Three Little Words: My Ex Boyfriend (planned)

The summer sun was still hot as it filtered down on the streets of Manhatten. It had been a while since Kealey had ventured into the heart of the city, and as always, she found it mildly overwhelming when compared to the relative seclusion of the Mansion.

She’d seen the streets from above a few times, courtesy of the person walking beside her, and Kealey gave Shin a quick grin as they walked. It almost looked like an ocean of cars, busses, bikes, and people. They moved as one if you looked long enough, but if you looked close enough they were all individuals. Each one had their own thoughts, feelings, agendas, and frustrations that they were dealing with as they made their way wherever the crossroads of the world was leading them. Kealey could feel them all.

The blonde’s comfort level with this was night and day from where it had been just a year before. It was almost amazing to think back that far and remember what it had been like to be in a crowd of people. It had been like a mosh-pit of emotion then…and Kealey had been almost constantly overwhelmed. Now, each person had their own little bubble. Their emotions still spilled over, but somehow the compartmentalization helped her not get so distracted. So did having someone with her.

Kealey looked to Shin and grinned again, when she’d announced that it was time for her to go into the city and sign up for classes she hadn’t even had to ask him to come along. Shin was good like that. Sometimes Kealey wondered if he wasn’t a little empathetic himself…he had a knack for knowing what she was feeling or what she needed.

As they walked, the blond noted a small café to the side of the road that specialized in smoothies and iced coffees. Registration lasted all day and it was still early. She slowed, ”All this walking and sun is making me thirsty. Want to stop and get a smoothie? My treat.”

There was a nice little outdoor area with tables and Kealey nodded towards them, ”We can even sit outside.”