EXTRACT FOR
Stroll And Discover
(Nicola Diaz)

"Freaking really?" Natalie stared at the phone in disbelief. The nerve of him not to say anything until she texted and called. She thrust the phone into her purse and zipped it. May as well head back home now that Alex canceled their date at the last minute. 



The bus stop wouldn't have another bus happen by for an hour. She looked in both directions and pulled out her phone. Finding the bus website, she scoured the online tiny map and tried to figure out where the other stops were. She could walk a couple of blocks and catch the bus quicker that way. But the nearest one that would have a quicker stop was over a mile away. And it crossed some busy roads. Roads she'd never cross on foot in broad daylight, let alone at night and while wearing a dark charcoal grey and black poncho.



She sat on the bench and made up her mind to wait for the bus. Her phone needed charged too. She scowled as she looked at the percent left for the battery. The battery charger she left on her desk charging. "Oh, the irony," Natalie said to herself and she chuckled. An older man sitting at the end of the bench regarded her briefly before he returned his stare across the street. 



"Don't mine me."  She looked at the man and giggled. He didn't turn his glance back to her, so she let it be.



Natalie stood and sighed. Boredom set in as she waited for the bus. Then she remembered Carolyn's invitation. She and Smitty may still be at the club. She sent a quick text.