• Streetlight Standup
    Short story by Erica Robinson


    At the bus stop. The clock on your watch just inched by 9:00pm, an hour after the initial time of the date. The streetlights began to flicker, almost in Morse code. It was dark, it was silent, and it was cold. Shivers were sent up your spine as you looked down both of the roads. To your right, it was empty; just the luminosity of the other streetlight in the distance. To your left, a lone figure stepped closer to you. It began to take shape, a guy. He was fairly tall, wearing a red hoodie with the hood up, and he had headphones on; the cords were going from his ear to his pocket, which dwelled his hands. He seemed relaxed. He was looking down, bobbing his head at a steady rhythm. To the music maybe? you didn’t know for sure, but your intuition suggested that much. In the moment you was analyzing him, he was already in the light. He looked a up at you, piercing you with his hazel eyes that peered into your soul. you was stuck, standing motionless. “so, how long have you been waiting for the bus?” he asked. He smiled a bit, still bobbing his head. He didn’t look like he was much older then you, but then again, you don’t look your age at all. you was old enough to be out that late by yourself, no doubt about that, but at your age, people get ideas. Ideas that are no longer stopped by the thought of going to jail for *****. you shook your head, sighing. “I’m not waiting for the bus. I was waiting for a ‘friend’.” you said. you had dipped your head down a bit when you said “friend”, not moving your chin. He got the picture, nodding. “what do you mean by ‘was’? Did something happen?” he asked. He slipped his head in his hooding, extracting the headphones from each ear. you looked angrily at the ground, head turned slightly away from the mysterious guy. “he… he stood me up. He was suppose to be here an hour ago.” you said. A rush of shame flew through your body, making it shake. You shake your head, smirking at the thought. “I guess I should of seen this coming.” you say. You don’t mean it though. Nothing he ever did or told you could of led you to this. The guy sighs sadly. “must be some sort of jerk. Leaving you at night alone. Did he call or something?” he asked. You clinch the cell phone in you hand. No words needed ot be said. The aura you were giving off was enough. On the inside, you were crying your eyes out, but on the outside, you were angry, tough. The guy steps closer. Putting his arm around your shoulder. Being in your bubble, your comfort zone wasn’t alarming. Usually, if a stranger gets that close, you’d move in an instant, but him… it felt right. And that confused you. “do… do I know you?” you ask, looking down. He chuckles to himself, shaking his head. He slowly lifts your chin up with his fingers. “no, but you can.” he said. And with that, he pressed his lips onto yours. A complete stranger was kissing you, and you didn’t falter. You’re not running, he’s not trying anything frisky. Just a moment that looked like you and him were lovers. And when you parted, staring into his eyes, lost again. You feel this warmth come over you, like you’re intoxicated with his presence. You sigh, looking up at him dreamily. “I don’t know you, yet I can’t get you out of my mind… doesn’t that happen to you often?” you ask. Feeling begins to leav your legs, making you sit on the bus stop bench in the little glass hut. He sits next to you, arm around your shoulders again. “ you have no idea. Sleep tight my Angel.” he said. And with that, he kissed your lips again, but alittle more intense. Your mind was set on hyper-drive as you try to catch random thoughts and woods. Nothing made sense. You began to breath hard, looking at your hands. “what… what’s happ-” “Shh my pretty Angel. You need your sleep.” he said. Your eyes began to fight to stay open. The last thing you remember is him, smiling so sweetly at you… with those hazel eyes.

    “At the sreetlight on Washington street, right? 8 surprised opm?” she asked. Across the counter, a guy was stacking container within each other. He set them down and leaned into the counter. “yes Sue. I’ll be there, I promise. Don’t worry my Pretty Little Angel.” he said. She smiled, placing her hand on her cheeks. They were burning up. “I… okay. I’ll see you there Jason.” she said. She began to wave as she stepped out the doors. She walked to her car, but her steps were different from her other ones. Usually, she’d step with a mono-toned thump, but now, she was almost skipping with excitement. “This is it!” she said to herself.