An Alpha's stepdaughter; fate or free choice

Chapter 2: The train station

I better hurry or I'll miss my train. Dammit, if that happens, I'll be late for work. I bet Janice would love that. She's not bad as a supervisor, but sometimes we rub each other the wrong way. The school bell just rang, and I've got my backpack and everything for tomorrow's test. If I run, I can still make my train and I'll have some time to read over my notes. It's Monday, thankfully, so the diner shouldn't be too busy tonight.

I reach the train station and make it onto the platform just in time, as my train arrives and the doors swish open. I head towards a seat in the back and plop down onto the faded upholstery. I take out my phone to check our online agenda, just to arrange my thoughts and figure out my study requirements. It’s going to be an open-book test. Biology is my favourite subject because I find it so interesting. I will have to check the chapters and make sure I know where to find all the answers. Okidoki, I feel a little more at ease now.

It’s November, and it’s cold outside. No wonder..., I live in the Great White North. I was rushing to catch my train, but now that I’m seated, I feel my cheeks flush and my bob hair falls annoyingly in my face while I try to untangle the scarf from around my neck. I’ll keep my coat on since I’ll be getting off at my stop soon. Phew, my breathing has returned to normal. What a workout. I smile to myself, thinking, I’ll never get too chubby if I continue living on the edge like this. Running from point A to point B. At the same time, I cringe internally, feeling like this is about as exciting as my life will get.

I hear the driver announce the next stop, and I get my stuff ready, throwing my scarf around my already warm neck, just loosely this time. As I get up from my seat, I feel this heavy, sizzling presence around me. It’s a good feeling, overall. I feel rather excited, exhilarated even, like the air around me has instantly come to life and it’s reacting to my skin. Do other people feel like this from time to time? Have I been missing something? How strange. I smile involuntarily and look up and around me. There are a few people on the train with me, but nobody in my close vicinity pays me any special attention. What is this feeling? I look over the people again, trying to decipher what is going on. I hold onto the railings, then carefully and tentatively step out of the train. I turn around, still in a daze, and see a man in a dark hoody, quickly staring down into his lap. Was he looking at me? Nah, I doubt it. All I saw were two light grey eyes under a dark hoodie. Nothing more. I didn’t even catch his smile or face, just those eyes. Those beautiful smiling eyes.

Uhm, earth to Dahnya. Okidoki, let’s get this show on the road. I walk the two blocks to the diner. I’m on time, thank goodness. The delicious smell of garlic hits me as I greet everyone and head into the back to get rid of my backpack and outerwear. I wash my hands and put on my apron. As I head out, Janice tilts her head in the direction of my section. I know, I know, I have to wipe down all the tables and make sure all the salt and pepper shakers are clean and filled. I get to work immediately. When I’m done, I wipe down the menus too.

I feel that same delightful, exhilarating jolt of electricity again. What is happening to me? I smile, and I look up and around, but I don’t see anybody. The door closes softly and I see a man in a dark hoodie walking on the sidewalk, or did I imagine that? I must be tired. Come to think of it, I own a few dark hoodies myself, who doesn’t own a dark hoodie? The feeling slowly subsides and I get on with my tasks. All the while thinking about those grey, smiling eyes.

A few of my regular customers seat themselves in my section. It’s Italian night, and these folks have come for our pasta alfredo. I greet them with a genuine smile and take their orders, and do the same as more people come inside to enjoy our delicious food. The place soon fills up somewhat, not too shabby for a Monday night. We’re busy, but not overly busy. I smile again; just busy enough to make this evening pass by quickly.

“Bye guys!” It’s closing time. I’ve cleaned my section, vacuumed under the chairs and tables, and am heading out at 10 pm sharp, leaving Janice and our head cook to close. “Bye Dahnya! Be safe.” I’ll catch my train at 10:12. As I’m walking towards the station, I start to feel that same tingling sensation. I don’t feel scared or awkward, but why do I feel so warm and giddy all of a sudden? Am I finally losing my s**t? I actually snort as a laugh escapes my mouth. I reach the platform just as my train arrives. I hop on and take a seat in the back. It’s been a long day, and I’m planning on studying for just an hour when I get home, after I shower, of course.

This tingling, however, has not subsided. Have I accidentally ingested some sort of drug? I don’t even enjoy alcohol, so what could be the matter with me? I know I've had more than enough to eat today. I had breakfast, my usual lunch at school, consisting of a sandwich and an apple, and I had a coffee at the diner and some cheesy garlic bread and pasta during my break. All in all, more than enough food to sustain me on my uneventful Monday. Anyway, if I'm not hungry, drunk or drugged, then what is wrong with me? And, if this is what it feels like to be buzzed after a drink or two, then I might have some experimenting to do. Or, am I just tired?

My stop is next, so I gather my things and swing my scarf back around my warm neck. They really overdo it with the heating on these trains. I’m still feeling that delightful, warm buzz. Very strange, indeed. The driver announces my stop and I hop off. It’s dark, but the streetlights do their job. Although my bus should arrive in about 20 minutes, I’m in an inexplicably good mood and decide I’ll just walk home instead. It’s only a 10-minute walk, after all. Off I go, in the direction of the pedestrian bridge over the train station. I live just one street further. I’m on the bridge, my house is not within seeing distance from here, but the walk is not long.

It’s very cold outside. Minus 7 degrees Celsius. But having lived here all my life, I’m okay with it. One must be dressed for the elements. Thick gloves, a thick scarf, and a decent coat. No fooling around, just dress the way you’re supposed to dress and the cold won’t bother you as much. I’m wearing jeans though, and I know my thighs will be red from the cold wind when I get home, as I hate thermal underwear. I can deal with it, luckily, my neck still feels nice and warm from the heating on the train and my boots are lined, keeping my toes nice and toasty. Head down, I continue towards our house.

I still feel this tingling. I am alone, there’s nobody within sight. I don’t feel scared. I am not sure what this is all about. Perhaps, I should have my blood sugar tested. That might be it. Who knows, I’m not a nurse.

I see my dad’s car in the driveway, and the kitchen lights are on. Ugh, I don’t feel like getting my keys out of my backpack, so I just grab our emergency key that’s hidden in the flowerpot. It’s well-hidden, but I know exactly how to find it on the first try. I unlock the front door, quickly put the key back, take off my shoes, and head inside. “Hi daddy, I’m home!” From the sound of the water, I know Dad is still in the shower. He works the afternoon/evening shift, so he gets home around 10:30 pm. He works on the opposite side of town, so I take the train and we arrive home at roughly the same time.

“Hi, baby girl. How was school, and work?” I hug my dad and smile at him, “I had a great day, dad, considering it was Monday and all. No complaints.” I set my backpack aside, take out my lunchbox and water bottle, pack the dishwasher and turn it on. I head to my room and get ready for my shower. I’m still smiling like a freak while the hot water runs down my body. Why do I feel so happy, and on a Monday of all days? I wash my hair as I’m sure it smells like garlic and Italian spices. I blow dry it slightly, not to look pretty for bedtime, duh, but so I don’t wet my pillow later. I make myself a cup of tea and say goodnight to my dad. I’m planning on studying for just a little while if I can manage to focus on biology for longer than two seconds.

In my bedroom, I take out my books and the notes from class and go over everything for our open-book test. I still feel this tingling, buzzing sensation, but I also feel like someone’s watching me. Not in the creepy, stalker kind of way. I decide to look out my window. The blinds are drawn, but I lift them carefully to peek out. There’s nothing there, and nobody’s staring at me. My hormones must be getting the better of me, as, for some reason, I keep imagining those smiling grey eyes. I don’t even have a face to match them to. Don't be ridiculous, I actually snort as I laugh. How bizarre can one’s imagination be? Dahnya, get a grip, girl.

It’s time to call it a day. I take my teacup to the kitchen, get into bed and turn off my bedside lamp. I meditate for a few minutes and will myself to feel tired instead of this strange state of giddiness. Not long after my head hits the pillow, I fall into a blissful, dream-filled sleep. I dream of a snow-covered mountain, the smell of evergreen trees and the freshest air. I'm walking on a path between the trees, but I don’t feel cold. I feel warm, content, and slightly turned on. I'm also panting, for some reason, like I've been running. I am alone, yet I don’t feel alone at all. I’m beaming, in search of those smiling grey eyes. I follow a set of prints in the snow. Dog, maybe. They would have to be from a massive dog. Perhaps, someone around here has a large mastiff. In my dreamy state, I feel strong, masculine arms wrap around me from behind, and I feel safe and warm, and tingly...