Unexpected

Chapter 4

           I stumbled through the turnstile of the crowded train station, feeling very out of place. All around me were people in ratty clothes, with dirty faces and hair. I did my absolute best to avoid touching anyone at all costs.

                A woman, with split ends worth crying about, walked almost straight into me. Her knock-off Gucci bag made me gag.

               I decided the best way to get through this was to focus on nothing but the ground and my heels against its surface.  As I twisted and turned my way through the sea of people, wretched squeals escaping my lips. With every shove in my direction

               This. Is. So. Disgusting!

               Remind me to call Daddy later and thank him for never bringing me here.

               My red stiletto heels, which perfectly matched my dress, clicked loudly against the tile, turning many heads in my direction. And for the first time ever, I didn’t welcome the attention. In fact, the fear of being jumped spiked higher than ever before.

               The grip I had on my bags tightened as I slung all three over my shoulder, ignoring the immediate protest of my pained shoulder, and quickened the pace.

             Then suddenly, big, rough hands reached out of the crowd, grasping at my waist,  “Hey baby, wanna go find somewhere private and get dirty?” a scratchy male voice slurred into my ear.

               “Ew!” I shrieked, prying the man’s meat hooks off me and taking off through the train station, trying to ignore the disgusting people hitting me every time they walked by.

               To my great delight, just as I reached the crowded platform labeled 2, the number 2 train noisily pulled up, the tires screaming against the tracks. I covered my ears, but bravely took them off when nobody else covered their own. Looking down at the ticket in my hand, I saw the number 2 written in bold.

               Why didn’t I just take a plane?

               I thought back to my conversation with Melissa before I came here.

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               “Okay, hand me my computer, I need to buy a plane ticket” I claimed, holding out my hand waiting for her to hand it back..

               “What are you, crazy?” she asked, aghast, protectively holding my MacBook behind her, almost like a hostage.

               “What are you talking about? Give me my computer!” I demanded. Melissa clenched her teeth and shut the Mac. She shook her head with a small grin and looked down at the floor, like what she was thinking was just SO obvious that I should know.

               “Everything you charge on your credit card shows up on Daddy’s account, right?” she asked.

                 I slowly nodded.

                “Well,” she continued, “Daddy won’t be too happy if he finds out his precious little baby left Dartmouth to go chase after a boy, will he?” she asked. It was a joking question, but just what I needed for all the pieces to click.

                I tried to imagine Daddy’s reaction, when finding out I’ve dropped out of school. The thought alone would probably give him an aneurism. No, definitely give him an aneurism.