I got off the train, trailing beside her.
I'm not sure why, but my brain just made the unconscious decision to stick with her.
I mean, it wasn't bad or anything.
Just different.
While we strolled together to school,
I noticed the way she put on her head phones and sorta dissociated a little.
Considering her incident on the train, this might just be a post-traumatic type of thing.
But nonetheless, it intrigued me.
A few minutes of silence passed and the silence was starting to hang in the air.
I usually don't engage with people, but something in me just wanted to keep talking to this girl.
Soon enough, I gave in and scratched the Itch.
"Uh.. Imani.." I said, scrambling for a convo-topic, "What song you listening to?"
She seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in and looked up at me.
I could tell she was slightly taken back by my out-of-the-blue question but she opened her mouth to reply anyways.
(Thank God)
"Song?" she repeated dumbly, "Pad Thai by Jack Stauber"
I blinked.
She just keeps getting more and more interesting.
I didn't peg her as one of those Weirdcore ,Indie kids, but heck, I'll roll with it.
My face eased into a smirk, "Really? That's pretty cool."
"What's your favorite song by him?" I added, watching the gears turn in her head.
"Hm.. Probably Dead Weight…" She answered.
I was about to reply —'cause that's how a convo works— but then she got flustered out of NOWHERE and started rambling.
"And before you ask, I'm NOT into it just because it's popular! In fact, I liked it before it got popular on TikTok! Like, I'm not a poser and stuff! It's just a good song and and—"
She just kept going…
I'm gonna be real right now, I didn't know she could talk this much.
Yet, I still listened to every word.
Why?
I don't know.
Maybe I'm just happy that she's not focused on the event in the subway,
Or I just like hearing her talk.
Or both.
Nah, definitely both.
When she was finally done with her word salad.
Word vomit?
Whatever you wanna call it,
She stopped and stared at me with a face that screamed:
"OH NO..I SAID TOO MUCH!"
As much as I tried to hold back my amusement, the face was just too much for me and I cracked.
"Oh my god, I didn't know you were a music nerd," I chuckled heartily,
"Hey! Don't laugh, like it's not funny," she mumbled, her eyes suddenly fixed on the ground.
I calmed down a few moments later, but god, she's funny.
"Fine,fine.." I said, my laughter fading into a soft smile,
"No but actually, I get it, Jack Stauber is a pretty good music artist and Dead Weight is a really good song,"
Her head lifted up and she had this baffled expression.
Like she can't believe a random like me could have such superior taste.
"Hey, why the face? You surprised or something?" I teased.
She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms defensively,
"Tch, No?"
I didn't buy it and just kept gazing at her with my shit-eating smirk.
She sighed, a reddish tint dusting her cheek, "Okay fine, maybe I am taken a back, but it's a good thing."
Her hands slowly lowered her head phones, her expression turning sheepish,
"It's just not many people who get my music and it was nice to talk to someone who just…Got it."
My stomach did something funny.
Did she just say it was 'nice to talk to ME?!'
My eyebrows shot up, my cheeks were warming and all of sudden, the sky got real interesting.
"Yeah… No problem, dude." I replied, my voice cracking slightly.
(Fuck, this is so embarrassing)
"And I feel you. It's nice to have someone that just understands shit, you know?" I added.
She made this 'mmm' sound in acknowledgment and we just stopped talking.
This time, It wasn't awkward or uncomfortable,
It felt normal and peaceful.
Like we've done and been doing this for years.
I can't remember the last time I felt this way…
but I'm glad I do now.