i sleep so i can see you

before sunrise

We raced.

Our drive to the 24/7 Pho place was a short one but a fun one, attempting to overtake each other at every moment we could, the streets were empty, so we took advantage. We left our vehicles in the lot beside the little restaurant once we had made it. It was located in the outer part of the main area of the town. The city was quiet, illuminated by neon advertisements and street lights.

"Trust me, this is the best thing you'll ever eat." Eren told me as we opened the door to the dimly lit restaurant. The smell immediately made me hungry, immediately making me want to eat some.

"Eren! The usual tonight?" The chef behind the counter spoke up shortly after we entered.

"Yes please." He replied before turning to me. "And you Val?"

I gazed at the menu, quickly landing on the Saigon style Pho, my mouth watering at the sound of the different cuts of beef and rice noodles in a flavorful broth. I pulled out some cash to pay for my order, but Eren quickly pushed my hand away.

"I got it." He told me.

"Thanks." I found myself smiling at him yet again.

"Don't mention it."

We took a seat at table by the window, not that there was much of a view outside apart from the apartment complex across the road. Some lights were on, little silhouettes of people living their lives, each one as intricate and complex as mine, each one with their own story.

"What you looking at?" Eren snapped me out of my trance.

"The people."

"Sonder."

"What?" I turned to face him.

"The realization that each random passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own." He spoke, pouring me a glass of water.

"I sonder often then." I spoke up, retrieving the glass of water before taking a sip. The restaurant had 2 other people, which was surprising considering it was the early hours of the morning on a weeknight. I was also surprised that I was yet to discover this place during my escapades around the town.

"What do you think their story is?" He pointed to individuals in the upper right window, seemingly a man and a woman, seemingly arguing.

"I'm not sure, looks like she's pointing to something. Maybe there's someone else there that their arguing about." I decided.

"Maybe a kid or something." Eren added.

"Ouch. I hope not, that poor kid." I pursed my lips. "What do you think about them?" I gestured to an individual I couldn't discern the gender of but was seemingly having a fun night. They were dancing, all by themselves, coming in and out past the window.

Eren smiled. "They know what's up."

"Indeed they do." I replied. I was stuck on that person, seemingly not a care in the world in this moment, it was just them, in their little apartment. I wondered what it would be like to live there, I mean, I was luckier than most growing up in a beautiful big house, but I could never escape others. Every turn there was someone with something to say. I wondered what a change of scenery would feel like, a simple apartment with like two rooms and just me. I wondered if I would feel free or lonely.

"Here you go miss." The waiter pulled me out of my thoughts, placing the fresh bowl of hot pho in front of me.

"Thankyou." I smiled at the waiter, but the bowl in front of me quickly drew my attention back. "How good does this look?!" I gazed at Eren, who already got stuck into his meal.