The Commute

The subway is always crowded, she thought as she was pushed into the train. People swarmed around her as her fingers wrapped around the cold metal pole, holding herself in place, she set her bag on the floor. Gross. She looked up, peering into the blank faces of the zombies around her. Did she look like a zombie too? She wondered.

Nameless faces, reading the newspaper, feigning sleep, texting on cellphones or choosing a song on their MP3 players. Old, young, business, casual, pretty, plain. They were all there. What category did she fit in? She wondered.

Her eyes rested on a familiar face. Bright blue eyes, strong chin, waves of brown hair framing the face, and lips that were firm and yet soft. He was on the train every day. He always moved to the back. She always stayed by the doors. Today he moved aside, he'd held a spot for an elderly lady. How sweet. Was he for real? Again, she wondered.

His bright blue eyes rested on hers. Colors flashed in her vision as her lashes fluttered, and she looked aside, but not at the floor. Was it warm in here today? She looked out the dark window.

How odd, to have windows just to see flashes of light go by. A warm draft brushed across her neck. It was hot in here today. She wished she could walk to work. She felt trapped, suffocating.

Warm air brushed across her neck again. She raised her fingers automatically rubbing the nape.

"How ya doing?" A strong masculine voice asked from beside her.

"Fine, thank you," she mumbled. Don't mumble, her mother would say. "Thank you," she said louder, looking up.

Up, into bright blue eyes. Brighter then the morning sky, deeper then tropical waters. Eyes that held kindness, freedom...life.

"Long day at work?" he asked casually, as if they were old friends.

"Yes."

"It'll be nice to get off this crowded train."

"Yes, lots of people today."

The train started to slow, people rose from their seats, pushing towards the door.

Oh, thank god! She bent to pick up her bag, and adjusted it on her shoulder. Turning away from him she faced the doors.

She could still feel his heat beside her, feel his eyes on her. They traveled across the nape of her neck, along the short hairline, to the small simple diamond earring that adorned her ear lobe. She could feel the caress, as if it were his hands touching her, and not his beautiful blue eyes.

She moved towards the door as it opened, people spilled from the train like marbles from an opened hand, scattering every which way as they went about their business.

"Let me help you with that," he took the bag from her shoulder. She tried to protest, but he ignored her, smiling.

"We have the same schedule. Funny, huh?" He smiled at her. The skin by his eyes creased when he smiled.

"I guess so." Her breath caught in her throat. She realized her mouth was still opened. She snapped it shut. They walked on, quietly.

"It's hot out today." She brushed a hand across her forehead.


"A little, not too bad though. Not like last week. I should get an air conditioner. But then it will just cool off."

"I live here. You can give me..." her voice trailed off as she reached for her bag. He didn't hand it to her, instead, he set it on the sidewalk.

Suddenly he was in front of her, his hot hands came up surround her face. His eye were so bright, she couldn't look away.

"Every day I watch you go home alone, and I wonder. I wonder if you are really alone. I hope you aren't. But I hope you are. Because every day I wonder if I should talk to you. Every day I wonder what I should do."

His face drew closer, his hot breath brushed her skin, her eyes were locked with his. She couldn't breath, couldn't blink. Her heart stopped as his face came closer.

"Every day I wonder if I should do this." Slowly, softly, his lips touched hers.

Flames shot through her like an explosion, catching her breath, and her lips trembled. Did she make that moaning sound?

His mouth grew firmer, his lips moved over hers, more demanding. Hotter, and hotter. How could his lips be so hot, and not burn her flesh? He parted her lips with his, teasing, tasting, first the bottom lip, then the top.

She was melting, she would never survive this assault on her senses. Surely she would burst into flames and become a pile of ashes. She was sure she would.

She moaned again, unable to control herself. She trembled all over. Her knees were weak, her legs shook, barely able to hold her up. Her heart hammered in her chest.

She moaned in despair as his lips left hers. Cold, lonely. This she would never be able to survive!

She looked into his face again. Odd, he seemed so far away. He bent over, picking up a newspaper at his feet.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he stood upright again. He took a step towards her.

How'd he get so far away?!

"Yes, I'm fine!" Her hand went to her mouth. Dry, cold lips. Cold. There was no fire. There was no kiss. She picked up her bag she'd dropped and rushed up the stairs, unlocking her door with clumsy fingers!

Oh my god! Her face was red, she could feel the blush as she turned and closed the tall glass door.

He watched her enter the building, a curious expression on his face. Odd, he thought. I wonder what that was all about. He chucked as he recalled the look on her face. She looked hungry, and not for food.

He turned to go on his way, looking back over his shoulder. He didn't know she was pressed against the wall, on the other side of the door. He didn't know how badly her hand was shaking as she covered her heart. He didn't know how alone she felt now.

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