Dear Diary:

I noticed him as I transferred from the Q train to the L on my way to a beer garden in Brooklyn.

I sat across from him. He had headphones on and was unaware of the world around him, eyes wide open without looking anywhere in particular. He was not especially attractive, nor did he have any distinct features to draw my attention. Yet he did.

Other riders left the car, new ones got on. Nothing seemed to alter his state of mind, not even my occasional but piercing stare.

Suddenly, something — or, rather, someone — caught his eye. She was not particularly attractive, nor did she have any distinct features to attract his attention. Yet she did.

I was looking at him. He was looking at her.