Samantha.
It's one in the afternoon, and the shower feels great against my skin, but I have to hurry. I have another 16-hour shift today. Luckily, I don't have to worry about taking Alex to my mother's today. Alex is at his father's house. He moved out of state with his family. Alex stays there one month at a time due to the distance. When he is gone, I have nothing left to my life besides work. My time is spent picking up extra shifts in the warehouse. I try to take extra shifts and rack up as much money as I can when he's gone. Even though he watches him for a month, Jared never buys him anything. To be paying rent in my little studio apartment and being a single mom, I am pretty much always broke. Not to mention, the clothes and toys Alex left with never returns with him. Imagine having to repurchase a whole wardrobe every other month. Jared doesn't even blink an eye when I complain about it either. He never cared and still doesn't.
Despite my tight schedule and budget, I've been at peace since the breakup. My hardship is my hardship, and I can accept that. What I can't accept is having someone to depend on that's not at all dependable. At least this way, there's no false hope.
I'm finally out of the shower and dressed with about three minutes to spare. I open up the fridge, forgetting that I don't do much grocery shopping when Alex is out as well.
"Chocolate donut it is.." I sigh as I claim it from the fridge. I reach under the cabinet for a room temperature water, just like I like it and head out.
As I wait for my bus, I check over my appearance in my reflection of a parked car window.
My curly hair seems to be behaving today. I braided it back in two big braids and left the bottom out in a puffy mess down my back. My brown roots are beginning to show, and I mentally take note of how I need to pick up a copper hair dye from the beauty supply store to touch them up. My caramel skin seems a little pale from lack of outdoor adventures and overnight shifts, and my light brown eyes are dull from exhaustion.
I lean closer to the window to fix my collar. I bring my face close, and I scrunch it up in a silly duck face and chuckle to myself.
Suddenly, the window shoots down, and a handsome man with the deepest ocean blue eyes is staring at me. His black hair is up in a bun and fades at the sides. His diamond shaped face and thin nose are dipped in olive skin. His sharp, defined features are holding me captive for some reason.
"Can I help you?" His deep sexy voice breaks me out of my trance.
"I uhm, huh?" is all my dumb mind could muster up. I find myself fixated on his full lips.
His hand flies over his face, and I might be crazy, but I think he is blushing. He definitely notices that I am drooling over him.
The window goes back up, and he drives off in a rush, it appears. I'm speechless staring at the rear lights as he shoots down the street.
What a weirdo... Well, I shouldn't be talking. I mean, I'm more of the weirdo, aren't I? Using his car as a vanity.
My bus pulls up, and I get on. The whole ride, I can't seem to shake off the embarrassment. I can't shake off his eyes. Those beautiful blue and intense eyes that I've never seen on anyone else. I mean, they were a shade of blue with specks of silver dancing in its waves. He was so handsome. I've never seen him before. Well, it's not surprising living in the city. Sadly, that means I'd probably never see him again. But why do I truly feel sad about it?
I'm so helpless. If I told my best friend, I could imagine she'd say it's because I haven't had sex in over two years. Sad because I was still in a relationship at that time. For once, she is right. I will never admit to her, though. Imaginary Kimberly is right. I'm glad I won't be seeing her today.
....
The rest of my day went in a haze. I couldn't stop daydreaming about the man in the red charger; how his stern gaze faltered slightly before my eyes. I'm home now, and even the shower isn't helping.
"What the fuck is wrong with me?" I turn off the water and snatch my towel to wrap it around myself. I walk into my room and lay in bed. It's 7am and I have to get up soon for another long shift but those eyes are waiting for me when I close mines.
12 came sooner than later and I feel so restless. I just want to stay in bed. I'm exhausted. Not only did it take over an hour to fall asleep, but I was also in and out of sleep. That stranger from yesterday haunted me even in my dreams. At this point I really need to get laid.
My routine us slightly different than yesterday since I showered right before bed. Today I get to lounge and relax for an hour before heading to the bus. I take my clothes out and set them on the couch. Then I stroll over to the cabinets and pull out an instant Ramen. I put it in a pot with water and leave it to boil.
Today I work with Kimberly, and I think I will take the odd initiative to ask her to hang out this weekend. I need a shot and to shake my ass apparently. She is so going to know what's up.
My Ramen starts to boil and soften. I take an egg from the fridge and crack it inside the pot after pouring in and mixing the packet of seasoning.
I enjoy my Ramen and before I know it it's time to head out to the bus.
My phone dings off as I reach the bus stop.
A text message from Kimberly.
"See you at work!" It reads. Yeah, see you there and I can't wait till you hear how deprived I feel. She's going to have a field day for sure.
From the corner of my eye a flash of red zooms by and I look up. It's the red charger from yesterday. It's right in front of me and as the window rolls down its like I'm holding my breath hoping it's him again. It is. His face is turned to me and this time he has on dark sunglasses so I can't see his beautiful eyes. It's ok though they're burned into my brain already. Not that I have to wait long before they're right before me.
He slides his glasses down his nose and peeks over them. They're just as intense as in my flashbacks. His mouth begins to move, and I look at it not hearing a single word at first. He's saying something again and I look at him confused.
"What?" I stutter.
"Get in the car."