Thea

The subway is extremely warm. The air is almost wet with humidity below ground. I thought that cool air sinks so technically it should be cooler down there but maybe with all the machinery it isn't. I'm not sure.

The ride isn't all that bad. The rat population seems to have decreased since the last movie I watched involving a subway in New York City and Ellis seems perfectly happy just holding my hand in silence.

"What are your plans?" I ask as the subway car comes to a halt at our stop.

"For the night?" He asks.

"For your life."

"I'm leaving for Europe in, like, a day," he says leading me up the cement staircase that looks exactly like the one we took coming down. I wonder how to knows exactly where we are and how Blake was able to figure out everything only moving here a year ago.

My eyes widen, "Europe? Wow. Why?"

"I'm going there for culinary school," he says.

"Wait was the going away party for you?"

He nods and I can't help but laugh so hard I snort, again. That makes him laugh so hard we stop moving up the stairs to catch our breath.

"I stole you away from your own party."

"I think I stole you," he smirks.

"Details, Ellis, details," I smile.

We walk the rest of the way up the stairs and I realize how badly I need to start working out because I'm out of breath and sort of sweaty.

I'm glad I already pulled my hair up or it would be a frizzy, sweaty mess and Ellis still looks perfect. Wavy hair and not a wrinkle on his button up.

When we reach the top of the stairs I am absolutely amazed. This is why people come to New York.

This is what all of the fuss is about. The buzz of people, the lights that seem so much brighter here, the movement of traffic, the billboards and buildings. It's midnight and everything is still so very much alive.

"Wow," I breath out and can't stop looking all over at every thing.

"I told you I still had to guide you," he smiles and his eyes shine bright than the neon signs.

"Times Square?" I ask.

"Yup, not really a place I frequent. But I figured for your first tour you needed to see it."

"Thank you," I say taking his hand again.

He pulls me into the middle of the crowd and tells me to look up and there we all are on an electric billboard that spans across the length of a building. I wave and watch the tiny version of me on the screen wave too.

It's incredible and crazy, and so freaking beautiful.

"Why wouldn't you spend time here?"

"Tourists," he laughs and looks around at the all the people who have their selfiesticks and cellphones taking picture after picture. I almost want to too but decide I'd rather live it.

"You know how they say this is the city that never sleeps?" Ellis asks.

I nod and wait for him to continue as I watch someone dressed as Elmo approach a person dressed as Captain America. I laugh when they give each other a high five.

"I'll show you what I mean later," He smiles and we take off through the crowd maneuvering in and out of the people holding out their phones, yelling for taxis, and running with the crowds across the streets.

I feel alive and free and like this could be a night I will never forget with someone I feel like I've known forever.

"I have an idea," I say as I catch my breath after we come to halt in a less crowded part of the city.

I look up and see bright signs displaying all the broadway shows that have long let their doors close for the evening. It's magical even while empty.

"What?"

"We can ask each other anything and we have to answer honestly. One question for every hour we spend together."

Ellis' blue eyes stare into mine as he thinks about what I just offered, "why does it matter? We have one night together. Let's make it count. Deal?" I ask sticking my hand out.

We shake hands, "deal."

Let the night (morning) begin.

**Three chapters to start then I'm going to try to post at least once a week if not twice.

Please vote and comment :)

-Brooke