Someone said they'd pay me for a part two

so disclaimer, i'm writing this in one night, with no plot in mind while listening to Beetlejuice soundtrack

•••

The 2am train hasn't been empty in a while.

As holiday season hits, people need more money. To get more money, people take on extra shifts. So my carriage is full of tired family men who just think, "hey, it'll all be worth it on Christmas Day"

Someone should break it to them that it'll never be worth it.

They loosen their tight tie knot, slouching as they sip their black coffee. Their receding hairlines and tired eyes stare up at the grimy carriage ceiling. About seventeen of them each night. I gotta tell ya, they make AWFUL company. I can't believe I spent like two weeks trying to talk to these various Pauls and Teds. They just glaze over as they think about tax returns and the last time they had sex (and that was ages ago).

What felt like years of their dead company- when it actually was only a month, they all vanish. Why? Because it's Christmas Eve, babe, IIIIIIIIN THE DRUNK TANK- sorry sorry, I'm just very festive. So when I finally get on the train, it's how it should be. Empty.

The train judders to life. I'm right where I should be. Looking out the window at the falling snow. It quickly falls diagonally as the train speeds by. The city is black, making a blank backdrop for the white snowflakes. It's cold as shit on this unheated train, so I pull my red hoodie closer around me.

I pop my discount earplugs into my ears, my shaking hand opening Spotify. Okay. Moment of truth. Normal songs, or musicals? Radio Company or Book Of Mormon? The 1975 or Beetlejuice? Pillowqueens or Heathers? God I have way too many playlists. I'll just go with Christmas songs.

Shuffle. Sit back. Relax.

It's coming on Christmas
They're cutting down trees

Yes. Ben Platt. Perfect.

They're putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace

I sink into the poorly padded seat, closing my eyes. I try to fall away into my daydreams with help from my body heat.

But I can't. This worm of a thought keeps wiggling into my head. A worm of fear, and dread. This little Wiggly makes itself at home, and jerks off to telling me bad bad things. It's gonna get worse, Micheal. You're wasting your time and your life on this train, Micheal. You could be making something of yourself, Micheal, but you're throwing away your shot. And all of this is because of that stupid basket case. He's never gonna get better, Micheal. He's never gonna get better.

Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

But it's just a little Wiggly. I don't listen to that guy. I totally don't. It's just hard to expel all that when you're alone.

But it don't snow here
It stays pretty green
I'm going to make a lot of money
Then I'm going to quit this crazy scene

Wait. I'm not alone.

Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh, I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

The compartment door slides open. A person clad in the thickest coat I have ever seen is in my carriage. They close the door, noticeably shivering.

I made my baby cry
He tried hard to help me
You know, he put me at ease
And he loved me so naughty
Made me weak in the knees

I watch them turn around, their face covered in a scarf and a fluffy hood. Oh shit they're looking stop staring you creep. My eyes drop down to the little table in front of me, wide in embarrassment.

Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on
I'm so hard to handle
I'm selfish and I'm sad
Now I've gone and lost the best baby
That I ever had

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see them taking off their coat. Look down. Look down. Don't look them in the eye. I look down at my hands, which are covered by my long hoodie sleeves. Something taps on my shoulder.

Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

"Micheal?"

Oh I wish I had a river so long
I would teach my feet to fly
Oh I wish I had a river
I could skate away on

I look up to see bright round eyes looking back at me. A familiar smiling face shines at me. I pull my earplug from my ear.

I made my baby say goodbyeIt's coming on Christmas-

"Jeremy? No way man!"

It's been, well, forever since I've seen this guy! After calming his nerves on the train, we spent the whole journey laughing and causally chatting. He told me he'd see me soon. But he hasn't been on the train since. Until, now, two months later. Jeremy shakes off his giant coat, snow falling off it onto the floor.

"Damn man, it's been a while. What brings you back to the midnight train? Holy shit on Christmas Eve too"

Jeremy shrugs, folding his coat over his arm. "I have my reasons. Hey- it okay if I sit?"

I gesture to the seat opposite me, which Jeremy takes.

"But really- if you don't mind me asking, why you taking this train? I don't mean to pry, it's just not a lot of people take this train. Let alone on Christmas Eve" I ask.

Jeremy takes a deep breath.

"My, uh, my friend Christine lives in the city- she's a huge theatre nerd. She's in shows sometimes, and always insists we have an afterparty at her apartment after. It goes on so long, that is the only train available"

"Oh cool" I fidget with the hem of my sleeves, my eyes never leaving Jeremy. The way he talks about this Christine girl, it's precious. His whole face lights up, like he could talk about her forever.

"Christine, is she your girlfriend?" I ask as nonchalantly as I can.

Jeremy looks at me like I just said that Keanu Reeves is a bad person.

"Oh no. No no no no no. No she's just a friend. She's not really my- uh, preference anyways"

"Oh. OH" Jermeys gay. Thank chuck. i chuckle at the weird look of fear on his face. "Don't worry man. Me too"

I tap the pride patch on my hoodie sleeve, and Jeremy instantly relaxes.

"That's cool man" he smiles. "That's super cool."

We fall into silence for a minute, my heart tugging. God I hate silence.

"Uh so what show was Christine in?" I ask, a weak attempt at conversation.

"She was playing Frenchy in Grease. And she was actually really good"

A snort escapes my throat, and I slap my hand over my mouth to try cover it up.

"What?" Jeremy asks. "What's so funny?"

"Sorry sorry. It's just-" I snort again. "You're taking the 2am train, on Christmas Eve, for Grease"

Jeremy opens his mouth, like he's going to question my laughter. But he stops himself, dismissing it.

"Alright then. What about you, what brings you on the train?" He asks.

I feel a tug. Shit. I should've known that he'd ask it back. I fell right into my own fucking trap. Jeremy must notice my reaction, cause he quickly backpedals.

"Sorry it's non of my business I shouldn't've asked just pretend I said nothing"

"No, no. It's fine. It's just not, um, it's not something I like to take about" I mumble.

We drown into silence again. I stare down at the stitching of my hoodie. I feel Jeremys eyes on me. My earplug falls into my view, the music still falling from it.

Wordless, I hold out an earbud to the boy opposite me. I never lift my eyes. When nothing happens, I shake my hand, signalling for him to take it. And he does. I take the other one, popping it in my own ear.

It's Christmastime, there's no need to be afraid
At Christmastime, we let in light and we banish shade

"I'm still sorry for asking" Jeremy says.

I look up with a chuckle. My eyes meet his dazzling ones.

"Don't worry about it man"

And in our world of plenty we can spread a smile of joy
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime

But say a prayer, Pray for the other ones
At Christmastime it's hard, but when you're having fun

I reach my hand across the table. Jeremy stares at in confusion.

There's a world outside your window
And it's a world of dread and fear

"Take it, dumbass" I smile. And he does.

Where the only water flowing

I slide out from my seat, pulling Jeremy along with me.

Is the bitter sting of tears

We stand in the aisle of the empty train compartment. Cities and skylines whizz past us. I take his other hand, and place it on my shoulder. My hand finds his waist.

And the Christmas bells that ring there are the clanging chimes of doom
Well tonight thank God it's them instead of you

"This okay?" I ask

And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime
The greatest gift they'll get this year is life

Jeremy smiles the most beautiful grin back at me.

"Yeah. This is very okay"

Where nothing ever grows
No rain nor rivers flow

We sway side and side to the music. This is the moment where I realise that neither of us know how to dance.

Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
Here's to you
Raise a glass for everyone
Spare a thought this yuletide for the deprived
If the table was turned would you survive

I try spinning Jeremy around, which makes him laugh. And also gets him tangled in the earplugs chords.

Here's to them
Underneath that burning sun
You ain't gotta feel guilt just selfless
Give a little help to the helpless

We untangle him poorly, leaving a huge knot in my earplugs. But I don't care. In this moment, all I care about is the beautiful boy I'm dancing with.

Do they know it's Christmastime at all?
Feed the world
Let them know it's Christmas time again

As the chorus in our ears starts to fade, a smile creeps across my face. We still dance to the music gently, in a perfect state of euphoria. A thought pops into my head, and I chuckle.

"It's past midnight"

"Wow great observation"

"That means it's Christmas"

Jermey laughs. 'Well, Happy Holidays, Micheal Mell"

I swallow a lump on my throat, and lean my head forward. I capture his lips in a kiss. It's hesitant, sure, but I'm scared that he's gonna turn around and punch me in the face. But he doesn't. All my worries melt away like the snow outside, when he kisses back. I pull back from the five second kiss, my cheeks flushed and a smile plastered across my face.

"Happy Holidays Jeremy Heere"

This time, when Jeremy gets off at his stop and says "I'll see you soon", that Wiggly worm takes control on my tongue.

"You mean it this time?" I ask before I can stop myself.

Jeremy looks to me, slipping his coat on his shoulders. He slides out from his seat opposite me, and quickly leans over to give me a chaste kiss.

"I promise. I'll be seeing you very soon" he smiles.

Merry Christmas to me. Merry Christmas to me indeed.

•••
High five, me. You did great.
Hope you guys enjoyed this part! There's definitely gonna be a part 3 by the way

I know it's too early for Christmas but I'm wayyy to excited

Now do your homework

- Avery