It's strange how you have so much to say to someone, yet not knowing what. It's like you want to say anything to them but you can't form the words to speak. That's how I felt right now.
"Where to ma'am?" He asks me once I've settled down into the back seat of his taxi.
I didn't want to go home so I told him to just drive as he started the engine in his car. We sat in complete silence, the only sound of the engine rumbling filling the air. Until the silence was broken by the driver himself.
"You know," He began, "you can't sit here forever."
I thought about it and let out a small hum of agreement in my drowsy state and slowly let sleep take over me.
~~~
The taxi jerking to a halt made my head hit the window and my eyes shoot open. Someone opens my side of the car door and I fall out, splaying out my hands on the ground. I hear a low chuckle and look up with a glare fixed on my face at my tormentor. He holds out a hand to help me up and I gladly take it.
"Where are we?" My voice was hoarse and barely audible as I looked around at my surroundings until my gaze landed on a small diner with a glowing neon sign signaling it's open.
"What are we doing here?" As soon as I asked the question a little louder than before, I noticed the stranger had already had walked ahead entering the restaurant. Not wanting to be outside any longer, I decided to follow him inside. A gust of warm air brushed past me as I pushed open the door. Though I didn't mind the warmth, the fluorescent lights hanging above on the walls were blinding.
Once my eyes adjusted to the light, I tried to find the taxi-driver. The task was relatively easy considering the small number of customers present this late. He was by the counter talking to one of the waiters. As soon as he caught my eye, he motioned for me to sit at one of the booths. I hesitated at first but then complied since I felt a little queasy anyways.
"Here, drink this." A glass of clear liquid was placed in front of me. I looked up at the taxi driver sliding into the chair across from mine. He let out a small chuckle once he saw the untouched glass in front of me. "You can drink it, you know? It's just water."
I hesitated at first, but then took a tentative sip. It didn't taste spiked and I knew if he was smart enough to drug me, it wouldn't be in a public place amongst people. I squirmed under his gaze a little when I found him looking at me as if he was trying to figure out if I was really human. I cleared my throat.
"What's your name?" I ask curiously, breaking the silence. He turns towards me and that's when I fully look at his facial features. He had dirty blond hair that fell over his pale tanned face and covered his gleaming green eyes. His nose was crooked from the middle as if he had broken it before and a little stubble laced his face. My gaze traveled down to his full lips.
"Nick"
Startled by his voice, I look back up. I noticed he had inched closer and I gave no hint to move back. His cologne filled my senses, while his minty breath was hitting my parted lips.
"Nick." I repeated, liking the way his name rolled off my tongue. I inched back and he broke out of his trance, shaking his head. "I'm Ashley." I informed him, to which he smiled and shook his head. I gave him a confused expression wondering what the hell was so funny about it, and he noticed. "You already told me."
I nodded, not knowing what to say next.
"What were you doing alone on the streets at night anyway?" He asked curiously. "It's dangerous." I snort, laughing out loud because I was thinking the same thing when I walked out of the bar. The only reason I was there in the bar in the first place was because I caught my boyfriend cheating with a guy. The only reason he was dating me was to hide his sexuality. I wasn't mad at him, just disappointed. Disappointed in myself that I couldn't figure out the clues. That we had been dating for two years since I got out of college at 24, and we hadn't done anything but shared kisses.
"I just broke up with my boyfriend and got drunk. I tried to hail a cab, but none of them stopped" I answered his question.
Nick nodded in reply and cracked his knuckles unconsciously. The tiny action led my gaze to them. I noticed faint burn scars on each of his fingers. They looked faded so they must have appeared when he was younger.
Nick shook his head after a while, coming out of whatever trance he was in and looked at my empty glass before opening his mouth to speak. "Are you ready to go?"
I shook my head. I didn't want to go home just yet. I knew if I went, I would just be welcomed to eerie silence and loneliness. Since my boyfriend moved out, it would just be a reminder of the pain he caused.
Nick nodded as if he could tell what I was thinking. He tried to strike up a conversation about how this was his favorite diner yet the decoration was, for the lack of better word, shit. Soon, he saw me yawn and offered to take me home. I agreed since I was too tired to argue. I told him my address and on the drive, I fell asleep. I didn't want to leave him and wished I could've asked something I could contact him from, to reassure myself that last night wasn't a dream. Instead, when I woke up the next morning in my bed, I found a note on my nightstand.
Thank you for last night! Nick x
A smile formed on my face.
***
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