where you need to be - a short(ish) story

Instructions

╔══════════════════╗ ⠀ ⠀where you need to be a short(ish) story ╚══════════════════╝ ✂ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - tw: one swear word Ophelia had never planned on standing out in the rain in the NYC streets, but there she was. Her wet blonde hair shined in the streetlights. Goosebumps appeared on her pale skin as she sat there freezing. After all, she was in nothing but a red dress and a cropped jean jacket. She waved her hand through the air, trying to catch the attention of the speeding taxi driver. He simply ignored her, revving his tires as he drove through a nearby puddle, drenching Ophelia in dirty street water. Ophelia heaved a sigh as she pulled out her phone. "2%. Great." Ophelia muttered under her breath. She shoved it back into her pocket and raised her hand to attempt to stop another taxi. This taxi, however, was going incredibly slow. It took a full minute to finally pull up to the curb. Ophelia yanked the door open and hopped inside. The cab began to drive immediately. Ophelia peeled off her soaked jacket and hung it on the back of the passenger's seat. "Take me to 27th Street please." Ophelia asked. The driver began to laugh. He turned to face Ophelia. He had light stubble on his face and brilliant brown eyes; he was a rather handsome man. "I don't think you understand the situation here Ophelia." He chuckled, shaking his head. "W-what do you mean?" Ophelia asked nervously, her voice shaking. "This is it," she thought. "I'm getting kidnapped." The man faced the windshield once again. "I'm not here to take you where you want to go, I'm here to take you to where you need to go." He explained. Ophelia closed her hand around her phone, opening it with her fingerprint. It was dead. "You can trust me Ophy." The man said gently. Ophelia winced, only one other person called her that; it didn't bring back great memories. But something about that specific nickname made her trust him. So, she leaned her head against the window and watched outside. She knew it probably wasn't a good idea to fall asleep in a taxi with a man she could barely trust, but she did anyways. When she awoke, the taxi was parked outside of an apartment complex. One that Ophelia had never seen before. "You awake sleepyhead?" The taxi driver teased. She yawned. "Is this the place?" she questioned. Next thing she knew, the taxi man was outside holding the cab door open for her. She got out and examined the building. It was a dark beige with brown roofing and white doors. A bit run down, but homey. "You're looking for apartment 48." The man stated. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "Good luck." He murmured. Ophelia tapped on the door of the apartment, her mind racing. She wondered who lived here that she apparently needed to see. She got a quick answer when a young man opened the door. His green-eyed gaze met hers. "Ophy?" He exclaimed. He seemed confused on why she was there. She looked him up and down with a shocked look. "Oh! Jett...it's uh...it's good to see you." She gasped. "You too you too..." he mumbled. There was an awkward silence, before Ophelia spoke up. "How long have you been living in NYC?" Jett played with a ring on his finger. "2 months." He replied. Ophelia stared at her shoes, feeling out of place. She heard Jett say something, but she couldn't tell what. "Huh?" she asked. "I waited for you. Y'know, back in Oklahoma. After you left." Ophelia flashed back to the day she left her hometown. Everyone was upset, but nobody had been as crushed as Jett. "Well, you know damn well that I couldn't stay after my parents..." she whispered, on the verge of tears. "Hey hey hey... it's okay Ophelia. We're here now, aren't we?" he whispered softly. She nodded. "So, have you been...seeing anyone since moving here?" he supposed. Ophelia laughed and shook her head. "Oh god no. I could never." she declared. Jett beamed. "So how does Friday night sound? I know a really good barbeque restaurant. It'll be like old times." Ophelia smiled and agreed. "Nothing would make me happier." The taxi sped through backroads, taking Ophelia home. As she stared out the window, she asked the man a long-wondered question. "Why did you take me there?" The man kept his eyes on the road. "A little birdy told me that you had to right a wrong." he answered. Ophelia gave him a puzzled look. The rest of the drive passed and soon enough, she was home. As she got out of the vehicle, she asked another question. "What's your name sir? And how did you know all of that stuff about me?" The man grinned. "Just think of me as the man who showed you where you need to be." And with that, he was gone. ✂ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -