Chapter 2
After a night of tossing and turning on my bed, I looked like crap and I felt like it too. I only had a handful of things I was actually going to take with me. Then again the remodeled shed I was living in came furnished so it wasn’t like I could take anything with me. I had my clothes, a photo of me and my mom, and some cash I had saved up. There was only one thing left for me to do, bring Mrs. Robinson the mail one last time.
I got dressed in a simple grey tee shirt and a pair of jeans and topped it with an olive utility jacket. I looked around the place one last time before taking the key off my key ring and leaving it on the counter. I closed the door and didn’t look back.
I went to the mailbox and got the mail before walking to the door and knocking. She opened the door with a big smile that faded when she saw my bag.
“You’re leaving?” She asked.
“Uh yeah. Here’s your mail.” I said.
“Where are you going?” She asked.
I paused for a minute. I couldn’t afford anyone finding me and the less Mrs. Robinson knew the better off she’d be so I lied.
“I’m heading to San Francisco. I have an old friend that works at a tech start up, they’re looking for interns and she offered me a place to stay so I’m heading out there.” I said.
“So soon?” She said. “You just had your last exam.”
“It’s really competitive and it’s a great opportunity.” I said.
“Oh, well I’m happy for you Molly, I now you’re going to do great things. I can’t say I won’t miss you.” She said sadly.
“I’ll miss you too Mrs. R.” I said.
“Can you wait one second, I made you something.” She said.
“You didn’t have too.” I said.
“Oh hush, you’re a good girl Molly let someone spoil you.” She said coming back with a Tupperware filled with baked goods.
“These are all my favorites.” I said.
“I wanted to give you something to celebrate your graduation since you’re not going to it.” She said.
“Thank you.” I said tearing up.
“Oh come here you.” She said pulling me into a hug. “Take care of yourself and don’t be afraid of visiting.”
“I will.” I said knowing it was a lie. “Thank you, for everything.” I gave her a small smile before walking to the nearest bus stop.
I walked up to the ticket window and said, “Can I get a one way to New York City?” I said.
“Will that be cash or credit?” The bored teenager asked.
“Cash.” I said making sure to keep my head down. I slid a few bills through the slot and took my ticket. I quickly boarded the bus and put on my headphones. Forty-Eight hours later I finally got to New York City, Harlem to be specific. The place was a wreck on the plus side property values had dropped so I managed to get a great deal on a studio apartment. Downside, I’m fairly sure the apartment across the hall is rented by the hour and the guy down the hall may or may not be a drug dealer. I miss Colorado.
I set up the apartment as best I could while I got some cleaning supplies and maybe even hired an exterminator. I looked around and briefly considered going back, then I remembered the three months I lived under a bridge and realized if I could survive that then this was practically a room at the Plaza.
I lay in bed and started to doze off when I heard the distinct squeak of mattress springs. For a second I thought it was my bed but it was followed by loud moans and I realized it was coming from the apartment next door. I was so screwed.
Eventually I lost the will to stay awake and knocked out. I woke up to loud banging at one of the doors followed by more yelling. Note to self start falling asleep with headphones on or buy a noise machine. There was no point in going back to sleep so I got up and showered before getting dressed and taking the train and seeing where I’d end up. I ended up in Brooklyn.
I sat down towards the back and took a newspaper someone had left at the table. I looked through the classifieds and marked a few of the wanted ads that looked promising. Then I saw an ad for a local community college. If I wanted to fit in I’d have to start planting some roots and building a life. Going to college seemed like a step in the right direction.
I could start at community college and maybe transfer somewhere.
“Excuse me ma’am is this seat taken?” I heard someone ask. I looked up and saw a tall blonde man with gorgeous blue eyes. He was wearing a blue button up and khakis. Not very modern but it worked for him.
“Sure.” I said.
“Is that today’s paper?” He asked.
“Uh yeah. I found it at the table you want to take a few pages I just need the classifieds?” I offered.
“If it’s not too much trouble.” He said shyly.
“Of course not, here you go.” I said handing them to him.
“Thank you. How long you lived here?” He asked.
“I’m not from here I just moved here yesterday.” I said keeping it short. “What about you?” One thing I learned while on the run, the best way to avoid answering questions was to ask a person about themselves. Most of the time they’d either get the idea or they’d start blabbing away and wouldn’t notice when I was ignoring them.
“I was born and raised in Brooklyn but I’ve been away for a while.” He said.
“Well there’s no place like home.” I said.
“Yeah there really is.” He said with a sad smile. “Where are my manners? I’m Steve Rogers.” He said offering me his hand. This guy was really well mannered. There aren’t any guys like him anymore.
“Mo- Hayley, Hayley Adams.” I said shaking his hand.
“It’s good to meet you Hayley.” He said. “So what made you move to New York? Parents get a new job?”
“Uh no, they’re not in the picture.” I said.
“I-I’m sorry, that’s not easy to deal with.” He said and by the look on his face I could tell he was speaking from experience.
“It is what it is.” I said sadly. “It was time for a change so I decided to move.”
“It’s a great place for that.” He said.
“That’s what I was hoping for.” I said looking at the clock on the wall. “Wow I have to go, have a meeting to get to.” I put money down on the table. “It was nice meeting you Steve.”
“You to Hayley.” He said with a friendly smile. He looked down and the smile faded. I looked down and all I saw was my necklace. I decided to ignore it and walk out. If I wanted to make it to walk in hours with the community college counselor I had to get moving.
Third Person’s POV-
Steve watched as Hayley walked out of the diner. He couldn’t take the image of her necklace out of his head. One of the pendants, the one shaped like a bird was identical to the mark on his right bicep. It was impossible. He had that mark since he was a teenager. He spent seventy years frozen there was no way it was possible that his soulmate had been sitting in front of him just moments ago.
He shook off the thought and focused on what was in front of him, present day news that he had no idea what it was truly talking about since he missed the last few issues.