Subways have always made me think of the video this group called Hanson made for a song called "Weird." I was never really what you could call a Hanson fan, but "Weird" stuck with me. I can actually remember the first time I heard it on the radio, which is pretty bad, since that was six years ago.

I first heard it on my 15th birthday. I have to admit, it wasn't the best birthday, and when I heard the song, it kind of made me think of my life. It was the only Hanson song that I can remember liking (Mmmbop was okay), and I bought the single. Smiling, I remembered that I had practically worn that single out.

I wondered often what had happened to that band. They were definately not a one hit wonder, and had released many, many songs after that. But, the oldest Hanson had gotten married almost a year ago, and supposedly his wife was expecting. So, Hanson had taken some "time off."

"One, please," I said to the man selling tickets for the train I needed to be on.

You've gotta stop living in the past, Hallie. That's all it is. The past.

I smirked to myself as the man handed me my ticket. The past. The past full of fun memories. Fun memories and "Weird." Oh well. I was leaving the past now, leaving that small town I had grown up in, and heading for New York City. Mom had been born there, and I had promised myself long ago that I would live there someday.

Picking up my brief case, I headed for the train, and found a window seat, a seat alone with no other people in it. Making myself comfortable for the ride, I layed my head back and shut my eyes.

When I opened them, I wasn't alone in the seat anymore. There was a man around my age sitting in the aisle one. I must have jumped when I saw him, because I sure got his attention.

"Sorry. Did I wake you?" he asked, smiling.

"No. A bump did," A little lie. Big deal. I was allowed to. I didn't really feel like talking, so I turned my head away.

"So, where are you traveling?"

Obviously didn't take the hint.

"I am moving to New York," I released the information with a sigh.

"Don't you want to go there?" Boy, wasn't he persistant?

"Yeah, I do."

"It's a great place. I've been there lots."

I nodded, "Where are you traveling from?"

"Oklahoma."

Oklahoma? There was something familiar about that state. A happy memory from my childhood. I couldn't place my finger on it, but I knew that I had never been there. Oh well.

"Is something wrong?" the man asked, shifting his position so that I got a good look at his face.

There was something familiar about it, too. Not so much the face, but the eyes. The prettiest blue. I had the oddest feeling of deja vu, as though I had seen those eyes before.

"Do I know you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't think so. What's your name?"

"Hallie Andrews," I said, slowly.

"I don't know any Andrews," he said, softly.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"Subways make me think of this one music video I saw as a kid."

"What one?" There was interest in his voice.

"Weird. Have you heard of it?"

The man smiled at me, "Yeah. Yeah, I have."

"It was my life story for awhile, you know. Never really fitting in, but pretending to? I practically wore out the single listening to it so much!" I laughed and so did he.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the screeching of the train coming to a stop cut him off. I noticed him take out a pen and something from his pocket, and I tried to see what it was. He noticed, and moved away. Before I had another chance, the train stopped, announcing where we were stopping.

"Well, I'm off," he said, extending his hand to shake mine. Quickly, he gathered his stuff and stood up, leaving me alone without a second glance.

I turned my head away from him to his seat. On it, there was a sheet of paper. I picked it up and called after him, "You forgot something!"

His was already gone. I sat there for a moment, clutching the paper, before looking at it. In small, even handwriting, it said,

I smiled and slipped the paper into my pocket. My stop was next.

edith_d_c@yahoo.com

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