"Subway Series" *Beauty Edition*

I hate people. I especially hate people who stare.


It’s not particularly crowded on the platform. My “Soul” playlist is playing and I’m feeling quite mellow. Dwele, D’Angelo, Bilal, Jill Scott, etc sing into my ears I don’t even realize I’ve been waiting almost 20 minutes before a train arrives. It finally does and the commuters board. I slide into a seat. I’m not sleepy but the music has wrapped its arms around me and I feel as if I’m floating. There’s just something about soul music that does this to me and it’s a welcomed feeling.

The sounds of drums and bass fill my ears as D’Angelo’s melodious voice sings, “Send it on back to you”. My eyes open slowly as the train comes to a stop and more commuters enter. My mouth opens slightly with surprise as a woman walks on. She is by far one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen in my life. Her skin was like the color of honey and looked as smooth. She wore no make up and her skin was flawless. Atop her head, to the naked eye, sat what appeared a careless hump..but to me it looked like a carefully quaffed crown of her glorious locks. She wasn’t dressed spectacularly. She simply wore a tee shirt and jeans. I couldn’t stop looking at her.

I felt my face flush as I realized three songs had passed and I was still staring. I really had never seen such a natural beauty just riding the train on a weekday afternoon. I was amazed. I looked away but continued to steal glances. She noticed. She didn’t exactly roll her eyes but I could tell she was thinking “What the hell?”

I wanted to express to her what a beauty she was but wondered if she would think I’m trying to hit on her. I wasn’t. I really just thought she was genuinely beautiful.

We approached my stop for transfer and I stood. I walked to her and I said, “I apologize miss, I know your wondering what the hell I’m staring at”, I chuckled, “I just wanted to tell you, you are absolutely beautiful.” There, I said it! I was surprised that her eyes filled with tears and she smiled a sad little smile. “Thank you” she said quietly, “You have no idea how much that means to me”. I was completely taken aback. I smiled uncomfortably as I exited the train wondering what just happened.

A small Hispanic man walked by licking his lips, “Aye mami, lookin’ good!” he yelled. He was wearing large headphones. I rolled my eyes and sneered as I rushed across the platform to catch my connecting train. Lmfao



*ding dong*

Thank you for riding the MTA