She took the midnight train

All Candice could hear around her were the jabbers of other people on board the train. It was such a bore. She almost put her headphones in when she heard someone acknowledge her. She assumed it was a person looking for a seat and she sighed. She had been hoping to have a seat for her stuff, but she supposed she could make an exception. It was rush hour, after all. Candice glanced at her phone – Erin was planning on having a takeout night and she wanted Candice to pick something up on the way home. Only problem was that Erin had yet to decide what she wanted!

”It’s fine.” Candice said. She looked over at Brody. His face was familiar but she couldn’t place it. Yet, he knew her name, so they must know each other. Candice sat up a little bit and narrowed her eyes. ”Ah, hi. Not to be rude, but... how do we know each other?” Maybe a class? This guy seemed nice. Hopefully he wasn’t one of those guys who prayed on girls on busses... she shifted slightly to make sure all of her assets were properly hidden and modest.

Oh, so he was in her class? Candice felt the tension she’d been building up ease. If that were the case she could certainly see the appeal in approaching her to ask if he could sit there. It was easier to approach someone you knew. Had the situations been reversed she would have come over too.

”It’s fine. No, we have a class together. I just didn’t realize.” She said, no longer adjusting herself. When he assured her he wasn’t creepy – and then said that was exactly what someone who was creepy might say – she quirked an eyebrow. ”Yes. That is exactly what a creep would say. However, I believe you about being in my class. It’s crowded – I see no reason for you to have to leave.”

People continued to talk on the bus about this and that, and Candice after allowing Brodie to sit beside her she glanced down at her book, content to just relax. But when he spoke up and mentioned he’d been at the book signing she furrowed her brows. Had he, now? That was news to her. Then again she didn’t see too many guys at the book signing. She narrowed her eyes slightly, wondering if he was actually being honest or if he was trying to get her guard down to open her up. She couldn’t help it – that was very much the same tactic Alex had used against her when he had manipulated his way into her heart!

”Ah, yes. I did. It was phenomenal; I love her works such as this one. I was happy to get a signed copy.” She said. She looked at the man then, wondering if she could catch him somehow. ”I was disappointed I didn’t see her publishing company there – I wanted to get a letter of upcoming releases they had to consider my options for reading next summer.”

The publishing company had certainly been there – she had actually seen them and gotten the pamphlet. She wondered if Brodie would have seen them if he was there or if he would just agree with her. She gave him a small smile that didn’t quite match her eyes yet, her guard still up.