monday, may 12th, around 6pm on the brooklyn bound L train

you: young dude, probably early 20s? long curly hair, a backpack, and a sparkling water bottle (i don’t think pellegrino, but same overpriced sparkle). also had a deeply grumpy face — like “don’t talk to me or i’ll hex you” energy. i think you had a backpack too.

me: looking like a trainwreck from shopping all day for my new job with a bunch of bags. black leggings, slides, and a white and green striped sweatshirt, hair in a messy bun.

you sat across from me on the train and then the guy next to you started SCREAMING p!nk. like, full concert. 20 minutes. tone-deaf. relentless. you and i made eye contact across the train like survivors. when the screamer got off, we exhaled in sync and started laughing. your SMILE!!!!! radiant. illegal. soul-shattering. your whole face lit up.

we talked and joked for a little bit. you said something like, “i was waiting for you to lose it on that guy,” and i ascended.

i got off first. i don’t know his name. or stop. but i can’t stop thinking about his face when he finally smiled.

please help!