"And so I told her,' Jane, if you want guys to like you you're gonna have to let them know you find them attractive." Mary Elizabeth babbled on and on before our last class.
"Wow, what words of wisdom." I replied monotone.
"I know! And she just won't believe me—"
"Okay class," Mr. Simmons stepped into the room. I thanked the heavens for today's lesson; only as long as it got Mary Elizabeth to shut up.
"Since today is Friday, I've decided to push your test until next week. Feel free to utilize this time for study, or talking, or whatever you young adults do nowadays." Just before Mary was about to get started, I walked up to Mr. Simmons.
"Is it okay if I leave now? I'd much rather study at home."
"I suppose," he nodded, "have a wonderful weekend."
"Thank you, Sir." I headed for the exit.
"I expect good grades next week!" he called from behind me.
~O~
The chill air blew, making my hair whip around in curly blonde wisps. I walked the London streets, ignoring the passerby. Though it's not like they were doing anything interesting. After all, this city is so dull. The buildings are dull, and the people are dull. Everyone is so much the same that there's no individuality. After all my 21 years of being alive, the only thing I've ever looked forward to is the comet that comes every 100 years. In fact, it's the only reason I've stayed here; this is supposedly the best spot to see it. The news says that it'll be soaring through the sky Friday of next week.
I smiled to myself. I could hardly bare the idea. After that, it's off to traveling the world, one country at a time all by myself. Finally, freedom. Caught up in my own thought, I didn't even see the person running into me. I fell to the ground, landing on my bum with a thump. My curls fell in my face, masking my embarrassment from the world.
"Oh dear, my apologies. Here," a hand reached out to me. I slowly took it as the person helped me to my feet.
"I'm so sorry," I began adjusting my hair, "I was just so lost in thought that I…" I trailed off. In front of me was a man. A tall, slim, strange looking man. Well, I wouldn't call him strange, but he was definitely different from everyone else. He was dressed in old man's clothes, had a nice little bow tie, but—best of all— he had a cheery grin on his face.
"You know, they say we only get lost in thought because it's an unfamiliar place."
"Who are they?" I asked.
"Hmm, I'm not quite sure but whoever they are, they're very wise."
"Indeed." He glanced at his watch which seemed oddly space-agey.
"My! Look at the time. I've got to get going or I'm going to miss the T—" he cut himself short, looking at me. "Thing. Or I'm going to miss the thing. Well then, off I go!" He began to rush away when something clinked out of his coat pocket. A strange looking device it was, what with it's many buttons and lights. I picked up the gadget carefully. I turned around to see the man halfway down the street. Though I couldn't tell what it was, the man probably needed it.
"Uhm, Sir?" I called after him, getting no response. "Excuse me!" I walked after him. He turned a corner, so I had to run to keep him in sight. As I approached the end of the lane, my eyebrows pulled together in confusion; this wasn't another road…it was a dark, wet, alley way. The man seemed to be nowhere in sight. I silenced my breathing as I took another step forward, the click of my heel echoing down the way. I gripped the object tightly against my chest.
"Mister Bow-Tie Man?" I called. Just then, something rustled at the end of the walk. I pressed against the bricks of the wall, squinting to see through the dark. Just barely could I make out the strange man.
"Excuse me!" I jogged blindly into the alley. As I neared closer, I was able to see a tall, shadowed figure— very box-like— centered in the street. The man was climbing into it and closed the door seconds before I could brush the handle. I looked up to the sign displayed on it. It read, "Police Public Call Box." Apparently, this man was making a call to the police. Did he think I was stalking him, or that I stole his little device? I sighed… this is what I deserve for trying to help people. I leaned against the box, deciding to wait for him to finish the call; mainly because I wanted to straighten the situation out. But I didn't have to wait long. The box began to make weird, foreign sounds. The more sounds it made, the less dense it felt. Eventually, I fell bum-first into a mud puddle. I looked up… but the box was gone.
"How could it have disappeared? It was just here!" I was so puzzled. I couldn't be going crazy. I was just leaning up against it! After a few more minutes of confusion, I left the scene. Better to forget what had happened.