New York State of Mind | zm au

Trains

Click. Click. Click. The train's wheels race across the tracks. The city blurs around me, skyscrapers bleeding into the sky. The clouds hover around, still deciding on weather or not to let the first snow fall down.

The wheels scrape the rails while they slow down into the empty station, sounding like someone dragging their nails across a chalkboard. I flinch but don't reject the noise. It's part of the city.

I step off the train with my one suitcase and guitar case. The train drags itself out of the station and I'm left alone. The scent of city streets and opportunity wisp through the air and up my nose.

Skyscrapers tower up around me. The light dusting of snow swirls on the ground and around my boots. People mill around--all on a different path. Some perhaps, are Christmas shopping. I, however, am just walking. Admiring the city decorations. But then I remember how I'm not 'just walking.' I have something to do.

I walk down endless avenues and streets, each one with its own style and people strutting down the sidewalk. Important and familiar numbers and names jump out at me. I remember why I'm here.

The heat hits me before the smell. Lavender and something sweet. I close my eyes and breathe in and out. In and out.

"Can I help you, miss?" Words cloud my mind as I struggle to put together a sentence. It's all a bit overwhelming, but I know why I'm here.

"I need a key for my apartment, I'm just moving in." My tongue forms the words effortlessly, it seems. I push the veil of dark hair out of my eyes to sign some papers. Each signature I give lands me one second closer. Every new page crinkles under my delicate touch.

"Thank you, I'll have someone show you up there. Please, keep the noise down." The kind-hearted woman eyes my guitar case warily while offering an awkward smile.

I nod, the movement a promise. A promise I probably won't keep. But those are the best kind.

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