Walking down the street, Max was actually feeling fresh, the life he was about to enter was new, and as an adult he had to make the most of it. He was not going to ask for handouts from people anymore, nor was he going to depend on other organizations for his own survival.
"Let's pick up my ID first, then there's a lot to plan."
Entering the building and collecting his ID was very smooth because Patrick wanted him to leave as early as possible. Patrick always starts this when a person under him turns seventeen so that he can get a new orphan to care for ASAP.
I thought I could be safe if I performed well in the school and got into a good university, but with him everything is the same.
Taking his card in hand, Max walked towards the train station, it wasn't far, but it would take Max about half an hour to get there. Patrick's obsession with the new orphan comes from the bonus check he receives every time he accepts one under him.
His dirty-handed method came in good for me, let's go to the washroom to pull out a €100 note for the train fare.
He stored every dollar in his ragged backpack, although it looked very old from the outside, it was still very strong, enough that Max could trust it fully.
Putting 100€ in his wallet, he left for the ticket counter. After his foster parents died, this was the first time he came to this station, it feels bigger than he remembered, and there were people everywhere.
"Let's see, I need to go to Munich, so are there any trains available soon?"
"Soon? Sorry, sir, Regional Express just left, it will be another 40 minutes till another one comes in. If it's an emergency, I would suggest you take this escalator to the first floor, ICE will be here in 5 minutes."
The middle-aged man behind the counter smilingly tried to guide Max to another train section, but after seeing Max's clothes, he regretted saying that. Intercity Express was fast and costly, Max doesn't look the part of someone who can afford such a ticket.
"Thank you."
Max didn't let that look of judgment bother him, thanking the employee, he ran upstairs instead. His mind was set on leaving this town as soon as possible.
His eyes landed on the blue and silver ticket counter, this counter was more premium than the one downstairs, and inside sat a beautiful woman. Max instantly felt the superiority of this section.
"I want to travel to Munich. Are there any tickets available?"
"Yes, if you want the train that's coming currently, only the first class is available."
"First class?"
Max's heart raced a little, he was not sure if he was ready for first class yet. It might cost hundreds of euro, which he had, but he was still not certain he wanted to waste his money.
"Yes, 68€ for a one-way ticket, cash or card?"
The woman inside didn't even bother to look at Max, she was typing a bunch of things on her computer. Max can guess she was filling up details in a hurry before confirming with the money.
"Cash, here."
Max wanted to use the cash because he had already taken this amount for spending. Pushing inside the new €100 note, he instantly got €32 back along with his ticket; she looked a bit in a hurry.
"Hurry, take those stairs and go down. The train is already here. Don't panic, there's still time for departure. With this ticket you get free wifi and drinks. Good luck."
Although she told him not to panic, she herself looked and sounded very panicky. She sold a ticket at the last moment, if Max doesn't make it, it will be her fault. Max didn't know it, but hearing her screechy voice, he took long strides.
When he reached downstairs, what awaited him blew his mind: a silver-colored, super-modern-looking train. Unlike what he had ridden in the past, this even looked extraordinary.
Let's hurry up, my wagon is 3rd and seat number 7. There it is.
Wagon number three was just in front of him, so he just jumped into it, there was a small automatic ticket checker in between, which didn't even take a second to clear.
It's fairly cheap, I thought it would cost me a fortune. Now 7,7, uh, there it is.
Finding his seat was not hard at all, the whole carriage is quite empty. He was not sure why those employees were behaving this way, though.
When he was about to reach his seat, his feet stopped, there was someone already seated in it, someone he knew, and he wondered if this was really coincidence anymore. Max was a person who liked to do what he was told and play by the rules.
Although the seats are mostly empty, I think I will be more comfortable with the seat I am assigned to, sigh! Let's go.
It would bother him the whole ride if he didn't even speak about this with the person who's occupying his seat, he considered it three times before going up to her.
"Blanka, I think you are in my seat."
"Max? Well, the train's pretty empty, sit wherever you're comfortable with.
I… I am comfortable in my assigned seat. I hate this type of person, I hate their casual rule-breaking behavior.
Although he was smiling, he wanted nothing more than to grab her by the hand and take his seat back, but taking a few deep breaths, he sat on the opposite row in a single seat. He didn't want to be bothered, but what bothered him a little was how much luggage she was carrying.
Three large suitcases? Rich people have it easy.
Shaking his head, he moved his eyes off her, he was getting mad seeing her sipping the coffee so relaxedly, like she was not seated in the wrong seat at all, and it made him look like he was the one who made the mistake of even bringing it up.
"Hey, can I sit here?"
A boy around their age suddenly hopped on the train, as soon as he did, his eyes landed on Blanka. Seeing such a beautiful girl seated alone, of course he had to sit with her and keep her company.
"S...Sure?"
Blanka frowned a little with annoyance, she doesn't like to be bothered when she's enjoying the coffee and sunbathing together. She didn't even talk with Max clearly about this, but someone else decided to trouble her.