Chapter 1

Taking the train wasn't exactly new for Steve. Even though it was always crowded with busy people trying to get to work, he had some comfort in sitting by the window with his sketch book and drifting off into his own world.

The only constant he had was the amount of people he was surrounded by. He sat stiff on the hard seat of the train unsure of what to do with his hands. It was the same city he had always known outside the window, only he couldn't shake the loneliness he felt since he got out of the ice. Instead of drawing, he people watched. He thought at first it would be rude, but people were so preoccupied with something, he figured he could get away with it.

The first time he saw her she hopped on the train while it was at its busiest. Her clean white dress decorated with daisies made her hard to miss since most people were dressed in darker clothes. Her brown skin looked smooth and rich in contrast with it. He made a mental image of her so that he could draw her later, he figured busting out his sketch book in the moment would probably be creepy.

The third time, the cart was equally as crowded but she managed to get a seat. Shortly afterwards gave it up for a very pregnant woman with a toddler who had just gotten on. She wore another dress that was bright red and cut just before her knees. Steve shifted in his seat nervously and tried to come up with something say, not at that moment, but for next time.

The fifth time he saw her he had already prepared his move. He sat on the outside seat with his bags on the seat next to him. The cart wasn't too crowded, but most of the seats had been filled. While waiting, he pressed his thumb in his hand and constantly looked back and forth from the window to the train door. Why was he so nervous? Most likely because he was more than what they call rusty. The train stopped at the one she usually got in and he tried his best to look casual. Like clock work, she quietly walked into the cart and put in her headphones. She grasped the silver poll right next to him but was turned facing the opposite window.

He could hear what was coming through her headphones but couldn't tell the genre of music. It sounded like loud, rhythmic talking and her head bobbed to the beat of it. He couldn't get her attention, and he was pretty sure some strange guy touching a woman on a train was weird in any time period. But once she glanced behind her he did an awkward smile and wave combination he immediately regretted. She smiled at him but looked like she was going to turn back around.

"Ma'am?" he just called her ma'am. she couldn't have been in more than her mid twenties but he couldn't think of anything else to say. Luckily she heard him and pulled out one of her earphones.

"Hmm?" she was staring at him with her with wide eyes and he was able to notice up close just how pink her lips were. He lost his train of thought for a second until she tilted her head in confusion.

"Uh… would you like to sit, you can take this one." he took his bag from the seat next to him and placed it in his lap. She could decline of course, but he hadn't quite prepared anything to say past that point.

Her smile returned even wider which made Steve's shoulders relax. "Oh perfect, thank you." he gave a tight nod. As she scooted past him to the seat, he noticed she smelled like coconut. It wasn't a familiar scent to him, but easily recognizable. He coughed nervously as she smoothed down her orange dress. It was another bright one that popped against her skin. He tried to think of his discussion topics that he so carefully thought of yesterday but he drew a blank.

"I'm Jade." she held out her hand and he quickly took it.

"Steve."

He was glad the silence didn't last long when he finally thought of something to say.

"You from Brooklyn?"

"Nah, just moved here from L.A. a couple months ago. Been living in Manhattan."

"L.A., huh? Thats quite a move. How's the city treating you?" He relaxed a bit more. She tucked a few small coils of hair behind her ear and smirked at him.

"Its a crowded place, you know? Its busy yet still kind of makes you feel lonely, i guess."

"Yeah, I know the feeling." They sat quietly in silence for a couple minuted until he realized her stop was coming up when she rose from her seat and turned towards him. The train came to a rough stop and he reached out a hand to steady her when she lost her balance.

"Thanks. you gonna be here tomorrow?" she asked stepping closer to the doors.

"Ill be here." Internally he was jumping up and down at the fact that he didn't make a fool of himself. On the outside he just tried to give a coy smile.

"Good. Maybe sometime you can show me your Brooklyn." Before he could answer she exited in a bright orange blur and he followed her figure as he looked out the window.

Show her his Brooklyn? Yeah, he could do that.