Small World
(Mix of two AUs: "your music is really loud but oh my god this is my jam"; "you live in the apartment above me and every day I can hear you singing in the shower but you're really good and it makes my day", both from edge-of-bizzare!)
I can hear his music blaring through his headphones on the train.
It's late, but it wasn't when I got on. The only open spot was a stand-up across from him and, an hour and a half later, the train is nearly empty and I don't feel like sitting down.
I try to mind my own business, staring down at the book in my hand, mouthing along to the words of the song he's listening to. But I can't focus on the book, because he's really cute and I think I feel him–
–Yup, he's staring at me.
I slide my gaze to him and he's grinning, bobbing his head to the beat. I blush and immediately look away.
Then he brushes my arm. I nearly drop my book as I turn to look at him. He's smiling and it's beautiful. "You can sit, if you'd like. We can listen to the song together!"
I chuckle. It sounds awkward and out of place. "Oh, no, it's fine. I love that song, is all."
Still smiling, he offers his headphone to me. "No, c'mon, I love this song, too. The girl that lives in the apartment above me sings it all the time in the shower." Dread fills my stomach. Oh, stars. "She's really good. Hits all the notes every time. That's half the reason I like this song so much."
I laugh again and then decide to take his offer, glad I won't be singing during the trip.
As the song plays in one ear, he glances at me. "So, where you headed?"
"Home," I say. The problem is, I realize that's likely also where he's going….
"Oh, really? Me too!" Dammit. "I had class this morning and then work until 9. I've been looking forward to my bed all day."
I nod. I can't believe he's talking to me, considering he's probably pretty far out of my league. "I've just been at work all day," I tell him. "I wish this train ride wasn't so long."
He laughs. I wish he'd do it more often. "It's a big city, especially when everywhere you have to go is all the way across town. I don't think I've ever seen you on this train, though."
I shrug and then let out a sigh. "I had to work a double. Usually I'm off by 5 at the latest."
"What do you do?"
"I'm a mechanic."
He studies me now, an eyebrow lifted. "You're pretty young."
That's what they all say. "I'm naturally talented, or so people tell me. I took a lot of shop classes in high school."
"Did you just graduate?"
He's probably older, I realize. "Yeah, back in June. I should be in college, but I can't afford it. Plus, there's not really a point."
The intercom goes off and we're only two stops from the station near the complex.
He frowns at my statement. "That's a shame. I'm sure you're pretty smart."
I feel myself blush again. And, comets in the sky, I think I have butterflies. "Thanks," I tell him. "What're you studying?"
"Business." He rolls his eyes and lets out a long groan. "My dad wants me to take over the family business when he retires. I guess this is my fate, though."
He laughs, but I don't think he likes it much. I nod. "I see."
"So, do you have a name?"
I discover that he's long since paused the music. I gulp. "Cinder."
He sticks out his hand. "Kai. It's a pleasure to meet you."
His hand is warm and strong, and his caramel brown eyes are pretty breath-taking, too. "Pleasure's all mine," I sputter out, though I'm a little more than embarrassed about how it sounds.
The train starts to slow again and the intercom sounds.
I stand up and he follows. "Oh, is this your stop?"
I'm reluctant to answer. "Yup!"
"Mine too! You live around here?"
"I guess you could say that."
The closer we get to the apartment building, the more I realize he's probably getting suspicious, the way he keeps randomly going quiet and glancing at me with a strange look on his face.
Finally, he's buzzing in and staring at me. "Are you following me, Cinder?" He sounds serious, but at least he's still smiling. Maybe a bit creeped out.
"I, um, I live here," I explain.
He laughs. "No way! What floor?"
"Twelfth."
His smile fades, but I think it's more in shock than anything. "Are you, by chance–"
All I do is nod.
His grin returns and we walk into the elevator. "When did you realize that?"
"When you said that the girl above you sings that song all the time."
He bumps me with his elbow. "You should've said something. You've got to sing for me some time!" Then his ears tinge pink and he clears his throat. "Well, you don't have to, but if the situation ever arises…."
I nudge him back with my own elbow. "Sure, if the situation ever arises."
We both turn away from each other and silence fills the small space. The elevator is slow. We're only at the sixth floor.
Seventh.
Eighth.
"Hey, Cinder?"
I nearly jump when he addresses me. I meet his eyes, and they're stunning even in this poor lighting. "Y-yeah?"
He starts picking at his fingernails nervously. He won't look at me. "Can I take you out for coffee sometime?"
Ninth.
Tenth.
Ding.
The silence has completely engulfed us now. The doors open and he sticks his hand in front of them to keep them that way. And he's staring at me, waiting.
"Yeah, yes. Uh, do you want my number?"
He grins. "Nah. Next time I hear you singing, I'll just wait fifteen minutes after it ends before I come up. We can make plans then."
I'm not sure what to think, and he's so cute and he's looking at me like that and my heart's thudding and I cannot function.
"I'm joking," he says with a laugh. "Yeah, here." He hands me his phone and I type in my information before giving it back.
"I'll see you around, Kai."
He slides out of the elevator and then shoots me a wink as he heads to his door. "I sure hope so."
Author's Note: I've been trying to space out posting these because I've posted so much this week and would like to save some for when my creativity is inevitably killed by school..., but I had a fabulous day and for that, I'm posting this. It makes sense in my head. Or whatever. Can you tell I've been really into AU prompts these last few days? (I hope you said yes because, believe me, there's a couple more.)