It was a saturday,an unseasonably cold day in the middle of March. The sky was blanketed by a thin layer of gray clouds which would every once and awhile trickle down some small raindrops that dampened the vacant streets. The smell of gasoline and smoke hung in the air as I walked the lonely streets of New York City. The city is wonderful,it really is, but it sure gets lonely as hell sometimes. I longed for a friend, someone who could talk to me about how much of an ass their boss is or how the vendor on the corner of 35th street sells the best hot dogs. Sure I had family and friends back home in Toronto, but ever since I have been transferred to the Big Apple for business purposes I haven't heard much of them at all.I tried not to let it bother me, and it honestly didn't for the most part. New York provided a brand new start and that was the one thing I longed for and wanted the most and it would have been foolish of me not to move his given the opportunity. Days like this I craved a friend.

"Whatever" I thought to myself as I shrugged it off this sinking feeling and kept walking. I don't know what was in me but i just felt the need to walk,I didn't know where i was going or for how long, but my legs moved me towards something I was yet unaware of. I walked with my head down, looking at everybody's shoes that passed by.They always said you could tell a lot about a person by their shoes and that is damn well true. Sneakers,Heels,Boots,Mocosins and more filled the sidewalks and I looked at them all.My pace picked up,eyes set on the concrete of the sidewalk looking at the shoes of every person passing by. That was until I felt a body bump into mine.I got a good look at his shoes before we collided into each other, were black and loafer like;worn but not too deteriorated .

"Sorry" the person said softly. His voice was smokey and soft-spoked, it sounded silky smooth and cultured.

"It's okay, my fault. I'm sorry" I managed to spit out as lifted my head to meet this stranger I've already gone too close with.The stranger was tall and his figure was thick, he wore a black jacket and a black messenger bag that rested gently on his broad shoulders.He had short striking jet-black hair that contrasted ever so nicely to the creamy pale porcelain skin that lined his round yet structured face. His lips were small and soft, like two rose petals brushing together with every move his mouth made. His nose was small and defined yet in a sense pixie like, like no one's i've ever seen before.However with all of these beautiful features he had the thing that caught my attention the most were his beautiful striking hazel eyes. They had an undefinable sparkle to them. Alluring and gentle, with a touch of mischief. Behind those eyes lied an adventure,an adventure i knew i must take.

"Gerard" he said softly, reaching out his hand for me to shake.

"Emma" I replied as I took his delicate pale hand.

We both let out a nervous laugh, I could tell he was just as good at social situations as I was. I knew I must say something, i was not letting him slip through my fingers. He was mysterious and interesting, it made my desire to talk to him that much greater. There was something about this Gerard guy that I couldn't shake.

"So. Do you live here?" I blurted out hoping this would spark more than just a simple confrontation.

"No, i live in New Jersey. North Jersey,not too far at all really. I commute here everyday for work though, so it feels like I do." he responded with a smile

"Oh! That must be hard, commuting everyday. Where do you work?" I questioned, genuinely interested in anything he had to say.

"It get's tough sometimes but you gotta do what you got to do. I'm an intern up at the Turner Studios for Cartoon Network." he replied nonchalantly.

"That's awesome!" I stated looking into his glimmering hazel eyes.

"What about you? How about we walk together.You know... if you want. I've got time to spare." he shyly rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah of course, i've got nowhere to go! As for me I do live here, I'm a proud owner of a dumpy apartment up in Manhattan. Unfortunately my job isn't nearly as cool as yours though.. I'm just a boring secretary for a company called Fuji Bank in Twin Tower 2."

"You don't strike me as a secretary type." he said as we started to walk down 59th, heading towards Central Park. "I mean, you look pretty young."

I laughed, he was right though. Most of my co-workers were quite older than me, I guess I was young for my job

"I'm 23."

"See you are pretty young!" he said letting out the best smile i've yet to see break out across his face.

"I guess you can say that.What about you Mr.CartoonNetwork? How old are you?" I teased, warming up to his oddly comforting presence.

"24." he said simply, taking a seat at a small wooden bench. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a box of cigarettes."I'm sorry,You don't mind do you?" he asked stopping in the middle of pulling a single cigarette out.

I shook my head and he continued "I like to come here to draw sometimes. Not other people really because i kind of find that creepy and I know for sure I would not want some random fat dude like me to be drawing a picture of me without my consent if I were them." He said letting out a puff of smoke through his mouth. I've never seen someone look so good with a cigarette in between their fingers.

"You're not fat..." I replied shyly, staring at the corners of his mouth as it raised to a genuine smile."Anyway,What do you draw?"

"Anything really. I'm currently working on a project called the Breakfast Monkey to show to Cartoon Network. So I've been drawing a lot of that lately.The best part is he doesn't even look like a monkey." he said letting out a small charming laugh that made it impossible for me not to smile. I looked down at the ground to break the constant stare I had on him. My eyes locked on him comfortably and i couldn't help it. I hope he didn't mind.

"Hello?

Earth to Emma...

Hello? You're phone is ringing you know?" he said moving his hand infront of my face to get my attention.

"Oh jeez, sorry." I said scrambling to find the phone that always seemed to disappear in my pocket when someone actually called.

"Hello?"

"Emma, it's Victoria. Um I wish I didn't have to call you to tell you this but um your bathtub is flooding our apartment again." she said frantically.

"Fuck. I'll be right there." I said closing the phone in a rush.

"Everything alright?" Gerard asked curiously.

"Uh yeah. My neighbors below my apartment just called to tell me that my tub is flooded or something and is making their ceiling leak. This is not the first time this has happened, and that's the sad part." I said I let nervous laugh. "I'm really sorry i have to go. Trust me I would pick you over a flooded apartment anyday."

"I'm glad to hear that. Thanks." He smiled and let out yet another soft giggle. "I feel bad though, do you need me to help, should i walk you there?"

"No it'll be okay, thank you for asking I really appreciate that." I replied gratefully. I really would've liked to bring him back to help me, but I was far too ashamed my apartment housing. It was disheveled and disgusting, I didn't want to bring my new friend to somewhere like that.

"I say we do this again. Here is my phone number, call me whenever. It's my landline home phone since i'm not as fancy as you to have a cell phone yet. but if I don't answer leave a message and I will return it as soon as I can." he said scribbling his 10 digits on a small piece of drawing paper he pulled from his pockets.

"I sure will, Bye Gerard" I added starting to back away from his beautiful form

"Bye, Emma" he smirked waving me goodbye as I turned to face the conditions of my not-so-great apartment.

Notes

There has to be like a million mistakes but whatever.
Please tell me what you think!!!