I always feel guilty when I see someone who is seemingly homeless or in some way affected by drugs or alcohol, I tend to grab my bag a little tighter and pick myself up a bit so I’m ready to make a quick escape. This isn’t fair. There is no real reason I should fear people like this. Like today I was standing at the platform about to catch the train when a man who was wearing dirty sweats crouched down near me and takes out the contents of his bag. At a quick glance I saw a pipe and a lighter, and an empty Gatorade bottle, which from my angle I couldn’t tell if it was just an average bottle or a homemade bong. See? Why do I assume that he has a fucking bong just because of the way he was dressed. He didn’t even look at me but I was already afraid of him. When the train pulled up to the platform, I walked down a little further so I wouldn’t be on the same carriage as him. As it were, he ended up being at the opposite end of my carriage, and he caught my gaze and kept it for a few seconds. I felt offended within myself that I would assume so much from someone I know so little about. It’s not like I’ve ever had an exchange with someone in public that would leave me to be so afraid. Maybe I just feel vulnerable when I’m by myself. Maybe. Maybe I’m just afraid in general. Maybe.