Hana's POV

Riding the train back was a lot of fun even though it was kind of crowded the closer we got to Dea's place. I didn't mind the subway in New York, but it just always seemed so dark and dreary. The train in Cali seemed much nicer and the seats were way more comfy too. 

We chit chatted about some random things like what our day was going to be like tomorrow and why Dea's roommate was gone -apparently she was doing research project in the midwest. She mostly let me stare out the window as we whizzed past the suburbs and stopped at stations here and there.

As I was zoning out re-thinking everything that had happened, Dea tapped me on the shoulder. "The next stop will be where we get off okay?" she said and I nodded in reply before turning back to the window -I know it was probably kind of rude of me, but I just needed some time to think. "Thinking about your boy problems?" she asked.

"Yeah," I sighed "I think I made the right decision, but at the same time I'm sad that I couldn't make it work."

"Don't we all try to hold onto a bad relationship at some time or other." she sighed.

"Mmhmmm, I had always hoped my first relationship would be my last, but apparently that's not what's going to happen now."

"I can understand that and I wanted that at one time too. I hoped I'd fall hopeless in love with the first person I dated."

"Did you?"

"Yes, and no? He was handsome and nice, but he just was too high maintenance. He wore down my patience until I just couldn't take it anymore."

"That's frustrating."

"Tell me about it! I felt like I was babysitting him half the time. He married the right girl though -she takes very good care of him and likes it too."

"I'm glad he found a happy ending! Have you found anyone else or dated since that guy?"

"Maybe and yes. I've dated a lot of the wrong guys since him -one was a "project" boyfriend that I should have know better, and another was a super sweet guy, but I just wasn't attracted to him other than being friends."

"Who's the maybe?"

"You'll meet him tonight."

"Really?!"

"Yes, he's picking us up from the train, but don't you dare spill that I like him or I'll turn you into cinderella for your stay here."

"I don't spill beans easily, so don't worry about that."

"Good, but I'm glad you got out of your relationship before things got really bad."

"Me too."

"I know it's hard, but being single isn't all bad either -you learn more about yourself that way and all the ways you need to grow before getting in a serious relationship."

"True" I agreed as the train swooshed to a stop and spoke the station's name.

"Let's boogie girl! We don't want to keep Travis waiting forever or he'll never agree to pick us up again!"

We scurried through the throb of people, tugging my bags behind us. There was a short flight of stairs that we lugged everything up and Dea scanned the area for Travis. She spotted him. "Hey Travis!" she waved.

He smiled a cheeky grin that made him more handsome, but he wasn't a not knock your socks off gorgeous kind of guy.

"Hey Dea!" he said giving her a quick hug. "You must be Hana, I'm Travis as you probably heard Deanna call me."

"Nice to meet you." I said with a smile and shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you too. Do you want a little tour?" he asked.

I looked at Dea pleadingly and she nodded, so I said. "Yes, that would be great!" 

He took us around the area Dea lived and showed us a few places he liked to go. They also talked about the history of the area too. All too soon he stopped in front of an apartment building.

"Here we are ladies!" he said.

"Thanks for the tour and picking us up Travis!" I said.

"Yes, thank you Travis." said Dea.

"No problem! That's what I do for my friends and their friends." he said with a smile.

"Thanks again and we'll see you tomorrow?" asked Dea.

"Yep! See you bright and early. Do you ladies need help taking anything up?" he asked.

"No, I think we're okay, but thanks!" said Dea.

"Okay bye ladies! Nice meeting you Hana." he said waving before driving off. 

"So this is your place eh?!" I said turning to Dea.

"Yes, ma'am! Let's get you settled in and fed." she said leading the way up the stairs. 

The apartment was small, but tastefully decorated.

"This is really cute Dea!" I said looking around.

"Thanks, but you'll have to give my roommated most of the credit -she's got a knack for that kind of stuff." 

"Well, she's not here so you're getting the credit from me." I giggled.

"Why thank you! Your room is the bedroom off the living room, so you can put your stuff in there okay?" she said.

"Okay" I said rolling my suitcase in there and then coming back to retreive my other one. 

"How does Mac and Cheese with Tuna and peas sound for a snack?" Dea called from the kitchen.

"Interesting combo, but sure! I'm not too fussy." I called from the room. 

"You don't sound too thrilled. Are you sure that's okay or do you just want plain mac and cheese?" she called back.

"No, I'll eat it Dea, my mom makes tuna noodle casserole sometimes and I like it."

"Okay, if you're sure?"

"I'm sure!" I said.

I wandered out of the bedroom, after I had gotten some of my things organized, and into the kitchen to watch her cook. 

"You don't have to watch me cook -you can make yourself at home and watch TV or something instead."

"That's okay! I like watching people cook. I don't really get to at home because I'm so awful and my mom doesn't like me wasting ingredients."

"How does she expect you to eat when you're on your own or married?"

"I don't know? She's tried teaching me, but we usually end up getting irritated with each other and she ends up taking over."

"It's hard to learn from mothers sometimes. Mine's pretty patient, but I learned most of my cooking skills from friends." said Dea.

"Yeah, I would do that, but Mary's not the best cook either." I said chuckling remembering a time we tried to make some crepes together and ended up making a huge, burnt mess in my mom's kitchen.

"That is a problem!" she laughed. "Here you go!" she said handing me a bowl of the mac and cheese, tuna, pea-y combination. 

"Thanks, are you going to eat too?" I asked.

"Yeah, I need a snack anyways, so I'll eat some of it." she said filling up another bowl.

"Okay, shall I pray?"

"Sure" she said taking a seat next to me at the dining bar.

"Dear God, thank you for helping everything go well today, for safe travels, and for Deanna and the Woo's welcoming me out here for a visit. Thank you for this meal that Dea's prepared and bless their family. In your name, Amen."

"Amen! Let me know what you think of it." she said stabbing some pasta with her fork.

I took a bite "It's good! I'll have to keep this in mind for a meal when I'm fending for myself."

"Glad you like it! It's really easy to make -1 can of tuna drained, about 1 cup of peas, and a box of mac and cheese."

"That's easy to remember. Thanks Dea!"

We watched a little TV, but I was tired and went to bed pretty early for California time.

*Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! The past few weeks have been nuts, so sorry about the delay in updating again. ~AA