Hong Kong Baby

Part 1

Water embraced my form as I crawled through it. Stroke, breath, stroke, breath. It was not really cool, the water. The day was way too warm for such. My mind was focused on the motion of getting from one end to another and in that moment everything was perfect. I did not really care for too much speed. I was only doing this for myself.

At the shallow end of the pool I had to adjust my goggles. Sun shone too brightly and the noise of the other students was a bit depressing. I instantly regretted breaking my one mile routine. Underwater peace was what I needed. On dry land I felt only half like myself.

Few meters away from me, there were two boys climbing down to the pool. They were loud, of course. People in this city were rather quiet in general, but these university boys just couldn't keep their voices down.

"Totally unnecessary. I'm only doing it to get enough points to stay in halls for another semester."

He was tall. I tried not to look but the wide shoulders and lean figure were something difficult to ignore. This boy surely swam a lot. I could respect that.

"I suppose it's better than having to be in some policy team organising LGBT events..." the other boy started. He was pretty much ignored.

"I mean, what am I supposed to write in the volunteering log? Who even has difficulties making friends at university? You bond with the first person you see! The first person in the same elevator, same hall, same classroom... Everyone is so desperate to befriend someone it's impossible not to make any friends. Do you have friends?" He was asking the other boy. I didn't care to listen to this for much longer, so I put my goggles back on and prepared to kick off the wall and into the beautiful blue surrounding me. Then, however, the tall boy turned towards me.

"And you, do you have friends at Uni?"

"Nope."

The word was out of my mouth before I knew it.

Then I pressed my head in the water again. I could feel his gaze on me, but it didn't matter. I still had half a mile to go.

*

The boy was outside the pool entrance when I exited the changing room. I recognised him solely from his form: he towered quite a bit above your standard student. His hair was dyed reddish brown and it glistened slightly in the sun. He wore a white t-shirt, brown shorts and flip-flops, pretty much like half of the student population on hot August days. He had also a necklace, but I couldn't make out any details. Not that I wanted to. I was too busy trying to walk by.

"Hey."

My stomach grumbled. I could get a snack from the canteen. Canteen food was terrible, but I was not really good at food shopping yet. Sometimes I would see these groups of students bringing in bags full of groceries and then cooking together. They seemed so mature to me.

I started heading towards the catering building. Maybe a sweet bun would do for a quick snack. They were pretty horrible, but I had learned not to be picky in the past two weeks.

"Hey!"

Maybe if I ate enough, I wouldn't have to come out of my room again today. I hated having dinner alone. Or any other meals.

Then, suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and I had to stop. I stared at the hand, shocked. Where did that come from? Why was someone touching me? I looked up. It was the swimmer boy.

"Why aren't you listening to me?"

I was still frozen. He let his hand go.

"What?" I was wary.

"Why do you not have any friends?"

Who asks that sort of questions! I was about to walk away, but he rushed in front of me. I think people passing us were staring. I took a hesitant step to go around him.