.:1:.
I ran down the streets of New York, my black-on-black high-top converses pounding on the sidewalk. A bead of sweat dripped down my head as Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Wizards in Winter” blared in my ears. Snow floated out of the sky and landed everywhere - on the sidewalk, the street, my red hair. The world was silent as it was only five forty-five in the morning. I had woken up at around five and gone out for a run, as I do every morning, only to remember that it was Saturday, and that no one would be up yet. Not liking the silence of the clear city, I had continued on, sticking earbuds in my ears and listening to my own music. As I turned onto my street, I slowed to a walk. The snow started falling faster, stinging my warm, numbing skin. I walked down the street, humming along to TSO, until I felt a hand on my shoulder and I spun around, swinging my arm out, only for it to be caught by an unfamiliar hand, a stinging feeling attacking my wrist.
“Watch it there,” a voice said. “You could hurt someone with that arm.” I look up at the perpetrator. It’s a boy - probably my age or a few years older - with curly blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes. My intense gaze remains as I jerk my arm away.
“Ever think maybe that’s the point when someone scares ya’?” I snapped. He threw his hands up in surrender. “What’s it to you, anyway?” He cocked his head to the side.
“Well, it’s just that most days I have to be up at this unnatural hour of the day, no one else is up,” he replied. “So, you live around here?” I scoffed.
“No, I ran here from Brooklyn,” I said, sarcastically. He smirked.
“So, I’ll take it you do,” he said. He looked up at the sky, then back at me. “So, what are you doing out so early?” My gaze softened. It’s too early in the morning to fight.
“Running,” I replied. “I wake up early every morning and run. I woke up this morning and realized that it was Saturday and that no one else would be out yet.” I smirked. “I guess I was mistaken.” He smiled.
“Benjamin Tyler Cook,” he said, sticking his hand out. “Ben.”
“Ben Cook?” I asked. “As in Newsies?” He nodded. A smile twitched at the corners of my mouth as I shook his hand. “Andi Faith F-” I stopped. “F-Faith.” I said. He smiled.
“Faith,” he repeated. He looked toward the direction I was running. “Hey, I’m heading this way anyway. Why don’t I walk with you?” I hesitated, but shrugged. We started walking down the street, and I saw him glancing at me out of the corner of my eye.
“So, Ben, why are you out this early?” I asked. He looked at me.
“For some twisted and cruel reason, we have a rehearsal today at the unearthly hour of six thirty.” I looked at him, confused.
“It’s five forty-five,” I said. He nodded.
“I like to get there a little early.” I raised my eyebrow.
“A little?” I asked. He nodded.
“Everyone else gets there early, too, so I get there earlier than them.” I nodded. “Have you been?” he asked. I shook my head. “You should. It’s a great show, and I would say that even if I wasn’t in it.” I laughed as a cold gust of wind blew through the air and I shivered. His face fell slightly and he touched my shoulder.
“What?” I asked.
“Why don’t you come inside for a second?” he asked. I shook my head.
“No, I-I couldn’t,” I replied. “I mean, I’m not supposed to be there right now, a-and my brother will be leaving soon, and if I’m not back before he leaves, he’ll freak out.” He smiled.
“You got a phone?” I nodded. “Well, you can text him and tell him you’re fine, you just got held up. Plus, we don’t want you to get lost when you come see Newsies, and I don’t want you to freeze out here.” I sighed. “How far away do you live?” I looked to my left, then my right.
“I live about . . . two miles . . . that way,” I said, pointing over the buildings on my right.
“Yeah, okay, you’re at least coming inside for a few minutes,” he said, grabbing my arm and dragging me towards the front door. “Maybe we can find a warmer jacket you can borrow.”
“When would I bring it back?” I asked.
“When you come see the show,” he said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
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