001
The ability to naturally tune out the buzzing nyc subway and its craziness is something Velithra learned from years of experience and her run ins with the local crackheads. Her eyes has been closed from the moment she stepped on the E Train at Sutphin. She can feel different pairs of eyes from different parts of the subway landing on her for a little too long before they pull away not wanting to be caught staring. Velithra sat with her spine pressed against the hard subway seat. A monochrome statue against the morning chaos. Her high velvet collar was buttoned to the very top, acting like a soft armor shielding her throat from the outside world. Her leg warmers were pulled all the way up to her knees as her heels rest against her bags. Two luggages underneath her. And enough cash just incase she needed to purchase more than one ticket.
Velithra took a deep breath feeling the train stop at 50th Street. Still not opening her eyes she can feel the shift of energy as the people getting off are being replaced with new people. She feels the person who sat next to her since Roosevelt get up and replaced with someone smaller and feminine. The smelly sweaty scent in front of her was replaced by someone more youthful and floral. Her chest rose as the doors closed and the train pulls away bringing Velithra closer to her destiny and further from her past. Again she feels eyes wandering her face. This time it feels more direct. Like someone trying to identify her. She took another deep breath trying to ignore it like usual but this energy pulls her and forces her to instinctively open her eyes, meeting with a familiar warm pair of green eyes who went from studying the mysterious girl dressed in all black carefully trying to identify to lighting up. Both of the girls gasped letting out screams that could compete with the screams of a banshee as Velithra jumps up into the arms of her long lost best friend. Soul sisters is what they called each other since they were seven. Until Velithra was finally adopted by a distant family at the age of nine. They missed each other so much at the age of 14 they both ran away from their homes finding themselves upstate New York. Saratoga is where they ended up. That's where they met the woman who ended up adopting her ginger friend. The girls ended up being separated again losing contact with each other over the years for what felt like forever.
"Velli!!!" Melodie screamed embracing her friend once again. "Mellie!!" Velithra does the same jumping up and down as they embraced each other earning attention from the other passengers on the subway. Including Melodie's companion who sat next to Velithra's empty spot holding this stranger's bags to prevent them from strolling away.
The jumping squealing girls finally died down steadying themselves when they hear the train is only two stops away from Penn Station. Velithra sat down next to the bruenette young girl thanking her for holding her bags with her life. Melodie sat on the right side of Velithra.
Melodie laughed wiping at the corner of her eyes. "I can't believe it's you! I was just telling her about you." She peeks over gesturing towards her friend still clutching Vellie's bags like they might grow legs. Velithra smiled at the girl, guarding the bags with her heels before reaching to shake the girl's hand.
"Hi, I'm Velithra." "Ajin. I've heard a lot about you," said the girl with a slight raspy voice offering a small polite smile.The kind of smile that waited to see what kind of person you were before offering more. Velithra studied her as they shook hands taking in her scent. "I like y-" Just as Velithra was about to compliment Ajin, the operator spoke over the mic announcing the approach of Penn Station.
"Jinnie we missed our stop! Vellie where are you going?" "I'm supposed to get off at Penn," said Velithra. "Come on, let's grab lunch."
