Ian’s Pov

“Have a nice day ma’am!”

I wrapped the red bowtie around the pastry box and placed it into the elderly woman’s hands. She gave me a kind smile, “Thank you! What a nice young man.” She pulled out a dollar from a red clutch purse and dropped it in the tip jar. With her daily pastries in tow, Ols Mrs. Meralis’ shuffled out of the cafe.

I looked around the dining area of the store. In a booth, a group of friends sat around laughing and sipping their iced lattes, enjoying their Saturday night. A couple I’ve never seen before today prepared to leave for a night on the town. They pushed their chairs in and left into the cool autumn air, laughing and holding hands.

I smiled at the two happily walking away. In my head, they were on a date. Did they have a good time here, snacking on croissants and coffee? Were they headed to a concert or the museum maybe? I don’t know, maybe I was wishfully thinking of my own hopes.

I let out a deep sigh as I bused the table, pulling a rag out of my pocket to scrub the coffee and grime. Look at me, hopeless romantic wanting dates and love when in reality I can’t even keep a guy in his life.

“Ian.” I jolted in surprise, too deep into my thoughts. My coworker Mindy was pulling on her jacket. “Thanks for taking care of closing tonight, just make sure everything’s locked up and you should be good. I’ll see you tomorrow!” I waved her off as she disappeared into the night. Guess it’s just another lonely night at work.

---

“Thank you, have a nice night!” The last group of people left the cafe as I flipped the sign from ‘welcome, we’re open’ to ‘sorry we’re closed.’ Before I could leave for the night, I had to clean the coffee machine, washed the dirty dishes, and swept the floors. The warming atmosphere of the shop seemed to fade without customers. I felt lonely, more lonely than usual. I put in my headphones and got to work.

Smells Like Teen Spirit. Schuyler Sisters. Hey There Delilah. With my music, the work went by quickly. I lost track of time in the work and by the time I finished the chores, the clock struck midnight. “Oh fuck!” I stared up at the niche wall clock. I was so transfixed that I didn’t realize it was this late. The last train out of the city leaves in ten minutes. It was fifteen from the station, maybe twelve if I sprint. I had no time to waste.

I yanked my work apron off and threw it on the rack, shoving on my pull-over hoodie. My stomach grumbled in discomfort; I hadn’t realized in my rush that I hadn’t had dinner either. Whatever, I grabbed a chocolate eclair out of the display case and hurried out of the store. My hands fumbled with the keys, trying to lock up as fast as possible. There was a subtle click from the door, and when I tried to open it wouldn’t budge. I pocketed the key and made my dash towards the station.

In the most tiring run of my life, I made it to the train station. Just as I swiped my train pass and stepped onto my platform, I saw the butt of my train home leaving the station. The electronic text scrolled on the screen ‘12:10 - Gilmore.’ I waved out to the large vehicle chugging away, yelling like the conductor could actually hear me. “Wait!!! I need to get hoooome!!!! Pleeeease!” I pleaded to no avail. I stood at the station as the backlights disappeared out of view.

Damn it, damn it damn it damn it. I tied to calm my tantrum before anyone saw me raging. I looked around, there was only one other person waiting on the platform, but it seemed he didn’t notice. His head stared down in his lap, and his face was masked by a hood. Thank god for that at least.

I paced for a minute thinking about my situation. I’ve never been stuck in the city before. God, I knew I should have just moved into an apartment in the city; I travel here every day anyway, but no. I decided to rent a house out of the city for cheaper. Now I have no way home and I’m stuck in the city.

I thought about my options. Could I crash in the cafe? No… if my boss found out I’d be definitely fired. I could call Mindy. She’d probably let me hang at her place for the night. She was telling me about her plans to go out all night… So my only two options were bum out all night, or pay an arm and a leg for an uber.

Just as I was about to leave the terminal, a second train rolled into the tracks. For some reason, I decided to check the train schedule board. My eyes scanned the long list of train stops. The last one crossed off was my train that left me behind making me feel a tinge of frustration. There was one last stop on this platform, ‘12:25- Hill Shire.’ As the train behind me let out a winded exhaust the train doors slid open. A powerful voice rang through the intercom. “TWELVE TWENTY-FIVE FOR HILL SHIRE”

For some reason, Hill Shire sounded familiar to me. I think it was a town over from Gilmore. A thought came to mind, I would ride the train, then get a ride home. It would be cheaper than calling a car in the city. I didn’t have to stress about finding a place to stay. Looking at all my other options, it seemed like my best choice.

The intercom sounded again, “TWELVE TWENTY-FIVE FOR HILL SHIRE.” I was hesitant to step on. What if I got lost. What if I couldn’t find a way to Gilmore, then I’m stuck in a completely different town.

To my side, I saw the hooded person stand up and make his way into the train car in front. I heard the voice for the third time “LAST CALL TWELVE TWENTY-FIVE FOR HILL SHIRE, LAST CALL” I took a deep breath, then stepped into the car. The train doors closed behind me and after a moment, we were on our route.

I took a seat near the door. I was the sole resident of the cart. As the train sped it’s way to the destination, the streetlamps flickered through the windows until we left the city limits. I stared out of the window blankly. The big city disappeared out of view, but over the horizon of mountains, the bright lights shined through the night.

It was about twenty minutes before it felt creepy being in the cart alone. There was the other person in the train-car in front. I thought to myself, It wasn’t like I was planning to talk to him, I frankly didn’t feel like talking to anyone. At least I’d feel less alone in the train though. I stood up and made my way forward.

I slid the door and awkwardly locked eyes with the man’s brown eyes. His hood was off revealing his face. The young man had short quiffed hair and a fresh six o’clock shadow. Just as our eyes met, he looked away. I decided not to mind him and sat down on the nearest bench. I put in my earbuds again and continued to stare out into the darkness.

Halfway through a Journey song, I felt the presence of eyes looking at me. I glanced at the other train patron, just missing his eyes. He went back to staring down, but his face showed surprise, maybe even fluster? His eyes darted back to me, then down to his phone a few more times. It was weird. I felt uncomfortable, thinking to move back to the solo cart.

After catching his eyes again, I demanded irritated, “What?” He jumped back at my call. His attempt to go back to his phone wouldn’t work for me. “Dude, what do you want?”

He looked back with shame on his face. “Sorry man, just never see anyone else on this train… I was curious.”

My tone was angrier than I actually felt, “Well yeah, I’ve had a really shitty night and I missed my train, so sorry.”

He could tell the sarcasm etching from my voice, “Sorry…”

He turned around and stopped staring. I huffed in irritation and continued groveling. I didn’t think I would be in a train lost, being stared down by some shady guy. I thought that would be the end until,

“Hey?” It was the mystery man.

I rolled my eyes, “What?”

All caution signs in my head flared as he stood up and moved a seat closer, shortening the distance between us. “Listen… I really sorry, it’s just, it's not every day a cute guy rides your empty train. Ok, I’ll leave you alone.”

It took me a second to calm down, then another to process what he actually said. Did he just call me cute? I don’t think I’ve ever been called cute, maybe attractive or handsome, but never cute. I was caught slightly off guard.

He stopped staring, but now I actually wanted him to. I didn’t realize how handsome he was until that moment. Ironically, now I was the one looking. There was a pause of silence, but then it was my time to speak. “It's alright, sorry for blowing up.” He dared not to respond. “And thanks… you're pretty good looking too.”

I heard him snort. His face slowly turned back to me. I smiled back. “My name is Luis.” His face was blushed red, but I found it funny and endearing.

I replied by going up a seat closer, “I’m Ian.” After that night, I never felt lonely again.