Frozen Desire

al clang of the overhead poles. But none of that mattered. I had claimed my seat early, my body leaned back against the headrest, eyes fixed st

until she

my lap, the unexpected weight sent a jolt through me. A sharp inhale of breath. I

through the quiet, thick with embarrass

ce was unmistakable. I kept my gaze ahead, pretending the entire situation didn't bot

ked onto mine, and for a split second, something shifted. I cou

it is for me," she said, her voice su

't feel much of anything at all, honestly. But there was something about her p

eated, my voice as flat as before. "I don't feel discomfort. I don't feel much of anything, to be honest." I glanced at her

ttempting to stand up. But as she tried, the train jerked, throwing her balance off. She nearly toppled fo

up at me as if trying to gauge my reaction. I felt her tension in

tening just slightly again to keep her from fall

arted as if to say something, but she didn't, instea

ed to shuffle off of my lap, murmuring anoth

ay I couldn't really explain. I wanted to say somethi

breaking the silence between us. I didn't look at her-my g

confusion cro

is time looking at her. The words felt differe

she hesitated, then shrugged awkwardly. "Oh..

fumbled for something to say. She

ind an open seat. Making her way to the back of the train cart and making

ealized how much

taking another slow drag, the smoke swirling in the air. She buried herself back in her book, though I

was different. No one had ever dared to speak to me like that, to c

cement board, noting that he

r things. As she neared the door, s

tness in her smile almost disarming. "And ag

t myself study her, really study her. There was something about

w, almost a whisper. The words felt... strange, but I s

e she quickly recovered. Her hazel eyes blinked, as if p

something bad, I guess ou

ght. But I couldn't quite shake the feeling of her-her voice, her eyes, he

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view. A barely perceptible smirk tugged at the corners of his lips, the expression fleeting but telling. He leaned back in his seat, taking another long drag from his

hadow over the other passengers as he stretched, the motion fluid and effortless. He took a final drag on his

street, his gaze sharp as he scanned the crowds. The hum of the city greeted him, and he felt the familiar pulse

there

st the cold air. A slow, calculating smile spread across his face. She

me gliding past people as if they were nothing more than obstacles in his

ps. He couldn't quite tell yet. But something about her-her

a passing inconv