"Hey, are you heading to Sea Salt City too?" a voice called from behind. Sarah turned around, surprised to see a young guy grinning at her. He had this easy-going vibe, with curly brown hair and deep-set eyes that somehow made him seem instantly trustworthy.
"Uh, yeah," Sarah replied, caught off guard by how friendly he seemed. "I'm going to Sea Salt University."
His grin widened. "No way! Me too. I am Michael Smith, by the way. Did we go to Willow Ville High School together?"
Sarah blinked. Seriously? What were the chances of running into someone from her tiny hometown on this train? She smiled, the coincidence making her feel less alone. "My name is Sarah Mills. And yeah, we did! Wow, what are the odds?"
Michael leaned forward a little. "Small world, huh?"
They were soon deep into conversation, swapping stories about their shared hometown. It was like they were old friends catching up. Michael kicked back in his seat, a playful glint in his eyes. "Remember old Mr. Thompson from the grocery store? He always gave me candy if I helped him load his car."
Sarah laughed. "Oh yeah, he did that for me too! Even though he pretended to be all grumpy about kids these days, he had a soft spot for us."
"And Rosie's Dairy on Main Street?" Michael continued. "The place with the flickering neon sign? Best milkshakes in town."
Sarah's smile grew wider. "Strawberry was my go-to. What was your favorite?"
Michael said, "I was a chocolate guy. I wonder if that place is even open anymore."
"Me too," Sarah said, a touch of nostalgia in her voice. The memories brought a warmth that made her feel... home, although she was speeding away from it.
As the train rolled through the countryside, the familiar fields and woods gave way to sprawling suburbs. Sarah stared out the window, her stomach tightening with a mix of nerves and excitement. Everything is going to be so different now.
Michael must have noticed the shift in her mood. "Are you okay? You look... lost in thought."
Sarah shrugged, still watching the changing landscape. "It is just... Willow Ville was so small, Sea Salt City is massive compared to what I am used to. I have never been away for this long... I already miss my grandma."
Michael nodded, his face softening. "Yeah, I get that. It is a big leap. But that is the cool part, right? All the unknowns. Makes life more exciting."
Sarah gave a small smile, appreciating his optimism. "I guess. It is just scary... starting fresh."
Michael leaned forward, his eyes locking onto hers. "I know, but that is what makes it worth it. New city, new people, new adventures. We get to figure out who we are without all the old stuff holding us back."
Sarah chuckled. "You are right. It's like shedding skin, leaving the old behind."
"Exactly," Michael grinned. "Besides, if we survived Mr. Thompson's grocery grumbles, we could handle anything."
Sarah laughed, the weight of her worries lifting just a little. "Fair point."
As the train neared the Sea Salt City, its skyline came into view. Sarah's heart thudded in her chest. The skyscrapers loomed tall, their shadows stretching far as the sun dipped lower in the sky.
"Wow," she whispered, mostly to herself. "It's... massive."
Michael followed her gaze, nodding in agreement. "Bigger than I imagined. But this is cool, right?"
"It's a little terrifying," Sarah admitted, clutching her train ticket tighter. "I feel like I'm about to get swallowed by the city."
Michael nudged her lightly, his grin never fading. "Do not worry. We have got this. Sea Salt is just the beginning."
Sarah glanced at him, feeling a bit more at ease. Maybe having someone like Michael around would not be so bad after all. "Yeah, you are right. Here is to new beginnings."
"Here's to adventure," Michael added, his eyes twinkling with excitement.
As the train slowed to a stop, Sarah could not help but feel like she was stepping into a brand-new chapter of her life. Everything was unknown, but maybe... just maybe... with someone like Michael by her side, it would not be as scary as she thought.