Intertwined

01

12th January 2019, NYC 01:12 AM..

For the city that never sleeps, New York sure was quiet. Besides the crunch of the frost beneath my boots and my heavy breathing, nothing was to be heard. I picked up my pace a little, not wanting to be out in the cold any longer then I already was.

Dammit, Erin! You should of worn a thicker, fluffier jacket. Maybe then you wouldn't be freezing your butt off in the middle of New York. You should of also charged your phone before you went out. Then you could of called yourself a cab and you wouldn't be here! Oh well.. No use telling yourself this now.

As I turned down another alley, I felt something wet land on my nose. I looked up at the night sky dotted with white stars and snow?

Snow! Of course it wouldn't snow all December and the minute I decided to leave the comforts of my home it starts. Fucking brilliant!

"Just my luck." I muttered.

I must of been walking with my eyes closed because as soon as I took a few steps, I heard a distorted grunt and the sound of papers hitting the cobble ground.

My eyes widened as I looked down. " I am so sorry!" I extended my arm to help the stranger up. He took it and gave me a weak smile. "Not your fault, I wasn't looking where I was going."

The stranger drew himself to full height, around 5'11 I'm guessing, and looked down at me. "What are you doing wondering New York at this time?" He asked, thoughtfully tapping his chin.

I felt my lips purse into a smile, "I could ask you the same thing."

"Touche." He grinned at me. "Well, if you must know.." He extended the must dramatically. "I'm on my way to the library."

"I don't know any library that's open at this time?"

The stranger laughed and ran his fingers through his hair, "It's New York, shorty. I'm sure I'll find somewhere."

I bit my lip, trying to refrain from laughing at the cute nickname he'd given me.

"Well good luck.." I trailed off as I tried to think of a nickname for him. I couldn't see him very well but the dim street light highlighted his dirty blond hair. "Good luck, blondy."

"Nickname basis already?" He chuckled.

"It would appear so." I giggled back.

"Well, I should be heading off now." He said, glancing at his watch. "But I'm sure I'll be seeing you around, shorty."

"Do you think? In this big city?" I questioned.

"I'm almost positive of it." He winked and turned to walk out of the alley.

I noticed he left a piece of paper and bent down to pick it up. "Hey, you left this!" I called after him.

"What does it say?"

"It's a page out of Romeo and Juliet." I skimmed the paper, I was familiar with the novel.

"Keep it.. It'll remind you of the stranger who fell at your feet." He paused. "Literally."

I could feel my cheeks go crimson and my lips go into a huge smile.

I hugged the page and whispered to myself, "I will."

17th March 2019, NYC 10:43 AM, Present time..

"Are you ready, Erin?" Amanda poked her head around the door frame. I looked up from my packing and gave her a smile. "I've been ready for so long!"

"You might just be the very first person who's excited to get out of here." Manda chuckled as she came into my room.

"Well.." I said, sitting on my suitcase, forcing it to shut. "I'm not really leaving New York. Just moving to the other side."

"Far enough, Rin.." Amanda said then  raised an eyebrow at the suitcase. "There's no way you'll shut that."

"Of course I will!" I huffed. "It's just not co-operating this morning."

"Whatever you say, Erin. Whatever you say." Amanda giggled whilst swinging her legs over my bed.

"Are you going to miss me?" I asked whilst practically rolling on my case, desperate for it to shut.

"What kind of question is that?" She scowled.

"A yes or no question?"

Amanda sighed, "Of course I'm going to miss you Erin. You're my best friend and I don't know how the hell I'm going to get through high school without you!"

"Well.. for one, your social status will go up." I smiled.

"Don't. Don't even finish that sentence." Amanda said sharply as she got up. "Don't even think about it!"

"What?" I mumbled. "It's true, isn't it?"

"No. It's not." Amanda sat down next to me. "There's a difference between their gossip and your story. You know what really happened that night, Erin."

"Do I? Maybe they're right, maybe I was making up-" I began.

"Erin, stop. You and I both know there were multiple witnesses that night."

I sighed and put my head in my lap.

"I'm always on your side, Rin." Amanda wrapped her arms around me.

"I don't deserve you, Amanda." I said through sniffles.

"Don't be ridiculous." Amanda chuckled softly . "I don't know what I'd do without you, Erin. Don't doubt yourself or what happened that night like that ever again, okay?"

I wiped my nose, "Okay.."

"Have we got enough time for a coffee before we part ways?"

"We always have time for coffee, Mands." I smiled and paused for a second. "I'll always have time for you."

And that was a promise I'd take to the grave.

-

End of chapter, 19/11/19.