-ADENA-349Please respect copyright.PENANASXvr2Z0XG8
On the start of the day that twisted my life into knots, I was standing shivering on a train platform, bundled in my thin windbreaker and a scarf as the locomotive came pumping towards me. 349Please respect copyright.PENANAG24jwMue0F
I was one of few passengers on this cold, Sunday afternoon, and I only had a small blue backpack slung over one shoulder. Even though I was sixteen and perfectly capable of boarding a train on my own, I was still a little hurt that my father hadn’t come with me.349Please respect copyright.PENANAcPH52YzekW
Under the circumstances, it was wrong to blame him. I knew that. But still, I was nervous, and I could have used his reassurance…349Please respect copyright.PENANATwq8M4aRUg
The train came to a screeching stop at the platform, and as the other passengers hurried for the doors, I hung back a moment. Do I really want to do this...349Please respect copyright.PENANAdnsYuQJM5L
Then again, I wasn’t so sure this was a matter of wanting. With a deep breath, I joined the line by the door, and suddenly felt someone’s eyes on me.349Please respect copyright.PENANAAO8GZRFZpm
My skin prickled, and I turned my head to find my eyes drawn immediately to a guy standing against the post in front of the platform, who was indeed looking at me. He had thick blonde hair hanging loose over his forehead, and his arms were bare and crossed across his chest, well-toned with muscle. I could see several tattoos adorning his upper arms. He wore a white sleeveless shirt, a black leather vest, and a pair of dirty jeans. He studied me as I studied him, and after a second I realized he was smiling.349Please respect copyright.PENANA8zhkpyy23h
I stiffened and quickly turned away to board the train, trying to keep my face from going red. Guys never looked at me like that at school – in fact, guys at school barely even noticed me. My friends said it was because I was too quiet. More like too dorky. 349Please respect copyright.PENANAS2AiRlXip6
The inside of the train was warm, at least, and I found an empty row to sit in. I plopped myself down by the window, sliding my backpack into my lap. Let’s get this over with…