Missed Connection

As she walked outside the office the cold, sharp air hit her face. It was refreshing to walk briskly after sitting all day. The 9 to 5 crowd were streaming out steadily onto the traffic laden streets avoiding eye contact and trying to get to their trains on time. She moved along at a quick pace wanting to get home as soon as possible but not really knowing why.

4 more blocks. She starts to play a game with the other pedestrians. She sees how fast she can get around certain people in her way before she has to move out of the way for those walking on the other side. It's entertaining and keeps her shifting in and out of the crowds at a faster than reasonable pace.

She rounded the corner and sprinted down the steps to the subway, managing to just catch the train before the doors slid swiftly shut. Heaving a sigh of relief she sought out a seat. Window seats are the best. These seats offer a sense of freedom, that is one can look out without worrying about meeting other passenger's eyes (just why is that so uncomfortable, anyway?).

She spotted a man sitting in an outer seat leaving the only free window one. "Why doesn't he covet the window like the rest of us?" She wondered. She walked up just as two larger-framed men pushed past and she squeezed up next to the pole in front of the man. Hello! Gorgeous guy on the front. She smiled apologetically and tried to not look like an idiot whilst asking, "Do you mind if I sit there?"

"No, not at all. Go ahead." British. Nice.

"Thanks!" As she went to sit her headphones got twisted round the pole she was leaning against and tore off her head. They both went to grab the headphones and bumped hands.

"Here you go." He said smiling at her in a comforting and curious way.

"Thank you, I'm sorry about that." She was obviously embarrassed but sat down and tried to be normal.

She reached into her handbag and pulled out a worn copy of I Capture the Castle. The British guy glanced over and checked out her book before looking away again. She peered out the window thinking of how attractive the man's hands were. She wanted to pluck up the courage to speak to him but the taboo of meeting people via public transportation loomed darkly over her.

Just then the man pulled out a book of his own. She tried to glimpse the title but couldn't make it out without him noticing her noticing him. It was as if he only pulled it out for her benefit since after a tense minute or two he put the book away again.

They shifted a bit next to each other but not uncomfortably. Words that were straining to be said were lost against the backdrop of several boarding passengers and the inconsistent humming of train.

Finally her stop was coming up and as she went to stand he stood, too. He moved ahead near the doors. She was peeking round a woman and caught the face of the man. Then she ducked back behind the woman nervously. As she put her head round again the doors were sliding open and she saw the man smiling at her. She smiled back.

He drifted through the crowd flowing towards the exit. She tried to keep him in view but people were moving in on her from both sides and she struggled to keep up.

She stepped quickly outside into the open air and caught a glimpse of the man at the street corner waiting to cross. He looked back just then and saw her standing by the subway entrance doors. He gave the briefest of waves and crossed the street walking fast into the cold night.