The Prodigy

"A Bland Start" Chapter 1

As the bus rumbles down the city streets towards the college campus, Zach Hanes leans against the window. The rain drops tap against the window, thunder rumbling in the distance. Zach gazes out the window, lost in thought as buildings and citizens fade past in a blur.

Each droplet on the glass seems to carry away fragments of his worries, if only for a moment. The rhythmic pattern of the rain and the distant rumble of thunder provide a soothing backdrop to his chaotic thoughts. He's been grappling with the upcoming college stuff and the mounting pressure to excel.

As the bus makes its way closer to the campus, Zach takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the day ahead.

The bus slows down to a stop at a bus stop right outside the campus, Zach, along with a few other college students, exits the bus and starts to walk towards the campus dorms beside the college building. As the students line up for their dorm keys, Zach feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns around and finds his high school friend, Carlos.

Zach smirks. "The fuck is wrong with your face? It got even uglier.." Carlos gives Zach a light smack on the back of his head. "Oh, shut the hell up. You're just jealous that I look better."

Zach and Carlos got themselves a dorm key and went to their dorm room. As they walk through the hall of dorms, they have a little chat.

"How was your 18th birthday party, man? Sorry for not coming that day, I was busy with my part-time job.." Carlos said, feeling a pang of guilt of not being at Zach's birthday that day. Zach puts his arm around Carlos' shoulders and playfully hits his chest lightly. "Don't worry about it, bro. As long as you're there in spirit, I'm fine with it. Too bad you couldn't eat, though." Zach replies, having a smirk on his face.

Carlos smiled as he said that, feeling less guilty. "I wish I had a taste of your mom's cooking." Carlos murmured as he and Zach approached their dorm. Zach unlocks the door and opens it. "You'll get a taste of my mom's cooking through me. I'm in culinary school after all."

Zach and Carlos enter the dorm and settle themselves in, unpacking their clothes and arranging them in their respective closets. After a while, Zach and Carlos sat down on the couches. They play a game of chess like they used to do back in high school.

As they play, Carlos looks up to face Zach. "You know we have a week before our classes starts, right?" He says as he moves a piece. Zach rubs his chin as he thinks of his next move. "Yeah, what about it?" He replies as he takes a piece.

Carlos takes his piece too. "We could look around. You know, learn the place so we won't get lost." He says as Zach moves a piece. Zach puts Carlos in a check. "Couldn't hurt to do so. I put you in a check, by the way." He smirks, knowing he put Carlos in a tough position.

Carlos smacks his own face as he sees it. "You're annoying. I give up." He says as he gets up. "We might as well start walking around and learn the place."

Zach cleans up the board. "Count me in. It'd be boring here anyway." He replies, putting the chess set away. Carlos puts on a jacket and walks to the door with Zach following behind.

They exit the dorms and walk around the city, trying to memorize the area. As they do so, they come across a Starbucks Cafe and decide to enter. Inside, they see other college students hanging out.

Carlos glances at a cute girl that caught his eyes. "Bro, there's cute girl.." He grabs his arm. Zach looks at the direction and sees who he was referring to. He doesn't give off the same reaction as Carlos did. "Yeah, sure. She's cute but it ain't my type." He says, pushing Carlos' hands off his arm. Carlos looks at him, eyebrows furrowed. "What, you into hot milfs or what?" He murmurs, putting his hands in his pocket.

Zach smacks his head playfully. "Not that either. It's complicated to describe." He says as he walks over to the counter to order. "You can still try to describe it." Carlos replies, looking at the menu.

The barista glances up to take their order. As she does so, she freezes up as she faces Zach, blushing at the sight of him. She composes herself and manages to get some words out, stuttering as she speaks. "C-can I take your o-order, Sir?.." She looks down on the keyboard of the ordering machine thing.

Zach looks at the menu. "I'd like a Strawberry Crème Frappuccino, please." Carlos moves him aside. "And I'll have an Espresso." The barista nods, quickly inputting their orders into the machine. "T-that will be ready in a few minutes. Please wait over there," she says, gesturing towards a seating area.

Zach and Carlos move to the waiting area, finding a small table to sit at. Carlos, still amused by the interaction, leans in. "Looks like someone has a fan," he teases. Zach rolls his eyes, though a small smirk tugs at his lips. "Just order your coffee and leave her alone."

As they wait, the cafe buzzes with the chatter of students, some discussing their classes and others making plans for the upcoming week. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, a contrast to the rainy scene outside.

A few minutes later, the barista calls out their names, and they collect their drinks. Carlos takes a sip of his espresso, letting out a satisfied sigh. "This is the life, man. Good coffee, good company, and a whole new life ahead." Zach nods, taking a sip of his frappuccino. "Yeah, it's a fresh start. Let's make the most of it."

They sit for a while longer, enjoying their drinks and the comfort of the cafe. As the rain continues to patter against the windows, they make plans for the rest of the week, eager to explore their new home and embrace the challenges and opportunities that college life will bring.