She was young. At least one year younger than when she'd first met him. She smiled at him like the stranger that he was. He introduced himself as John Smith, his brain screaming 'get away now' but his hearts beating in a fast, uncoordinated mess, holding him to the spot.
She was on a break from her boyfriend, tired and bored with her life. He pretended not to know.
They ate chips, to keep with tradition.
John Smith was an oddly nostalgic stranger, funny and childish, letting her tell him all about her problems and not even reaching out to touch her. He even managed to smile the whole time.
He was an expert at leaving the tears for later.