Him.
Loneliness. It's sickening and clingy. It follows a breakup and bothers you even if it was you who needed the space.
I feel incomplete and neglected today.
I try to fill the void by picking up my brother and walking to the bus together. He gets his ticket out and as usual, pays for me. But the negative feelings won’t accept the distraction and they manage to get around, somehow.
I dangle from the red, metal bars that surround the seats and try to enjoy the blurring landscape.
My gaze freezes at the sight of this man. Young but much older than me. Six years ahead at least..
His hair is fuzzy, the curls lazy; a shade of dull ginger. His eyes are so dark I know I could see myself reflected in them if he'd only look at me. His cheeks are flushed a timid crimson because of the cold, cold.
An intriguing scar cuts through his upper lip and wrinkles his beard. It makes him seem mysterious and unique. Funny freckles splash the rest of his stern face.
I can see he's pierced his ears twice with lightning shaped earrings. The striped, grey beanie on his head drops and cannot seem to hold its place. His jeans are dark, his coat fluffy, his trainers bright. His gloved fingers engulf a very heavy suitcase
He's well built, with an elongated torso and muscular extremities.
He's so handsome; has a fantasy-like attractiveness that belings in heart-breaking novels.
And then I hear him speak and I shudder instantly because the voice is beautifully gruff. It possesses an envious kind of decesiveness.
I force myself to regain control.
Oh, my stop; it’s coming up: I move to the nearest exit and so does he. What a coincidence! My brother and I turn right and he goes left, accompanied by another man I hadn't noticed before.
I hear his suitcase clatter on the dirty pavement. My trolley rattles to that beat.
They form an impressive duet.
It's in between these street sounds and these words, that I feel my loneliness start to lift off my back, allowing me to straighten up ever so slightly.
I am so grateful for this stranger. He’s done more for me than I ever thought was possible.