The train rocked back and forth as Ryan’s eyes zoned in on the withered pocket protector. Her eyes formed a monotone line and her hands stayed clasped together on top of her heavy school tote which awkwardly shook in her lap. There was always a myth about those pockets protectors. She only thought socially challenged people used them but as she spread her lids wider to view the owner of the geek squad accessory, she didn’t feel so monotone anymore. Instead, her tote felt heavier, her Harlequin novel; like slippery plastic, and her hands—numb. The young man was staring at her with handsomely intent eyes.
His dark smile hovered in front her as he got out of his seat and wobbled toward her to pick up the flower that had dropped out of her hair. Her mashed-potatoe-hair was what her mother called it. Soft like clouds but portrayed in its inverted light. She didn’t know what was happening until he showed his face again, this time just a few feet away with the flower in his palm.
Did this ever happen on trains? She thought to herself as she stared. Her high cheek bones flushed red as he flashed white teeth. She didn’t say thank you as he handed her the fallen accessory. Instead she removed a headphone and smiled as well. His pocket protector was tilting her way now and spread across its folded base were blotches of ink; blue ink that resembled a fountain pen’s slip up. Ryan kept smiling. Nothing more. She just kept smiling.
“Aren’t you going to put that back in?” the pocket protecting stranger voiced.
Looking down into her hands laid the lonely white faux blossom. He was still smiling and so was she. Shoving her soft wooly mane behind her left ear with her right hand, she replaced the flower without another slight movement. He traced her hands with his eyes then went back to his awaiting seat. The rest of the train ride seemed awkward enough. It was as if he was staring past her but at her at the same time. What could it be, she questioned herself. 96th street pulled into view and she knew it was time to break the silence. At least voice her thoughts. But what would she say?
Heaving her school tote onto her right shoulder she carefully got up out of her seat and held the metal bar of the train car. Rambling thoughts went in every direction of her mind. That was very thoughtful of you? …ugh! No!. Hmmm…how about ‘I would’ve been lost without that flower’. She shook the thoughts into the back of her brain. Nice pocket protector? Then she chuckled at the sound her voice would make after expressing the short alliteration.
The train stopped with a screeching halt and she felt for the faux blossom just in case it had dropped again. Then he got up as well and exchanged his brown leather briefcase into his other hand; the right one as well.
“Thank you,” she said breathlessly without giving the words a second thought.
“I’m Keith,” he stated with an outstretched hand and a warm smile, this time not so dark. “I like your hair. Doesn’t look like you…restrain it.” Then he laughed a chuckle that she could never compare to that of a Geek Squad affiliate. It was quiet and raspy. She smiled again.
“Am I suppose to restrain it?” she asked as she grabbed his waiting hand in a firm shake. “I... I like your usedpocket protector. Never seen one this close before.” Then she smirked up at him. An insult for an insult.
“And my name is Ryan”. Time to let his hand go, she kept repeating to herself but he didn’t seem to think so. His hand as well as his eyes still held hers.
They exited the train together and parted ways. He ran up the stairs and she crossed the platform to transfer to the already-in-the-station 1 train.
Was her hair that much of an attraction? Hmmm…nah—couldn’t be, she thought. Then she reached for the forgotten her Harlequin, now tucked under her left arm, to complete the contorted story of banned heiress Gabrielle.
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