Siobhan

Alley

It was there that I met her. Now, don't think down upon me. Something inside my heart could not throw away the feelings. I knew something was off about me from the second I could speak. I never let my parents know. But somehow she could sense it too. Her name was Siobhan, she said, "God is Gracious" through her thick Irish accent with exaggerated hand movements.

But that's not the beginning. Let me explain from the start.

Once, at night, I was strolling through the dimly lit street. I decided, against my mind, that I was going to cut through a familiar alleyway to get back home. I was walking through the mushy, reeking, alley when a door 500ft ahead of me flung open, hitting the concrete wall behind it. Out came three men, dressed a way I had never seen. They stumbled past me with an odor I recognized fairly. I tried to pass the door when a soft, gentle hand grabbed mine and swung me inside. I spun to see who grabbed me and realized it was a young girl. Somewhat my age, blonde, slender, and soft. She pulled me through the crowds of humans, swaying together, drinking, and such. She took me to a room upstairs. As she locked the door behind her I tried to yell but nothing seemed to escape. 

"You shan't be walkin around like that at night, my dear." 

I stared at her in awe, for we don't have many true Irish around Los Angeles much. In the United States we were called the Mexican Capital. The most Irish and Englishman lived in the east.

"I, uh, I was going home." I explained.

"Let me take you."

She pulled out a set of keys from the pocket of her long black slacks. I couldn't seem to avert my eyes from hers. 

"How old are you sweetie?" She approached and sat on the bed next to me, looking down at the duvet. 

"Nineteen." 

She looked up at me with a blank face. I couldn't read what she was thinking, which I'm inadvertently good at reading people. I could smell her sweet lip balm even with the distance between us. It was too much for me at that moment. She suddenly stood and spun to look at me.

"Well. I'm glad I caught ya then. Let me take ya home."

"Wait, how old are you? How do I know I can trust you?"

"I'm 22. I was sent here for you."

Sent for me? From where? By who? My parents? That couldn't be. Plus, how would she know where I was going to be at that exact moment? I had so many questions before I noticed something twinging in her eyes. As they change, something flashes by in my head. Suddenly, I don't believe anyone I knew sent her. It was someone, something, else. Something I can't comprehend in this moment.

As the jazz played below our feet, vibrating the floorboards, we gazed at each other until she walked to the dresser and mirror across the room. There was an ashtray and cigarettes along with ornaments to decorate the room. She picked up a butt, lit it, and filled the room. I chewed on my bottom lip, contemplating what I should do.

"Okay. Take me home." I spat out. Why? Why am I doing this?

I stand, as Siobhan smirks knowingly. She spun the keys around her finger, that goes to who knows what. She may have one of the newest fanciest cars, with the way she looks. Her face was splattered with freckles, thin nose, beautiful eyes. She's every guys dream. But why is she here? For me?

She grabs my arm and drags me out. Faster than I could've ever imagined a person could move. We serpentined through the crowd, the music, the smoke. To the damp cold outside air.

"Uh, what do those keys go to if its not an automobile?" I inquire, not seeing any form of transportation.

"They're for my auto." She lulls out.

We turn a corner down the street to a low-riding, slick, black and silver, uh I'm not sure what it is to be honest. I've never seen a automobile like this in my life.

She opens a makeshift door for me. The interior is just as extravagant as the outer shell. The tawny seats, dashboard and lining made the whole vehicle pop. The inside smelled like the beach. I don't know how she did it. I stared at her until she motioned for me to get in. I eased into the automobile, relaxing into the comfortable seat. There was buttons all over the drivers side, along with a stick like pully.

I had a feeling this was going to be a long, but also short ride all in one.