"So wait, you're leaving today, like right now?" Sharvi asks as we exit the spin studio. She takes a long swig from her water bottle. Enough time for me to relish how perfectly she looks immediately after an intense workout.

"Well, in another two hours. But yes, basically now." I tell her.

I just recapped to her the entire email, phone call, and subsequent panic attack from yesterday.

"Do you have time for a latte?" She asks, whipping her long pony over her shoulder.

"I look like a sweaty mess and need to shower before the train, but I can't say no to a latte," I smile.

"Or to me," she smirks.

We cross the corner to our coffee spot and I follow Sharvi inside. It smells like coffee beans and cinnamon sticks and all that's right with this time of year.

"Grab that table over there. I'll get the coffees," Sharvi says, nodding to a small two-top pushed against the front window.

"Deal."

I situate myself at the wooden table. It's quite cozy. A strand of fall foliage garland occupying the windowsill scratches my elbow.

A noti banner pops up on my phone reminding me to arrive at the train station 1 hour prior to boarding. I ignore it for now, instead checking my social pages to see that Sharvi's tagged me in her story.

"Here you go!" She says, reappearing and plopping a to-go cup on the table.

"My savior," I say, taking the cup.

"Okay, now that I have your attention," Sharvi begins. She sits down and leans in. "I need more details."

"Details." I nod. "What kind of details? I've told you all I know!"

"Where's this place at again? When were you back last? How long are you staying for?"

"Slow down." I take a sip of my coffee. "One. Pine Valley. Two. About 13 years ago? And three. I'm planning on staying for one week!" I hold up fingers as I count off my answers.

"Pine Valley. Sounds like a made-up place from one of those Christmas movies you love to watch," Sharvi teases.

"You're not wrong," I laugh. "And you love them too, thanks."

"And what do you have to do again? Just sign some boring paperwork and see the place or something?"

"I think. Yes." I look down. It's still hard to believe that it's all going to be mine. Even harder still is just imagining what I'm going to do with it!

"And you're staying a full week for that?" She asks.

"Well, I need to go through the entire house! Box it up, clean it up, and who knows what else! And like you said maybe a change of scenery will be good for me."

"Just don't forget we're going to the game next Sunday. You promised," she says warningly.

"Because you insisted," I remind her.

"Hey, Ben insisted. He wants you to meet his old roommate." Sharvi shrugs.

"Let me guess. Tall, skinny, white boy, ambiguously nerdy but still kind of cute?" I joke.

"Your exact genre of man," Sharvi laughs.

"Will I ever outgrow my Seth Cohen era?" I'm almost half way done my coffee.

"Why would you ever want to? Are you apprehensive about going back? Seeing it again?" She asks, obviously sensing my uneasiness.

"A bit. Sad, of course. But almost looking forward to it in a way. If that makes sense?" I shrug.

"It so does. And hey, I think it will be a nice getaway for you! A reset, maybe." Sharvi insists.

"Did I... need a reset?" I ask, narrowing my eyes in suspicion, but laughing.

"I didn't mean it like that. It's just –this time of year –you know. Could be a nice sort of you-time. Writer's retreat," Sharvi suggests.

"Hmm. We'll see."

"And who knows, maybe you'll meet a handsome prince or king or wizard in disguise," Sharvi laughs.

"A wizard in disguise. That would be unlikely," I laugh.

"But the price or king, totally doable," Sharvi agrees.

I leave Sharvi at the beanery, where Ben came to meet her for lunch. After a quick shower and one last glance around my apartment, I am downstairs and curbside waiting for my ride share to arrive.

It's a short 10-minute drive to the train station. Raul, my driver, hoists my duffle onto the sidewalk for me.

"Safe travels," he says.

"Thank you."

I lug my bag inside and find an empty spot next to my platform. I snag a matcha tea for the ride and wait to board. Thinking about what Sharvi said, I pull out my tablet and open my notes sheet where I keep all my running ideas for my novel.

In true Evie fashion, I stare idly at the screen, waiting for the perfect words to find me. It's hard to articulate the feeling that washes over me as I hear them announce boarding for Line 6 to Pine Valley. I gather myself up and duck onto the silver train.

"Welcome aboard," the ticket man greets us.

My hand almost shakes holding my tea as I shuffle down the aisle and find an empty seat. It's a cozy window seat beneath the radiator and my breath is already starting to fog up the window when the train springs to life beneath me.

I watch the cityscape deteriorate as the train snakes its way north. The buildings become fewer, the roads less crowded, and the terrain wilder. Halfway in, rolling green pastures and snowy-covered hills have completely replaced any signs of life.

I do start recognizing things –outlines of mountains and silhouettes of old dilapidated barns. Even some intersections look familiar; of course, I used to see them from the back seat of my mother's station wagon and not a speeding train.

4:15 PM

Only a half hour and the last two clusters of my pumpkin flax granola to go!

I stare out the window at the fields and mountains now completely painted white by snow. I can already feel the middle-of-nowhere vibes seeping into the train car. The mismatched rooftops of a snow globe town are just visible in the distance and every minute we get closer, the outlines become clearer.

"Last stop. We will be reaching the platform in three minutes. Please exit to your right. Thank you for traveling with us and welcome to Pine Valley." The voice on the intercom clicks off.

"Here we go," I whisper to myself.