First Impressions

Krista: WTF Chapter 26.5

A/N: This is actually chapter 1.5 of WTF. I just didn't want people who hadn't read through chapter 26 to read it or it would pretty much ruin chapters 2-26 of WTF. Enjoy!

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"You know, I really do like what you've done with the acrylics in the foregr-"

"Say my name," I instructed Mr. Phillips, an art critic who I was talking to about one of the many paintings I'd done of the ocean.

"Excuse me, Ms. Parks?" he asked, surprised.

"Say my name," I repeated. "Just my first name is fine. Announce it to the world."

"Why?" he asked.

I looked past him. Elisabeth was looking at the clock just inside the building, her eyes cast only slightly above my head. "Just do it, Gregory," I pleaded, turning around.

He cleared his throat. "Krista!" he exclaimed as another man walked in the door. A few of the many other people in the lobby cast a few glances our way before returning to their own conversations. "Was that alright?" Mr. Phillips asked as Elisabeth darted just out of view of the window, alarmed.

"That was great," I assured him, peeking out the window. Elisabeth had vanished. "Thank you so much. Listen, I actually need to jet, but here, um... take it," I said, thrusting the painting into his arms. "It's yours. Think of it as a gift from your biggest fan!" I exclaimed, already going over to the elevator that would take me to my room.

"Ms. Parks. If you want to be taken seriously here, you have to-"

"Sorry!" I apologized as the elevator doors slid shut. I had to get to my room and get my purse so I could go catch up with Elisabeth. She definitely hadn't had the response I expected when Mr. Phillips called my name. It wasn't like her to hide from her absolute favorite- newly engaged- person.

I ran down the stairs once I'd picked up my purse, in too big of a hurry to wait for the elevator. "Elisabeth!" I called, running to catch up with her on the sidewalk.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I'm who you're looking for," the girl whose arm I grabbed said. Definitely not Elisabeth.

"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry doll!" I grinned. At least I was getting a chance to practice my Southern.

"Doll?"

"Gotta go!"

I finally spotted Elisabeth about fifteen minutes later, looking at the train schedule posted outside it. I made a move to go to her, but then stopped. What was she doing? She was alone in a city with a massive bag, and... was that a train ticket in her hand?

I crept closer, taking a pair of sunglasses off the top of someone's bag as they passed in an attempt to disguise myself. Then I felt bad, and chased them down to discreetly deposit a 10 dollar bill in the place of the glasses. By the time I'd made it back to the station, Elisabeth had gone inside. I found her again a few minutes later, seated on a bench.

A woman standing next to me was also wearing sunglasses and also staring at Elisabeth. "Bug off," I whispered, pushing her aside. "I've got this one covered, thank you." She sent me a disapproving look, but to her credit moved a few feet away.

Less than a minute later, Elisabeth stood up once again and walked to the terminal for a train that looked like it was headed to Dallas. Why's she going to Dallas? But what surprised me even more was where the Dallas train was going once it refueled, or whatever it was that trains had to stop for.

It was going to San Francisco.

I took a few steps away from the crowd and pulled my phone out of my pocket. "Lisa?" I asked.