Next Stop, Us

First Line

1.00.p.m. We're done checking out places for Albert's busking and I found my inspiration for my poem. We're sitting in a café, waiting for our lunch.

"You're looking extremely happy today," Albert asked, noticing my wide smile. I explain to Albert of my decision about entering the poetry competition and that I'm out looking for inspiration.

"Are you going to win first place? How about using me as the main topic of your poem? I'm sure you'll win first place then," Albert proudly presented the idea. I laugh off the idea of using Albert as the main topic of my poem.

"The main theme of the competition is dreams. I can't use you as the base idea," I explained just before our food arrives.

"Here is your Black Pepper Chicken Chop and Grilled Salmon," The waiter said as he served our dishes. "Enjoy,"

"Okay, I'm being serious here. Have you thought about how to write your winning entry then?" Albert asked while cutting into his salmon. "I have a rough idea, though I can't guarantee it's going to win me first place," I answered while cutting into my chicken chop. "I've never entered any competitions before if I'm being honest,"

"Really? Not even one?!" Albert asked in surprise. "I've entered one, against my will, and grew to hate poetry," I answered. Albert had a look of pity on his face. He looks as if he was going to say something to console me. "But over time, I realize poetry is what helped me express myself better and it wasn't so bad after all," I continued, followed by a little laughter. Albert froze for a while before breaking into a laugh.

"This competition means a lot to me. It's my first step into something new and it could determine a lot after that,"

"I'm sure you'll do great, even better win first place. I'll be rooting for you," Albert said with a wide smile.

He barely knows me yet he is so supportive of my what I'm doing. I don't know what I'm supposed to feel at this point. There's this weird indescribable joy I feel just being around Albert. I just can't explain but what I can explain is that it makes me smile.

After our lunch, we made our way back to the bus stop to wait for the next bus. Not long after arriving at the bus stop, it started pouring.

Heavy...really heavy rain.

I could feel my shoes slowly being drenched. Even if I had an umbrella, it wouldn't have made a difference.

"All of a sudden, it's raining cats and dogs," I said while reaching my palm out to catch a few raindrops. "Raining cats and dogs? Pomeranians? Persians? I don't see any cats or dogs," Albert asked while looking out to the dark grey pouring sky.

I let out a little laugh before controlling myself. "Raining cats and dogs just mean it's raining heavily. There're no actual animals involved," I explained before splashing some water onto Albert's face. We ended up playing around a little, splashing rainwater onto each other before the bus arrived.

Both of us decided to sit at the back of the bus together, admiring the raindrops that run down the windows. "Looks like there's traffic with this rain going on like this," Albert said as he gets up from his seat, taking a peek at the situation in front of the bus.

As the bus started moving. Albert lost his balance, falling atop me. Our faces almost touching, merely and I think possibly just an inch away. Our eyes staring at each other, I can hear him gulping down his saliva, and his Adam's Apple moving. I quickly push him back to his seat.

"Are you okay?" I asked as I dust his knees and shoulders. "Yeah, I'm fine. No worries," Albert replied. There was a moment of awkwardness between us all of a sudden.

It's funny how we're casual one second and the next, we're awkward. It didn't help that we were stuck in traffic either. With the cold air conditioning above us and the slow traffic, I was slowly getting drowsy but I felt a sudden weight on my shoulder instead. Albert had fallen asleep already.

A faint smile appeared. Albert looks so peaceful, just leaning on me. We're slowly entering the night scene, the night lights of the city with the still pouring rain make a beautiful view.

I quickly grabbed my phone for a quick picture of the scenery. I too soon enough fell asleep. My head leans towards Albert too.

It is as if a dream.

I woke up after a while. We were approaching Fern District already after an hour of being stuck in traffic. I gently tap Albert's shoulder, waking him up.

"It's almost my stop. I have to get off soon," I said as he slowly raises his head, rubbing his eyes. "I must've fallen asleep. It was cold and so comfortable," Albert said while letting a yawn. I smiled in response, without saying anything.

"NEXT STOP! FERN DISTRICT!"

"I'll see you next time," I said as I got off the bus. Albert continuously kept waving to me, even from the bus windows. I waved back with a soft smile.

I crashed onto my bed immediately after I entered my room. Smiling away like some crazy person when something a thought hit me. I jumped out of my bed immediately, grabbed my notebook and pen, turning to an empty page.

Today was an exhausting day out with Albert. Our visit to Rose Plaza, busking, gallery, lunch, and even the bus ride. I feel happy but it was a different kind of happiness. I can't describe it but it's a really fuzzy feeling and this fuzzy feeling has helped me figure out the first few lines of my poem.

"In the many wonders of this open world

I'm starting to see beauty in all"

As I finish writing, I hear a beep coming from my phone. The beep is my ringtone for messages. I tried to reach for my phone on the bed but I fell off the chair instead, hitting my knee on the floor.

"Ouch! That's definitely going to leave a mark," I said while rubbing my knee. I grabbed my phone to check who messaged me and it was Albert.

"hey Owl boy! Can I call you Owl boy? Cause your name is Owen,"

Owl Boy?! What kind of nickname is that?! I can't believe him. I ignored his question and asked if he needed anything from me.

"nah. I just wanted to say thx for accompanying me today. It means a lot to me. Luv ya"