The boy drops my wrist, but the cold imprint of his rings lingers on my skin. He shifts almost uncomfortably before he says, “I was wondering if you could give me directions to—”

I hold a hand up, cutting him off midsentence. He falters, but the way his brows are arched reeks of arrogance, as if he can’t believe I have the nerve to interrupt him.

What an asshole.

“Here’s a direction,” I say hoarsely, before pointedly lowering four of my fingers. “Get fucked, love.”

Then I turn around and walk away without another word. I can almost feel the heat of his glare on the back of my neck, but I couldn’t care less. I have a movie marathon to attend.

By the time I get to the train station and swipe my MetroCard, I’m shivering uncontrollably and considering a lawsuit against the boy from the rain. Screw that dude. Seriously.

A homeless guy sprawled out on one of the benches gives me a pitying look, confirming that I look like a wet rat.

I sigh, dropping five dollars into the jar beside him before walking down the platform, tugging off my jacket as I go. Even though the thick air in the subway is absolutely disgusting, at least I’m drier than I was outside.

God, I hate New York City. The weather is so shitty, strangers are so goddamn entitled, and the public transportation is never on time. Everything about this city drives me up the wall. The day I finally leave this place behind is going to be the happiest day of my life.

I stand there for a minute, dripping onto the platform, the heels of my palms digging into my eyes. No tears. Not today.

Just two more months. Just two more months.

“Ugh,” I say out loud, resisting the urge to text Rosie in a half-hysterical fit. Instead, I pull up Anam’s contact and say: pick the movie w/o me.

ANAM RAHMAN: shouldn’t you be here by now tho??

ME: I’m running late I’m sorryyyyy

ANAM RAHMAN: what happened to never being late !!!

ME: shut upppp I said I’m sorry ok just pick anything that DOESN’T have british actors!!! if I have to hear another british accent today I’m gonna lose my mind

I take a deep breath as the R train approaches and attempt to blow out the negative energy encasing my heart. I squirm into a packed car and ignore my phone buzzing against my thigh, since I don’t have the elbow room to text anyway.

ANAM RAHMAN: again??? wdym

ANAM RAHMAN: also how tf am I supposed to know if an actor is british or not

ANAM RAHMAN: apu I’m not googling every single actor in these movies

ANAM RAHMAN: WHY AREN’T YOU RESPONDING I’M SERIOUS I’M NOT GOOGLING THEM

ANAM RAHMAN: ok I’m googling them