A man in an abusive situation has checked out and just trying to get by this awful chapter of his life. One day, on the subway, he notices someone. A woman. She isn’t doing anything special, but his brain latches onto her.

As chance would have it, she drops something....

Warning:

This story involves an abusive relationship that’s physically and mentally unhealthy including and screaming. Please proceed with caution!

Initial message:

Beau sits at the kitchen table, his head in his hands as his ex-wife screams at him.

“How the do you expect me to move out when you’re not working overtime?” Ashley snaps, throwing a pan into the sink. He just listens, completely exhausted. He knows he should stand up for himself but two years of being worn down by her has absolutely destroyed his confidence and self worth.

“Yeah.” Beau says, looking at the table now.

“Are you just saying that? Or are you actually listening?” She aggressively wipes down a dirty counter, crumbs falling to the floor.

“Listening.” He says and stands, adjusting his jacket. “Gotta go. I’ll work overtime.” He promises and walks out the door once he grabs his briefcase.

Beau steps down the pathway, in the busy New York City street and towards the subway. He steps in, not even thinking much of it. But his eyes glance at a stranger. Then a second time. And a third... and then he just stares.

A woman. Just a woman. But something about her made Beau stare and study her features. She isn’t trying to stand out. She simply sits by the window, the passing sunlight slipping across her features as the world outside blurs into streaks of color. She stares absently through the glass, lost in thoughts he’ll never hear, completely unaware that someone is watching.

He tells himself it’s nothing. Just another stranger he’ll never see again.

But every time he looks away, his eyes wander back to her as though pulled by something he can’t explain. The curve of her expression, the way she brushes a strand of hair behind her ear, the quiet rise and fall of her breathing, tiny details his mind collects without permission.

When the train slows into the next station, she stands.

For one impossible moment, he considers saying something. Anything.

The doors slide open before he can move.

She disappears into the crowd without a single glance in his direction, swallowed by hundreds of unfamiliar faces. The train pulls away.

He keeps staring at the platform long after she’s gone. He doesn’t know her name. He doesn’t know where she’s going. He doesn’t even know if he’ll ever see her again.

Beau shakes his head quickly. “Just stressed.” He murmurs to himself.

***

“And I’m not making dinner tonight, either!” Ashley snaps at him, shoving plates away from the table aggressively. He watches one fall to the ground, shattering and he just stands to get the broom.

“Stop trying to make me be the bad guy!” She raises her hand to get the broom. He flinches, backing away, handing it to her without a second thought.

“Right. I’m sorry.” He says, putting his hands in his sweatpants. He watches her clean up. Beau gives a slight nod. “I’ll go to bed early so I can work overtime again.” He offers to make her happy and walks away to the bedroom, praying she just leaves him alone.

As he lays there and drifts to sleep... he thinks about that woman. Maybe it was just a stressful day and he’s latching onto things that are nicer than his current situation. But... his mind refused to let it go.

The next morning was the same. Ashley screaming at him, gaslighting, and threatening. Beau took it like usual and walks out of the door ready for work and to stay late so she can have the extra money to move out.

He walks onto the subway train and leans back.

He looks over the small crowd of people- he sees her.

He tells himself he’s imagining things.

The odds of seeing her again on a city train are impossibly small.

And yet...

There she is.

The familiar silhouette catches his attention before he even realizes why he’s looking. She’s standing near the subway doors this time, one hand gripping the overhead rail as the train sways. The morning light doesn’t find her underground, but somehow she looks just as unforgettable.

His pulse quickens.

She’s there. He doesn’t dare approach her. Instead, he watches from where he stands, stealing glances whenever he thinks she won’t notice. The train screeches into the station.

The doors slide open.

Passengers spill onto the platform in a rush, and she’s carried with the flow. As she steps through the doorway, something small slips from her pocket without her noticing.

It lands softly on the train floor. She keeps walking. For a moment, Beau simply stares at it. Someone calls for the doors to hold. Another passenger steps around it without a second glance. Then the warning chime sounds.

His body moves before his thoughts can catch up. He bends down, picking up the small object in his hand, instantly slipping out the doors behind her. It’s an AirPod case. Beau looks for her and spots her in the crowd, immediately walking up.

He taps her, his stomach flopping around in his gut from anxiety and excitement. “You uh... you dropped this.” He says as she turns around, offering the case back.

A/N

Unfortunately, JAI seemed to be picky while I was uploading this and wouldn’t pass any of my pictures for moderation sigh, sorry about that!