Angel Eyes

"Bloody hell!" A voice yelled, and I felt embarrassment and guilt settle into my stomach.

The person who I had assaulted was tall, his long legs nearly cramped into the car, his skin was fair and his hair brown and a little messy. His eyes were shielded by a pair of dark sunglasses, and his mouth was frowning. He wore a Nirvana t-shirt, black jeans, and black combat boots. On his lap was a piece of black fabric.

I looked deeper into the cab and pulled my suitcase back. "Sorry!" I said sheepishly. "I thought that this was my Lyft!"

He inched his sunglasses down his nose with his forefinger, and set a pair of pretty green eyes on me.

I opened my mouth to excuse myself as I left the car but the lady driving snapped at me to get my attention.

"This is your Lyft. It's a shared Lyft," She explained. "You ride together but you share the price."

Oh, that makes sense.

I awkwardly put my suitcase in the back and got in, closing the door. Our driver drove away before I could fasten into my seatbelt.

"Sorry again for hitting you," I told the other passenger.

He was leaned against his door, rubbing his temples with his thumb and forefinger irritably.

"Sure," He grumbled.

I looked out the window as we passed by the forest. These forests had many myths, and when we were younger we would dare each other to go in there like something out of Pet Sematary. I was dared numerous times, but I never did it.

From down the road we traveled on I saw a giant sign with a fading picture of the waterfalls that made this town famous. Not only were they beautiful, but when people first settled here, they found a lake with clean water. It drew many tourists into town for a few days during the summer.

"I have to ask," Said my fellow passenger. "What would cause a girl you like to come to a town like this?" With a jolt I realized that he had an accent. It was British, deep, and in a way, nonchalant.

I looked at him and shrugged, "Summer. No plans." He nodded in understanding. "What about you?"

"Visiting," He said simply. "I have business here."

I wondered what kind but decided it was none of my business. I also wanted to ask where he was just coming from, but he looked...irritated. And by irritated I meant drunk, so I could put two and two together.

"Are you from England?" I asked him.

He smirked, "Whatever gave you that idea?"

I rolled with his sarcasm, "Don't know. It could possibly be the accent."

"Nothing slips by you, huh?"

"So..." I raised my eyebrows.

He chuckled, "Cheshire. Born and raised."

"If you don't mind my asking, what bring you to Timbuktu, Michigan?"

He thought to himself for a moment, "I do mind your asking."

Oh. Not deterred, I nodded. "I understand."

"Didn't mean to be rude," He said. "It's just...personal."

"I understand," I repeated, accepting his apology. "We just met. You don't have to tell me your life's story."

"I couldn't in the short ride we have together," He smirked.

"That complicated?"

He leaned back against the seat, "Painfully so."

l thought to myself for a moment, not sure what to say to carry the conversation further. "Well," I started. "If you're ever in town, don't stray from the Jubilee Diner. It's pretty cool."

"Does it have good food?" He asked.

"Delicious." I wondered if I should mention if I worked there, or let it be a sweet surprise if he came to see me wiping down tables. I decided that having a job was nothing to be embarrassed by. "I work there."

He raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"My mom owns the joint," I explained. "I needed a summer job so she decided to help me out. I can maybe give you a discount if you decide to bless us with your discount."

He grinned, "They always told me I'd make friends in high places."

This earned a laugh from me, "Not a huge discount. We still need to get by somehow in this town."

"The prices had better not be outrageous," He warned playfully. "Like four dollars for a bottle of water."

"Water is free at most places," I snorted. "Though we do serve bottles. Not for four dollars, though."

"Great," He said. "Otherwise I'd die of dehydration."

Our conversation had been entertaining me so much that I hardly noticed when we had stopped. I looked at our destination. It was the diner. There were about five cars outside and the sign buzzed with electricity, fighting for life as it flickered like it was doing Morse code.

"I'm impressed," My fellow passenger said sarcastically.

I turned to look at him once again, "What's your name, stranger?"

"You'll get that piece of information when I get my discount."

I smiled, "Well mine is Kendall."

"Nice to meet you."

I opened the door and yanked my suitcase out where it clattered to the ground by my feet. Closing the door, I spun on my heel and entered the diner, fighting the urge to look back.

Notes