EX-istential Crisis

Chapter 11: The Instrumental Reunion

Nelly sat in the university library, his eyes scanning the pages of a textbook, but none of the words were sticking. His mind was elsewhere, replaying moments from the night before with Mira. The scene he had set up at the tunnel, with the glowing bioluminescent plants and fireflies, had gone better than he could have imagined. Mira had been overjoyed, and the warmth of her touch as she held onto him still lingered.

Yet, something gnawed at him.

Nelly: Why can't I just be happy with how things are going?

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. The truth was, no matter how close he was getting to Mira, there were moments—fleeting, but undeniable—when he saw Miro in her. The way Mira's hair caught the light, or when she laughed in a way that reminded him of Miro. It was like his brain refused to let go of the past.

Shin plopped down in the seat across from him, holding two coffees and a smirk.

Shin: "Yo, earth to Nelly. You spacing out again, bro?"

Nelly forced a laugh, accepting the coffee Shin offered. "Yeah, sorry. Just got a lot on my mind. Wait.. why coffee.."

Shin raised an eyebrow. "A lot, huh? Or just a certain girl?"

Nelly chuckled but didn't deny it. "I guess."

Shin leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee. "Man, you've been acting weird lately. What's going on? I thought things were good between you and Mira."

Nelly hesitated. He hadn't really talked to anyone about the confusion he was feeling. "They are. I mean, she's great. I'm just...I don't know. It's like, every time I start to get close to her, I get these stupid flashbacks."

Shin frowned, setting down his coffee. "Flashbacks? Of Miro?"

Nelly nodded. "Yeah. It's like, no matter what I do, Miro's still in my head. And Mira... sometimes I see her, and she reminds me of Miro in these small ways. It's freaking me out, man."

Shin scratched his head, thinking. "That's rough, bro. But look, you're not with Miro anymore, right? And Mira isn't Miro. You gotta stop comparing them."

Nelly sighed, frustrated. "I know, I know. It's just...hard."

Shin patted him on the shoulder. "Take your time, man. Just don't mess it up with Mira by being stuck in the past. It might ruin your "friendship" with her"

Nelly smiled faintly. "Yeah, I'll try."

Nelly left the library, still mulling over Shin's advice. His head was a mess, and he needed some air. The university park was usually a good place to clear his mind. As he wandered towards the fountain, he noticed a crowd gathering, intrigued by something happening nearby.

There, at the edge of the fountain, was a familiar figure—Eremiya, one of Nelly's old friends, was sitting on the fountain's rim with a guitar in hand, belting out lyrics to some sad, nostalgic song. Coins were scattered in the fountain, and a few people were throwing more, likely thinking he was an actual street performer.

Nelly couldn't help but chuckle. This guy never changes.

Pulling out his phone, he quickly sent a message to the group chat:

Nelly: "Yo, guys. You won't believe this. Eremiya's out here doing his weird guitar thing again at the park fountain. You gotta see this."

Shin: "No way. That dude's still doing that? HAHA. I'm coming."

Dan: "Bro, say less. I'm on my way."