Mia stepped off the plane, expecting nothing more than a short trip to visit a friend and explore the city, but something about the air in Toronto felt different—charged, like it was waiting for her to notice. She didn’t know it yet, but a single conversation with a “business bro” on a train would soon change the course of her life.
- - -
When Mia steps off the plane into the Toronto Pearson International Airport’s domestic terminal, she is excited to finally embrace her tourist personality. She walks through the airport, following the signs that read “Train to City,” until she finally stumbles upon the correct train that takes her from the airport to Toronto’s Union Station. She is one of the first ones on, meaning she gets the prized possession of seat selection. She chooses a seat three rows from the door and takes the window seat of the row’s two seats.
Dropping her backpack at her feet, Mia settles in with a satisfied sigh. The seat is comfortable, the view is promising, and her excitement for the city buzzes beneath her casual exterior. She pulls out her phone to let her friend know she’s on her way, but before she can type out the message, she hears the shuffle of a suitcase near her row.
“Is this seat taken?” a voice asks, polite but slightly weary.
Mia looks up to see a guy about her age standing in the aisle. His dark slacks and crisp white shirt gave him a polished, professional air. But the loosened tie and slight slump of his shoulders told a different story—he was tired. His suitcase is propped up beside him, and he’s balancing a sleek briefcase in one hand.
“Nope, all yours,” Mia says, sliding her duffel bag closer to her feet to give him room.
“Thanks,” he says, maneuvering into the aisle seat with the practiced efficiency of someone who’s done this a hundred times. As he sits, he sets his briefcase on his lap and adjusts his tie, glancing briefly out the window before turning his attention to her. “Long day?”
Mia grins, surprised by his easy initiation of conversation. “Not really. Long flight, though. I just got in from Alberta. You?”
“Just got back from a conference in New York,” he replies. “First one with my company, so... yeah, it was a long day.” He offers a faint smile, his expression softening. “I’m Ethan, by the way.”
“Mia,” she says, shaking his outstretched hand. “So, first conference—how was it? As exciting as it sounds?”
Ethan snorts, shaking his head. “Exciting isn’t the word I’d use. Unless you’re really into twelve-hour days of networking and listening to presentations.”
Mia laughs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sounds... intense. Let me guess, business guy?”
“Guilty as charged,” he admits. “Bachelor of Business, just started with a firm in Toronto this year.” He gestures to her duffel bag. “And you? Visiting, or is Toronto home base?”
“Visiting,” Mia says. “Just here for a few days to see a friend. I’m from Edmonton It’s nice to play tourist for a bit, though.” She pauses, then adds, “Let me guess again: corporate job, strictly professional, probably doesn’t have time to play tourist?”
Ethan smirks, leaning back in his seat. “Something like that. Though I could probably use a little more of the tourist vibe. What about you? What do you do back in Alberta?”
Mia hesitates, glancing at her duffel. “Right now, I’m a server part-time, attending classes at the University of Alberta, and coach and play basketball in my spare time. Keeps me busy, but I like it that way.”
Ethan raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “University, huh? What’s your major?”
“Biology,” Mia answers reluctantly “although my microbiology class is making me rethink that decision.”
“Damn, I bet!” Ethan replies. “I struggled with accounting, and that’s just numbers. You’re out here memorizing the building blocks of life—makes me feel like I should quit complaining about conferences.”
Mia shrugs, grinning. “Maybe. But at least you get paid for them. Mine... it’s more like I pay.”
Their conversation is cut short as the train jolts forward, and Ethan fumbles to steady his briefcase, nearly dropping it onto the floor. Mia stifles a laugh as she leans over to help.
“First the conference, now the train. You’re really on a roll, huh?” she teases.
Ethan laughs, shaking his head. “Let’s just say grace under pressure isn’t my strong suit.”
As the train picks up speed, the city skyline begins to shimmer faintly in the distance, and their easy banter fills the quiet hum of the carriage. Neither of them notices how quickly the miles are passing. Soon enough, the orange glow of the setting sun bathed the carriage in soft light as the train moved steadily toward the city. Ethan glanced out the window, then back at Mia, who was scrolling through her phone with a small smile on her face.
“So,” Ethan began, leaning slightly against the back of his seat, “what’s on the tourist agenda? CN Tower? Ripley’s Aquarium? Or are you one of those ‘hidden gems only’ types?”
Mia laughed, slipping her phone back into her pocket. “Definitely more of a hidden gems type. Big landmarks are great and all, but I’d rather find a funky coffee shop or a hole-in-the-wall diner. You know, something that feels like the real city.”
Ethan nodded, his smile widening. “That’s solid. There’s this café near King Street I like—kind of quiet, great coffee, and they don’t mind if you camp out for hours. You’d probably like it.”
“Sounds like a business guy hangout,” Mia teased, nudging his arm lightly with her elbow. “But hey, if it’s good coffee, I’m in.”
Ethan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Okay, fair point. I guess my tourist recommendations might be...a little boring.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Mia said, leaning toward him conspiratorially. “You’ve got the whole ‘reluctant guide’ vibe going. It’s charming.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Charming, huh? I’ll take it. Though I don’t think anyone’s ever accused me of being charming before.”
Mia smirked. “Well, first time for everything.”
Their conversation continued easily, moving from Toronto landmarks to the little quirks of their lives. Ethan shared stories about adjusting to his new job—the awkward office politics, the endless emails, and the terrifying moment he accidentally replied-all to a company-wide memo. Mia, in turn, regaled him with tales of her basketball coaching mishaps, like the time she tripped over a loose shoelace while trying to demonstrate a defensive drill to a group of middle schoolers.
“You’re not making a strong case for your coaching skills,” Ethan teased, trying to suppress a laugh.
“Hey, I recovered!” Mia protested, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “And besides, the kids thought it was hilarious. I call that a win.”
Their banter was interrupted when the train passed through a long tunnel, momentarily dimming the lights. Mia’s shoulder bumped into Ethan’s as the carriage swayed slightly, and she straightened quickly, a faint flush creeping into her cheeks.
“Sorry,” she murmured, brushing a strand of hair out of her face.
“Don’t worry about it,” Ethan said, his tone softer now. For a moment, neither of them spoke, and the hum of the train filled the space between them.
Ethan cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So, why biology?” he asked, steering the conversation back to safer ground.
Mia hesitated, her playful demeanor softening. “Honestly? I don’t know. I guess I thought it was what I was supposed to do. It seemed...practical. But the more I get into it, the more I wonder if it’s actually what I want.”
Ethan nodded slowly. “I get that. Sometimes I feel the same way about business. Like, I’ve done everything right—got the degree, landed the job—but there’s this little part of me that wonders if I’m just going through the motions.”
“I totally get that, I’m sort of at the same place. Just taking the required classes to get the degree.” Mia tilted her head, studying him. “So, what would you do if you could do anything?”
The question caught Ethan off guard. He glanced out the window, as if the answer might be written somewhere in the streaks of light passing by. “I don’t know. Travel, maybe? See the world. Maybe work for a company that lets me do that.” Mia nodded and smiled at his response. “What about you?”
“That’s a hard question. I know I’d also want to do something that has to do with travelling. I don’t know. Maybe I’d do something creative. I’ve always liked writing, but... it’s not exactly a stable career.”
“Stable’s overrated,” Ethan said with a grin. “Take it from someone who’s got the stable career. Sometimes I think it’s better to just... jump and hop that at some point you land on your feet.”
Ethan met her gaze, something unspoken passing between them. “You make it sound easy.”
“It’s not,” Mia admitted. “But you’ve gotta start somewhere.”
The train emerged from the tunnel, and the city skyline loomed closer, glittering in the twilight. Mia glanced out the window, her expression softening. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Ethan nodded, though his eyes weren’t on the skyline anymore. “Yeah, it is.”
The train began to slow as the announcement for Union Station crackled over the intercom. For the first time, both of them seemed to notice how close they were to their destination—and how quickly the miles had passed.
The train rattled gently, pulling them both out of their thoughts. Mia leaned forward slightly, resting her elbow against the window sill. “You know, it’s funny,” she said, her voice softer now. “I’ve been thinking about this trip for weeks, but I never expected to have this kind of conversation on the way here.”
Ethan tilted his head, intrigued. “What kind of conversation?”
“The kind that makes you rethink things,” Mia replied, offering a small smile. “In a good way, though.”
Ethan smiled back, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before turning to the window. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “I know what you mean.”
The train slowed as the intercom crackled to life, announcing their arrival at Union Station. Passengers stirred, gathering bags and checking their phones, the quiet hum of the train replaced by the buzz of movement.
Mia glanced out the window at the glowing lights of downtown Toronto. “Well,” she said, turning back to Ethan with a smile, “this is me.”
Ethan nodded, shifting his briefcase onto his lap. “Me too.” He hesitated, his gaze flickering to the floor for a moment before meeting hers. “I’ve gotta say, this is probably the most interesting conversation I’ve had in... well, ever, on public transit.”
Mia laughed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Same. Usually, it’s just people staring at their phones or trying not to make eye contact.” She paused, biting her lip. “Thanks for the coffee shop recommendation, by the way. I might check it out.”
Ethan smiled, leaning slightly forward. “You should, they have the best stuck-up business guy vibes in all of Toronto.”
She laughed. Then, Mia tilted her head, her eyes narrowing playfully and then turned on her phone and blurted out. “Do you... have Instagram?”
He laughed, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “Okay, fair point. Do you... have Instagram?”
“Um, yeah I do,” Ethan replied fumbling for his phone in his pant’s pocket. “Here.”
Mia quickly typed his handle into the search bar, and Mia followed him before returning his phone. “There. Now you’ll know if I visit that coffee shop.”
“Ah yes, instagram won't know what's gracing it's platform,” Ethan said, grinning, “It truly will be like meeting the more boring version of me.”
Mia laughed, standing up and slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “Guess I’ll just have to go, then.”
As the train came to a full stop, the doors slid open with a soft hiss. The platform outside was alive with the bustle of passengers heading into the heart of the city.
Ethan stood too, adjusting his tie and grabbing his suitcase. For a moment, they both lingered by their seats, neither quite ready to move.
“Enjoy your trip,” Ethan said, his voice a touch softer.
“You too,” Mia replied, her smile warm. “Or, you know, enjoy... working.”
He chuckled, stepping aside to let her into the aisle. “Thanks. I’ll try my best.” They walked toward the doors together, the noise of the platform growing louder with each step.
Before Mia stepped off the train, she turned to face him. “Hey, Ethan?”
“Yeah?”
“It truly was nice to meet you.”
“You too, Mia.”
Mia lingered for a moment, her eyes meeting Ethan’s before she smiled again, a little softer this time. Then, with a small wave, she disappeared into the crowd, her backpack slung over her shoulder. She seemed to walk with a sense of determination.
Ethan watched her go, his grip tightening briefly on the handle of his suitcase. He shook his head, smiling to himself, and stepped off the train. The platform buzzed with activity, but his mind felt unusually still, the rhythm of their conversation replaying in his head. His phone buzzed in his hand. Pulling it out, he saw a notification: @mia.johnson11 followed you. He tapped on her profile instinctively. Her bio was simple: UofA Biology. Basketball. A candid photo of her mid-laugh, holding a basketball, filled the screen. He chuckled under his breath. Of course. Tucking his phone into his pocket, Ethan headed toward the station’s exit, weaving through the throng of passengers. The city lights gleamed just beyond the station’s glass doors, familiar and steady. But somehow, tonight, they felt different—brighter, warmer, but at the same time like he fit in less than before.
As he stepped into the cool Toronto evening, he caught himself glancing at his phone again. He felt stupid as his mind entertained the idea that this wasn’t the last time he’d see Mia. He shook the thought out of his head as he made his way returning to his corporate life.
Meanwhile, Mia boarded the Toronto Subway and rod it all the way to College Station. As the train rattled toward College Station, Mia stood in the middle, her backpack slung over her shoulder. Ethan’s words about taking the leap replayed in her mind, sparking ideas she hadn’t dared consider before. Maybe, she thought and considered, there was something to this whole “jump and hope you land on your feet” philosophy Ethan spoke of.
…
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