He knows her. She doesn't know him but he knows her. The first thing he saw were her shoes but he noticed her socks. Mismatched. He thought nothing of it until he saw her red rimmed eyes and puffy face. Tragic, he thought, such a pretty face ruined by sadness.
It was none of his business why someone might come to a convenience store at 3 in the morning after they'd been crying. He was just there to get some snacks just like her anyway. But he's not that innocent is he? Maybe she isn't innocent like him.
He busied himself by looking at the candies in the small aisle that barely fit him while he looked at her from the corner of his eye. She moved hurriedly yet clumsily, like her mind was moving faster than her feet. The flickering lights made shadows across her face as she moved to the slushie machine. Right next to him. She picked the red and blue flavours. He liked those too.
Fuck off, he reprimanded himself internally, leave her alone. Not so easy to do now that she's standing next to him looking at candies. He could hear her sniffles as she picked up a few things. He couldn't stop thinking of her tired eyes as she walked in. so lonely and sad. He's not unfamiliar with it. That's why they're here aren't they? To feed the everlasting sadness. The hunger that laps at your heart when you are unsuspecting of it. To keep it at bay so it doesn't consume you.
She moved to the alcohol section by the time he finished his thought process. She just stood there looking at her options.
Don't. It's none of your business. He tried to stop himself from saying anything but he couldn't. What if she hurts herself? Its almost dawn and she's looking at cheap spirits.
“It's not a good idea,” he said, looking at candy.
She turns her head towards the voice. Seeing as there is nobody else other than the man she asks, “What?”
He looks at her then. Her wide eyes staring into his soul. Can she see my sins?.
“It's not a good idea to drink at this time.” he hoped that whatever she was going through wasn't serious. She continued to stare into his soul. Her emotionless expression met his own.
“I don't drink.” she looks back at the alcohol.
He looks at her then. Half of her face is hidden by her hood. He shouldn't get involved.
Her hands are shaking and she seems to be swaying.
“Are you on something?” he prodded.
She looked at him with confused shining eyes until realisation seemed to cross her features. “No.”
She ended their ‘conversation’ by going to the cashier to pay for her stuff and left promptly after.
—-
“Hey!”
Bucky turned towards the quick shout. It was the girl. She was sitting on the pavement across the convenience store.
“Yes?” He walked a little closer to see her better.
She had her knees pulled up close to her chest as she sipped on her slushie.
“What's with the interrogation?” Her voice was loud.
“Sorry, you just don't seem ok. Wanted to make sure that you won't do anything stupid.” his expression remained blank as he looked into her dark eyes.
She looked at him with a frown. “Why are you wearing a hat?” She sounds calmer now.
He copied her expression. “Because I like it.”
Their eyes remained locked onto each other. Both are a little confused about their current predicament.
“Can I join you?” Bucky surprised himself with his question. What if she's crazy?. He can take her but it still wouldn’t be an ideal situation.
To his surprise she said yes. Maybe she is crazy. Saying yes to a strange man to join her sitting on the pavement. She's clearly not ok. But neither is he.
Today was hard. He'd been feeling very alone and tired. What a hard and silent day it has been.
He sat next to her on the cold concrete. They ate the candy in silence for a bit.
“Do you feel alone?” she asked in a small voice as she stared off into space.
He remained silent.
“Me too.”
The silence was comforting in the cold.
“Open hand or closed fist would be fine.” he could barely hear her whisper.
He tried to see her face. Her hood is down now, the cold air bites at her skin.
He sits up straighter as she looks at him. Her eyes were teary and wide. It's like he can understand what she wanted.
He pulled her closer to him as she cried into him.
He knows. He knows.
Wrapping both arms around her he brushed her hair away from her face. I'll put you in my heart, little one.
The moon shone for the two strangers holding each other for dear life. Unbroken hearts that cry to bleed.
They sat there for hours holding each other. They watched the sunrise and the sun rays warmed their cold skin.
The ambiance of sunrise soothed their aches and so did the sound of the cold breeze.
Her back was to his chest, his arm around her waist as he leaned his head against hers. He never wants to let go.
In the silence they understood each other. They are lonely souls. But they can be there for each other.
He longed for this. So did she. To hold and be held. To love and be loved. Even for a night.
She interlocked their fingers as they stared at the horizon.
“Tell me your name.” he spoke from behind her.
“You don't need it.”
“Why not?” he was puzzled. What did she mean?
“You’ll never see me again.”