Hello, Stranger

Hello, Stranger

Stranger, your eyes allure me. I caught the colour behind it as it flashed across me just now. The hue —sea green with a tint of gold— is painfully reminiscent of someone from my past. I would love to sit down and chat to you about it, but I know it would bore you to tears. It's an old story. Long, too.

You look really relaxed amongst that group of people. The A-listers, I guess; the ones with chiseled good looks, perfect skin tone and unbelievably silky shiny hair. And the charming personality to boot. Then again, you are one of them, after all.

You turn around and our eyes meet, once more, across the room, amongst the throng of people, through the buzzing chatter and the polite conversations. You raise your cup and twinkle a smile at me.

I don't mirror your movements, but I do smile back at you.

Has anyone ever told you that you have a very nice smile?

I could imagine myself pushing against this wall and walking over to you. I would slip into the crowd and laugh as you told another joke. I would find it hilarious and you would notice me. "Hello, Stranger,” you would chirp, “I haven't seen you around before." And I would laugh while saying something incredibly witty.

I could imagine that, but I don't move from my spot. I’m such a chicken sometimes. So I lean against the wall, and sip my drink politely, my eyes fixed on the unraveling grey laces of my sneakers.

I sneak a glance at you. You're still laughing amongst the crowd, your smile particularly twinkling towards a gorgeous blonde. Our eyes don't meet anymore.

The music is booming from the speakers. The chatter sounds like buzzing static in my ears. The mash of human bodies, limbs and everything in between; it makes me feel claustrophobic. I could not find my friend Alicia anymore. She's lost in this crowd, just as I am lost in this environment.

So I start to leave.

I sneak one final glance at you, Stranger, but you don't look back at me. The blonde is meshing her body against yours, her hands roving across your arm. And you… you are clearly enjoying the attention.

Of course, I never would’ve had the guts to even string a simple sentence in your presence, what more to hold a conversation with you. I hold on to the doorknob and I whisper very softly, my words drowning within the sound waves, "Goodbye, Stranger."

As soon as I step out, the sounds stifle against the wooden door. The rush of relative silence in the hallways brings gratitude from my eardrums. My ears ring, as if the music refuses to leave my senses. I start walking, my steps being muffled by the carpeted floor.

"Leaving a tad early now, aren't you?"

My skin zaps in slight shock. I turned around and there he is... no, not you, Stranger. Someone else. He is much taller than you, lanky even. He is wearing a grey beanie, a grey T-shirt and grey slacks, but the most striking green neon shoes. His yellow laces are unraveling.

He raised his cup to me and smiled. His smile is crooked, just as his pearly whites.

He takes a step towards me.

“Hello, Stranger,” he says, “Can we be friends?”