Talking To Strangers Novels & Stories

"I know everyone here, we all go way back except for some who come and leave occasionally. Your name?" "Rose," I said taking a step back wanting to leave. He didn't creep me out, He was okay. I just never became good at talking to strangers or new people. It made me nervous. The people I talk to, I had seen multiple times. Worked with them. But people who randomly came in , I never really got the nerves to talk to them in a better way.

To travel to strange places she had never been, to learn the cultures, the food, meet new faces that she probably will never see again, to be anonymous where no one recognizes her or knew who she was. She finds it easier to connect with people without them knowing personal details about her. People are much friendlier, less judgmental, and not interested in prying on her private life when the encounter is brief, the conversations are on a need-to-know basis. No need for false pretenses. No drama. They will go about their day with a smile on their faces and a feeling of delight after meeting a nice stranger.

“Did you draw this?” Another slow blink. “Uh-huh.” “Who is he, honey? No one’s been talking to you at the playground or around here, have they? You know what I’ve told you about talking to strangers.” She shuddered involuntarily, because she saw it all the time: on television, in the newspapers, kids snatched from their homes, parks or playgrounds, even walking to the bus after school. Snatched away, gone, without a trace, never seen again.

“Don't think about what happened and continue to have fun." “I didn't come here to have fun though. I came here to get my mind off things,” I sighed. "I see we are in the same boats.” He twirled the drink in his glass. “Do you perhaps want to talk about it?" I leaned in closer. “Nothing heals like talking to a stranger about your problems. We don't even know each other's name.” "That's true. Also, we might never see each other again,” he nodded.

I said, tilting my lips, feigning sadness and they quickly noticed why I was acting up, and they both rushed down to where I knelt down as they embraced me warmly. "And what is the no.1 rule?" I said in a whisper. "Do not talk to strangers, take anything from strangers, or go anywhere with a stranger." They both chorused together as they chuckled softly. "Very good. Very good." I repeated in excitement as I kissed their cheek. They rushed out as they waved their final goodbyes to me. It wasn't intentional but then, the hours I stayed away from them were now years away from them and if possible, I wished I could have more time with them.

"Want to talk about it? Or would you prefer I just sit here and make awkward comments until you feel better?" This time she definitely laughed. It was watery and weak, but it was real. "I don't even know you," she said. "Perfect.” I grinned. “Strangers are the best people to vent to. We have no context and can't judge you properly." She wiped her eyes, a small smile forming. "You're really spunky for a human. Most of them are terrified to even talk to us." "Most humans haven't had the kind of week I've had," I said dryly. "At this point, making small talk with a crying wolf barely registers on my weird-o-meter."

It's almost as if he's ordering me. I might be riding in a train of insanity, because tell me why, in the next few minutes, I'm sharing drinks with a stranger, ranting about my scornful ex. Right, I tell myself he's a stranger. Is there anything wrong with that? We'll never meet again. Besides, isn't that what people normally do at bars? Normal people would rant to bartenders, but well, okay. The good thing about my stranger is that he's a good listener. He doesn't give me the sympathetic look and maybe it's because I don't get to see his face fully.

That was what was happening here. "I should go." I pronounce before I say things I shouldn't. "Scarlett," he called my name, I turned around, "If ever you need someone to talk more like strangers than a friend, you can talk to me." I frowned at his words, "More like a stranger?" "Of course, strangers never judge, they listen to you. Talk to you and vanish. So I wanted to be a stranger with whom you can talk rather than a friend." He completed it.

I sat in silence. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number from my hometown area code. I hesitated for a moment before pressing answer. A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line for a few seconds before Mom's voice finally came through. "Eileen…" I didn't say a word. She broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. "Eileen, I was wrong. Cody's been arrested, Lexie ran off, and the neighbors won't stop whispering about me. I really realize my mistakes now. Eileen, please, come home and see me. You're all I have left…"

Then why are you talking to me? "But, it was never against the law to talk to someone you don't know, am I correct? Miss?" I faked a smile on his confident words. But he has a point. "W-Well, but you're a stranger so I'm curious," I said. "What can I do for you anyway?" I raised a brow on him when he looked up the sky. "I want to do a proposal to you." What?! I froze myself in shockness, I even stopped walking due to his direct answer. A proposal? To a stranger like me?!