The Portrait of You

Suitcase in hand, you head to the station. It was a quarter past five as you hurried your way through the crowd of people. You were running late and were hoping that your best friend, Liam, wouldn’t be too mad at you. He has been your best friend since grade school after you shared your snacks with him, because he forgot his own that day. Since then you have always been the dynamic duo. 

You stop by a bench near the tracks, looking up and down the railway. No train yet, which was supposed to be leaving at six o’clock, nor was there any sign of Liam. You check your phone. No text from him, but you reread where to meet him. The usual spot. The bench by the huge clock. The best place to smell the freshly baked pastries from the cafe. 

You decide to sit on the bench, legs moving up down, jittery and anxious. Where was he? Then you feel a smile creep off your face. Of course! You mentally slap your head. There are only two things that could make Liam late. One, freshly baked anything or two, a cute girl. You smile and think to yourself all the times this has happened. Quite a bit, actually.

You scan the crowd again looking for Liam’s unmistakable white blonde hair when you suddenly lock eyes with a peculiar stranger. He was sitting on a bench across the way, one leg propped up on his other with a sketch pad balancing on his knee. His dark brown eyes seemed to be taking in all of your features, like he was examining every part of you. He was young, probably in his early twenties. You fidget with your hair and face unsure of yourself, a little insecure. He smiled at you and tipped his grey flat cap. 

Then you hear footsteps drawing nearer and you turn to see Liam hustling his way through the crowd. His blonde hair disheveled and wide green eyes spotting you as he hurried over. A bag was slung over his shoulder and a suitcase rolling at his side. 

“I am so sorry I’m late,” he said breathlessly, “Traffic was awful.” You roll your eyes internally. 

“It’s alright. The train should be here soon. I’m just glad you were able to get her number,” You laugh at his expression. He was caught and knew it.

“How did you…” he began.

“Please,” you roll your eyes externally this time, “In the many years of knowing you there are just some things I know. But this was what told me.” 

You pulled the corner of a piece of paper sticking out his breast pocket of his coat. He snatched it quickly out of your hands. He placed it back in his pocket and patted it down. 

“Plus,”  You added, “I don’t see a pastry freshly baked in your hands.”

“You know if you just let me date you I wouldn’t be late for things anymore,” he shrugged nonchalantly, but eyed you intently.

You roll your eyes again. He always jokes like that, but there are moments, like this one, that you’re not sure he is joking at all. Before you could say something the train made its way on the platform. The crowd got thicker as the train screeched to a halt. The train conductors open doors and help people through. As you grab your bags to move forward you suddenly remember the artist that sat on the bench, unfortunately the train was in the way so you couldn’t see across the way. Disappointment gripped you. For a strange moment you would have liked to see him again. Just for one more glance. One more look at the strange stranger. 

“Hey,” Liam tapped you on the shoulder, “Did you hear me?”

“Mmmm,” You said, “What?”

“I asked what do you want to do when we get there,” Liam asked, giving a raised eyebrow at you. You and Liam got into a line outside of one of the doors into the train car. 

“Well, say hi to your grandmother, eat all of her cooking, then sleep and repeat,” you said smiling at him. 

Visiting Liam’s grandmother was always the highlight of the winter holiday. You and Liam have been visiting her since you met him. Her house was always filled with sweets, amazing cooking, and warm tea that you would feel all the way to the tip of your big toe. She always knitted you a huge blue sweater that would reach your knees. She was the best thing in the world to you and Liam. 

“Oh come on, “ Liam huffed, “We have to do something more. Let’s go into town and visit shops or take a walk in her garden. She told me she planted new roses.”

“We can do that stuff tomorrow. We have a full week with her,” you said as you finally go to the stairs leading up to the car door. The conductor held out his hand for you to hold as you walked up and inside. You made your way through the tightly made hallway of the car. Peering into each compartment’s glass doors until You find one with no one inside. Leading the way You and Liam pile into it. 

“Can we at least go to the pub,” Liam whined.

“Isn’t one girl’s number enough,” You ask.

He gave you the pouty lip and you rolled your eyes for the fourth time today. 

You turn to lift your suitcase to the suitcase rack when you notice a corner of a piece of paper sticking out of the front pocket. You don’t remember putting anything in the front pocket. With Your eyes narrowed, You take the folded piece of paper out. You open it slowly to see a sketched portrait of yourself sitting on a bench. Startled, you look around. Behind the glass door in the hallway stood the artist you had seen in the station. He smiles at you, tips his hat, and moves to walk away. As he walks you catch a hit of purple flames dancing on his fingertips. But it happened so fast you weren’t sure if you actually had seen it or if you were imagining things. 

“What’s wrong,” You hear Liam ask, but you were already speeding your way to the door. You stop in the hallway and look around. He was gone.