𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 ; patrochilles ｡

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄

Schlunk!

The spear broke through the inexperienced man's borrowed armor. He looked down at his bleeding stomach in disbelief. The spear seemed to be laughing at him– as if mocking him for thinking himself capable of battle.

His lover fell not long after that, drunk with rage and grief. He cared not if he lived; he only wished to be with him again. Apollo had guided that arrow into his heel– he knew this to be true– and as he took his last breath, he whispered a meek thank you to the gods above.

I woke up with a start, silent tears streaming down my face. That dream felt insanely real– I could almost feel the spear sticking through my abdomen even now. Who was the other man? Why did I feel so distraught, like I needed to sprint out of bed to save him?

"Parker?" I heard from across the room. "Are you okay?" It was my roommate, Otis.

"Yeah, just a weird dream," I responded. I wiped my face and tried to let go of all that emotion. It was ridiculous to get so worked up over a random dream.

Otis and I still had time before our first class of the day, so we decided to get breakfast from the coffee shop across campus. We got dressed in our usual tired and broke college student outfits and started the refreshing walk.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Otis spoke as we were nearly there. I sighed.

"It wasn't much," I started. "I died on a battlefield, but I was more focused on this guy that died avenging my death. I could feel my heart breaking."

"Like a military thing?"

"No, we had, like, spears and armor and chariots and stuff."

Otis made a noise of interest, but we had reached our destination. It was a quaint little coffee shop with a small chalkboard easel sign that read 'THE GRIND,' along with the specials of the day. Inside, it smelled like freshly baked bread and coffee beans. Laidback acoustic tunes played over the speakers.

Otis ordered first, getting a bagel and a cappuccino. I had no idea how he could drink espresso– it was much too strong for me. I decided on a banana muffin and a caramel cold brew.

As we walked away from the counter, I accidentally bumped into a girl who had been waiting in line behind us.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay!" She replied, smiling and waving her hands as if to say it was no big deal. Her face dropped as we made eye contact, however.

"Have we met before?"

I looked at her in confusion. She seemed familiar, yes, but she wasn't in any of my classes and I wasn't exactly involved in the party scene.

"I don't think so..." I replied.

"Oh, well I'm Brianna. It's nice to meet you." Her smile returned, crinkling her eyes so tight they almost closed.

"Parker," I said, returning the smile.

"And I'm Otis!" my roommate chimed in, peeking his head out from behind my shoulder.

"Are you guys chilling here for a bit? Mind if I join you?" she asked.

"Not at all," I replied. "We'll probably sit outside."

"Okay!" she exclaimed. "I'll meet you guys out there!"

By then, Otis' and my orders were ready and we took them outside to a table big enough for the three of us. The weather was perfect– the sun peeking through the clouds just enough to give campus a bright, joyful glow. It was a great morning to sip a coffee and relax outdoors.