazing vacation that she had spent all those years ago. “I’ve definitely missed it.” She added with a smile.
Just as she finished speaking you could hear the train coming from the left tunnel to stop at your station. The train slowed and everybody entered as the doors opened. You got on first, without a problem. Maika, however struggled to get the last suitcase into the train. As you were about to get up and help, a rather attractive man with short brown hair with a beard and mustache helped her lift the bag into the cabin.
MAIKA’S POV (1st Person):
Shit. I can’t get this bag into the train. My mind began to repeat. HURRY UP BEFORE THE DOORS CLOSE. I saw a hand reach out of the train beside me and lift the bag into the train right before the doors closed. I followed the hand, up the arm, and to the beautiful face of the man who helped me. He was wearing a red-orange flannel and a red beanie. His russet brown eyes brought warmth to me and his smile filled me with butterflies.
“Oh, uh.. Th-Thanks.” I stuttered out, still mesmerized by the man’s perfectly groomed facial hair and beautiful smile.
“No problem. It seemed like you needed help, so.. I helped.” He ended with a smile. “I’m Kyle. Kyle Simmons. You sound like you’re from the US. Visiting?” He rattled out, his voice filled with energy and softened by his british accent.
“California. Me and my friend Kiera moved here and we’re trying to get to our flat. We just got here from Heathrow.” I told him, motioning to Kiera, who was sitting in one of the seats, her arms keeping the bags anchored into place. She was staring at the man sitting across from her. I returned my gaze to Kyle. “These bags are a pain in the ass.” I concluded, with a tired smile.
“California’s nice. I went there once last year.” He said, a flirty smile plastered on him. “Dan went too.” He said as he pointed to the man sitting opposite Kiera. The man named Dan had dark hair that stood up in a feathery quiff, and bright blue eyes that looked like electricity. He had some stubble and turtle shell glasses that looked like Ray-Bans. He had on a tee-shirt that said To Kill A King on it and a gray hoodie over it. You could see him looking at Kiera. “Uh, would you like to sit? I’ll help you with your bags if you’d like.” Kyle suggested every sentence punctuated with a slight smile and friendly glint in his eyes.
“Oh! Yeah, sure. Thank you very much.” I said, making my way to my seat as Kyle helped move my bags with me. I sat next to Kiera and we made eye contact. She gave me a look that said, Dude these guys are so beautiful. What is even happening. We gotta get to know them. I chuckled very quietly to her and turned my attention back to Kyle as he sat across from me, beside Dan.
KIERA’S POV:
Oh good. She got the bag up. Wow… who’s that guy helping her? He’s heavenly. Oh. Here’s his friend. OH NO. He’s sitting across from me. Oh geeze, he’s hot too. Be cool Kiera, try and make eye contact.
I looked up at the angelic figure sitting across from me. His eyes were captivating, and they were like a crystal blue ocean that I felt I could drown in. His hair looked so soft that I wanted to touch it and run my fingers through it. His extremely long legs were covered in black jeans and he had white converse on his feet.
I directed my gaze back up to his eyes, and saw that he was looking at me. My heart jumped and I looked away, embarrassed. How could I not look at him? I tried to focus on something else, when the man who helped Maika with the suitcase helped her bring the bags over and sat down. He sat next to the angelic, blue-eyed wonder, and Maika sat across from him, right beside me.
She turned her head and gave me a look of disbelief, which I—of course—shared. This is going to be an eventful train ride. I smiled to myself.
