Rewrite The Stars

Chapter 2

A cab was almost impossible to find at that time of the night. But I finally managed to get on one and get myself to the train station. On my way, I decided to call Lauren, even though it was three in the morning.

     “Zoe?” she answered with a groan. “What could possibly be important enough to wake me up at this hour–?”

     “–I'm coming to New York. As in, right now.”

     “What!?”

     “I left home.”

     “But you said your parents wouldn't agree–”

     “–They have no clue.”

     There were long moments of silence. Lauren was probably waiting for me to shout 'April's Fool!' but it never came.

     “Are you serious?” she asked quietly, still unsure of the whole situation.

     “Yeah.”

     “Oh, my God...”

     “I know it sounds crazy–”

     “–Crazy doesn't even begin with it!” she replied angrily, still shocked. “This is insane, Zoe! Even someone like you must realize that this is too far–!”

     “–Lauren, listen.” I started. “I'm begging you to be with me on this–”

     “–No way!”

     “Please!” I begged. “I couldn't take it anymore! First my grandmother died, then you left, then my parents got into a fight and are now getting a divorce, then Liam left me because he found out he was gay after we lost our virginities to each other, and now I'm the center of laughter at school! Just to make matters worse, my parents said they don’t want me to take this path! I couldn't take it anymore! Please, I'm begging you to understand.”

     “I understand, but–”

     “–No but!” I sighed as she fell silent. “All I'm asking you is to give me a place to crash in your dorm for two months until my live audition, then I’ll return back home. I really need your help, Lauren.”

     She was silent for a few seconds, considering it. “Fine.” She said at last with a sigh.

     “Thank you.”

     “But it's your responsibility if you get either of us in trouble! You hear me, Zoe Coleman!?”

     “Yes! Yes! Thanks, Lau! You're my savior!” I laughed in happiness. “I love you so much!”

     “Me too, you crazy.” She said. “Now go and let me sleep. I regret this already. I really hope that I wake up the next morning, finding out that this s**t was only a nightmare.”

     “Well, it's not. It's as real as you can get.” 

     “Bye, Zoe.”

     “Bye.” And she hung up.

    This was going to be a long night.

***

When I finally got to the train station, I was quick to find my way through. “I was wondering if you had any tickets to New York?” I asked the lady standing behind the desk in her neat uniform. “When does the first train leave?”

     The woman took a quick scan at her computer before giving me a polite smile and saying, “The first leaves at six in the morning.” I couldn’t believe my ears. That was perfect. I only had two hours to wait and it would only take an hour to get to New York from New Jersey.  

    Two hours passed longer than I had hoped for. I didn't dare to sleep. I was afraid of waking up back at home and no longer have the courage to leave my old life behind again. The entire time that I had my headphones on, I only listened to one song and replayed it again and again. The song was called I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz. It was the song I had planned on auditioning with. I listened to it and imagined and pictured every move that I had practiced with it.

     But finally, the waiting came to an end and they called for the New Jersey to New York passengers. Walking through the train, I saw that almost every seat was taken. So I neared the first free seat that I sighted from afar.

     When I reached it, I saw a boy around my age, sitting next to the window. He had his headphones on and his head was resting on his palm as he was lost in the world behind the window, staring at nowhere.

    On his lap laid an orange book that I tried to catch the name of, but shook my head before clearing my throat to grab his attention. He didn't even move and I gathered the sound of his music was too loud for him to hear me.

    So sighing, I leaned down and gently tapped on his shoulder. I guess he wasn't expecting that at all, seeing as he jumped off his seat, quickly taking his headphones off, and his book falling off his lap from shock.

    “Shoot, sorry.” I said as he stared at me with wide eyes. “I didn't mean to scare you, or anything.”

    He then shook his head to shake the matter off and gave me a smile.

    He was almost my height, and if anything, even skinnier than I was. Or at least skinnier than what a boy should be. He had messy brown hair and aesthetic green eyes. Just like the curious person I was, I quickly looked him up and down. He was wearing black pants and a grey T-shirt with the word 'Heaven' written on it in black.

     There was this short awkward moment that we both looked into each other's eyes in silence, before he said a sentence which I never expected to hear in my life, let alone from a guy I’d never met,

    “You have stars in your eyes.” He said with a goofy grin playing on his lips.

    “What?” My eyes widened and he quickly shook his head.

    “I'm... sorry. That was a weird thing to say.” He looked away and I laughed at his goofiness.

    “Your book.” I pointed at it as it laid on the floor.

    “Oh, right. Sorry.” He bent down and picked it up, sitting down again.

    “Is this seat taken?” I asked, pointing at the seat beside him.

    “No, no.” He smiled again, moving his jacket as a gesture for me to sit down, and so I did.

    I waited for him to introduce himself, but when he started putting his headphones back on again, I realized that he wasn't planning on doing it, so I beat him into that.

    “I'm Zoe Coleman, by the way.” I said, smiling and raising my hand for him to shake. The boy put down his phone and his book on his lap before taking my hand and shaking it.

    “I'm Zach.” He said. “Zach Walter.”