Petty Happenings

I. (one)

Bradford Interchange to London King's Cross. Departure at 10:45 Saturday morning. Don't be late. You can't be late.

A young woman of early twenties made her way through the mass of people trying to get on or off the train. It was one of her first trips via this mode of transportation, thus the slight headache throbbing in her right temple. Confusion was enough to cause anyone like her pain.

Utterly self-conscious and odd around so many people, she tugged at the bottom of her navy dress and the halfway-sleeves. She felt uncomfortable wearing dresses in public, but she had worn all her other clothes.

Hopefully the bookstore hasn't been busy. This trip to meet Randie was fun while it lasted, but work might be hell first shift.

The young woman had been visiting an old family friend for the week in Bradford. She had been encouraged by her numerous, lovely aunts to spend some bonding time with who used to be the equivalent of her mother during primary school. Overall, it had been a long, nostalgic week.

Startled, she almost dropped her bag when shoved harshly through the train doors. Quickly recollecting her balance, she sped walk towards where she thought her seat could be--she couldn't be certain. For once, however, she was thankful when she saw another girl her age sitting in the third seat next to the window.

"Hi, uhm, is this the right spot?" the young woman asked timidly, showing the other her ticket.

The girl turned her head to read the fine print and nodded with an easy smile. "Yup, the aisle seat. You can set your bag in the seat between us if you'd like. I'm Novaleen."

The young woman mumbled an obligatory "thanks" and sat down, careful to make sure her dress sat correctly, smoothing out the wrinkles and picking at random pieces of lint on her leggings. She didn't feel the need to tell the other girl her name because it was doubtful she'd remember it, anyway. It was a fairly common name, unlike Novaleen's; not nearly as unique.

Settled down in her seat, the young woman took out her cell phone and earbuds, awaiting the moment the train starts so that she can drown out the piercing conversations spinning inside her eardrums and calm her racing heart. She just needs to take a few deep breathes and grow accustomed to her peer, then she'll be fine.

"Ah, shit, 'scuse me. Excuse me, miss!" she heard a distinct, impatient voice speak from the aisle somewhere in front of her. The young woman looked up almost frantically, finding the voice's owner.

It was a fairly attractive man, possibly a few years older than herself. He had short, dark, spiky hair and similar dark eyes. His clothing was black--black shoes, black pants, black leather jacket. The object that had the young woman's mouth twitching into a surprising smile was a red plaid scarf. She was used to odd fashion items in London, but this man made it seem so... casual and out-of-the-usual at the same time. It wasn't something she'd think to picture on a guy like him.

"Fricking idiots. I hate taking the train. For over three hours!" he mumbled to himself, taking the window seat across from the girl, Novaleen.

The young woman glanced over at Novaleen and felt a smirk cross her own face. Novaleen was watching the man very closely, with what looked like fond interest radiating from her eyes. The man dropped into his seat, slouching down.

"Yeah. I'm not so good with long rides myself," Novaleen replied, despite the man clearly not speaking directly to any of the two girls.

The man glanced over at Novaleena, nodding in acknowledment. He slowly tore his fascinated gaze from her and looked at the other young woman. He lifted his head up in a sort of hello--she panicked and didn't return the move--and then turned completely to watch out the window. The young woman noticed a heart drawn close to the left side. Novaleen must have drawn it before the young woman sat down. The man seemed to notice it, too, as his face transformed into that of amusement. All Novaleen was noticing was the man.

Then, with a slight shutter and a jolt, the train started its journey out of Bradford.

...      ...      ...

So I deleted my other stories. "Not that important." This should be good. Shorter chapters, plentiful updates. S'gon be good. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Vote/Comment/Whatever. It's all appreciated c:

-lexie x