What is that racket?! Please! I just want to continue sleeping!
It's 7 a.m. in the morning. I realize the racket I was hearing; it was my alarm. I slowly crawled out of bed. If I stayed in any longer, I would have missed the bus and an entire day of class.
My day starts quite ordinarily. I brush my teeth, wash my face, a quick shower and spend a good ten minutes deciding my outfit for the day. Today's outfit is a swamp green t-shirt overlayed with a dark green plaid shirt and brown pants. I was feeling good today after yesterday's series of bad luck.
I hurried down to the bus stop. The next bus was scheduled to arrive at 8 a.m. I could see a group of students already waiting for the university bus. Some of them were in groups, some stood alone. I too stood alone while waiting for the bus.
Time seems to move really fast when we're alone. One second, we're doing something important, and the next, it is gone. Once it is gone, we realize how much attention we could have given it. I say it like a really experienced philosopher.
Hey... Hey! HEY! I can hear someone calling me. The sound seems to be coming from beside me. I looked over and I realize it is a familiar face. It was the hot guitarist from yesterday on the bus.
"Hey there. Remember me from yesterday?" He asked with a smile. I was shocked. What was he doing here? What was he doing standing beside me?! Why is he smiling so happily?!
"Yeah, sure. I remember you, the guitarist who almost fell on me in the bus," I answered sarcastically. He laughed it off.
"I'm sorry about yesterday," He answered. I believe he wants to continue the conversation but the bus arrived before he could utter the next word. I quickly board the bus and took my seat beside some random student so the hot guitarist doesn't get a chance to sit beside me.
He sat across my seat and I can see him continuously smiling at his phone just like yesterday.
Weirdo.
The ride to the university campus is relatively much faster compared to the ride home. I made it to campus before 8.30.a.m. I make my way to the classroom immediately where I can sit down and settle any work that I have.
I have been writing my own poetry for a long time but I haven't gotten the courage to share it with anyone yet. It's just a lot of fear stirring up inside.
What if I'm not doing it right? What if my work isn't good enough? What if people don't like it?
It's best if I just focus on my academics for now. I can't afford to be lacking behind on my studies. I can see my classmates entering the classroom one by one, all laughing joyfully. A smile is plastered on my face as I see my friends.
"Alright, everyone! Let's start today's class with a quick quiz. We'll see if you can remember what we've learned from the previous lectures," My lecturer said as she starts sharing her PowerPoint slides on the screen.
The class went on for an hour, followed by another class and another. Literature class followed by Phonology class and lastly, Morphology. By 12 p.m., I was done with classes for the day.
This is the life of an English Major.
We're reading a lot more than usual. There aren't many problems to be solved but there is a lot of understanding as to why such theory is applied in the first place. It is a heavy toll on the brain. There is a reason why words are used in a certain way and It sounds right can no longer be valid reasoning.
"Owen, shall we go for lunch?" My friend, Elly asked. "Sure" I answered while quickly packing my bags. We make our way to the cafeteria and to my surprise, the same familiar face was there again.
It was that guitarist dude!
He's playing his guitar while singing. Students are gathered all around him, cheering and swaying. It's like a mini-concert but there is a proper term for it. What was it? It's at the tip of my tongue but I can't remember.
BUSKING!
That is what they call it. It's practically playing music in an open space.
His voice is melodious and soothing. He looks kinda cool strumming his guitar and singing away. He isn't afraid to be out in the open, doing what he likes and showing it to others.
I'm kinda enjoying his performance. I can't seem to take my eyes off of him and he seems to be staring at me too.
WAIT! What am I even talking about?! Why would he be staring at me?! He is obviously looking at someone else.
"Let's go," I said to my friends as I break away from the crowd of students to an empty table. My friends went off to get their food first and I can see the crowd of students slowly dispersing.
"Did you enjoy the song, Owen?" A voice asked.
It was him. The hot guitarist who I've met twice now but still don't know his name.
"How do you know my name?" I asked. I remember I never told him my name.
"Your lanyard does it for you," He said smiling away.
I quickly flip my tag around. "What do you want?" I replied. "How'd you like the song?" He asked again.
"It was alright. You have a nice voice. I'm surprised you're not some official singer performing on big stages yet," I commented.
"You really think I can perform on big stages?" He asked while looking excited. "If you really want to, I'm sure you can do it," I said hesitantly, shocked by his excitement.
"My name is Albert by the way. Nice to meet you," He reached out his hand for a handshake. Instinctively, I reached out for his hand to shake it but immediately I regret it.
How does one shake another person's hand so vigorously?! Gosh! Was he trying to break my arm or what?!
"Nice to meet you too," I said, trying my best not to show the pain I am in from the handshake.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" Albert asked as he pulls a chair from another table. "Sure. Any friend of Owen is a friend of ours too," Elly said as she returns with food.
"I'm going to get food. Do you want anything?" I asked Albert as I got up from my seat. "I'll come with you," He said.
YOU ARE READING
Next Stop, Us
Romance"If you have a dream, then you must have the courage to chase it," Owen is a young adult who has always been admiring his dreams from afar, the dream of becoming a successful writer whose work will touch the hearts of others. Owen however is afraid...
