Three Phantoms of You [bxb]

From Lost to Wander

Nolan:

The night crawled up easily, pulling the sun back up before I even canceled out all thoughts of uncertainty. I lost track of time, and I didn't even realize how much I needed to sleep. I'm used to it by now, yet tiredness isn't inevitable in the living.

I kept walking until the sun finally kissed my tedious face. I don't know where I'm headed. All I can see are people finally crowding the streets of emptiness and hassling past their busy. It's probably just another day for them, and another day for me to watch them drowse in this reality.

Last night was definitely a fever dream. I don't want to think too much about it. However, it's killing me. Out of all the places I can spawn, why here? And why in Kiev's apartment? Everything in the real world just boggles me, and I haven't even spent a day living.

There's a nearby campus where I stopped, and students continue to fill its field. Most of them are the same age as me, and I couldn't help but look into each and every one of them. I know some. I watched most, and I know their history. Many have already found their other half; meanwhile, I feel pain to see others' phantoms break because of love. 

Yet here I am.

I'm nowhere near invisible anymore and capable of reading their type of love. Somehow, I'm one of them now. If only that's possible.

"I need rest," I tell myself before leaning back against a wall near the school. 

I close my eyes, trying to wander away from watching, yet these loud noises from students are keeping me up. Gossips are all I hear. Nonsenses.

"Nolan," an unfamiliar voice calls upon me from in front.

How can someone recognize me?

"Hey, bro." I open my eyes, and what greets me is a toned blonde guy wearing the campus' uniform. 

I don't know him, and I don't know why he's looking at me all lightly. My phantom in the living is probably nearby. Shit.

"Have you finished the essay I asked you to write? My prof is going to kill me if I don't pass it by tomorrow," he casually says, leaving me more confused.

I needed to ask something, or else I'll get myself into more trouble. "Uh, who are you again?" 

The guy laughs as if I'm making a joke, although I don't really know. Am I? "Bro, you can't act as if you just hit your head last night and suddenly forgot about our deal. We talked about it yesterday."

If only I were here yesterday, then I would've known. What have I gotten myself into in the first place?

The guy still looks at me with a full smile as I still try to decipher. He just sighs and takes something out of his wallet instead. "Here's a fifty. I'll give you the rest later. Just make sure you write it for me," he says.

I had no choice but to nod and accept his offer. I needed the money anyway since my stomach is rumbling already. Fucking hell do I have to keep up with this living routine? 

As I thought that the guy was about to live, he stepped closer and whispered to me, "Promise to not tell Kiev, okay? You know he'll kill me if he hears about our deal." His name again. 

What does he know about Kiev? And why shouldn't I tell him? 

He leaves after leaving those words trailing in my mind and heads to campus.

————————

Good thing I had money given to me earlier, or else I would've tried stealing or something to relieve my hunger. It's what I have been thinking, and I'd probably do it. Who knows?

I ate at the cheapest breakfast chain I could find instead, so that I'd still have some money left for the rest of the day. I'm tight at the moment since the portal didn't really flash me millions before heading into this world. Thank you very much. Hell, I was even naked. So I tried to buy clothes at a nearby thrift store just in case Kiev spots me and accuses me of stealing his clothes. Even if they're really his. But hey, I needed a spare anyway.

I'm full-set. Yet, I'm still broke, and even though it pains me to do it, I needed to find a job. 

It's easy in my world to earn money since my only job was to balance love in the living anyway. We get paid by making sure that someone finds his or her match and expressing love in jars of affirmations. That alone earns me enough to pay for my living. Even as a kid, I was making bucks, but I was only assigned to people my age, so it was hard to find people who loved me that young. 

There's a stand outside a cafeteria employing a new barista. It might be minimum waged, but I needed to find one immediately. And I doubt I'll find any high-end offerings anyway. 

I opened the door and walked through the cafe. All I can see are tables, chairs, and some people minding their own business. I know this place, and I visited it a bit when I was still spectating. There were many couples who go here for dates as I watched them exchange conversations. And here I am in that same scene again.

"Uh.." I start. "There's a sign outside that you guys are hiring. I was hoping to know if there's an available spot left." 

I needed to know even if I had to come forward and talk to this girl at the counter right now. Her name is Nina. She is fairly skinned and has curly hair. 

She light-heartedly gives me a smile before replying, "I have to check if we're hiring. I think one person left a week ago, so there's a huge chance you just found yourself a job." 

I smile candidly at her and wait as she goes to the back of the cafe. 

It's nearly lunch, so I also have to eat. They're offering a few foods here, so I might as well order as I wait for their confirmation. 

Nina came back and told me there is, and I couldn't be more pleasantly happy. It's fun to express emotions finally, yet every feeling is still foreign to me. 

A woman who seems to be in her twenties comes out from the back and talks to me. She asked me about schedules, if I knew how to brew, and gave me a few tips. It's nice because I don't really know anything about brewing, yet here I am, and it'll definitely be a lot of work.

"You need to know what your customer likes and remember it all too well. It might help," she advises. "Can I offer you anything for lunch? A free snack before you start your shift tomorrow." 

"Sure." I answer with a smile. "I'm getting hungry as well, so thank you." 

She stands up from where we're sitting and heads to the counter again. 

I needed to distract myself, especially since many students are heading out of campus to eat already. I try not to mind most of them so that I won't run off once again, and, besides, I still look handsome anyway, so I have nothing to overthink about. That's just me trying to boost my confidence.

Nina called my name and handed me a tray of fries with espresso to eat. 

I should probably get to know her more if I were to work here with her and start to make friends, I guess. I still don't know what to do, where I'll sleep tonight, or even how I'll survive here anyway. Might as well figure them out for the time being.

The doors open once again as a knowing presence graces my demented phantom. However, I was too busy eating to make sense of who it is.

Yet I get a feeling that something about me is open for this person to read. Until—

"What the fuck are you doing here?"

Shit.