The Cold Summer Breeze

Rich Coats and Fake Dreams

Ethan Woods

I couldn't do it anymore. I tried my best, yet I was failing. This simply could be the worst situation someone could ever be into, you'd know what I meant if you knew Mr. Pinfold the Third. Yes! That was what he called himself even though we resided in the 21st century. Hands down he had to be the most boring person to ever live and I am the unluckiest one cause I had to attend his classes.

It was a stupendous task to concentrate on his lessons. If you were in my place you'd probably jump off from the third floor of our campus. See what I did there? ...

Anyhow, Mr. Pinfold the third was lecturing us on how the population needs to be controlled in order to improve the economy and I was smelling boredom. It was leading to absolute misery and pain for me. I needed to get out of there. I looked at my watch; it was twelve minutes past four, which meant that I had to bear Mr. Pinfold the Third for forty eight more minutes. Well, this was going to suck. I put my head down on the table, hoping that I would get some sleep and escape from this misery.

After the devastating hours of Mr. Pain In The Ass' lecture, he finally decided to spare us for our lives. I had to catch my shift at The Blue Café. Unlike many others, I didn't hate my job. I thought it was quite fun, indeed. I got to meet new people every day and interact closely with many regular ones as well. And of course my buddy Theo was going to be there. Later this evening, we would be going out to this dance show of the New York Academy of Dance, Theo scored the tickets for. I had never actually been to one, though they've always amazed me a lot.

Theo and I did not get along at first. One gloomy day he turned up to work and I had to show him around. Our first impression was a wreck. He was the kind of people my mom warned me about. However soon enough I got to know him better and best friends we became. Theo's parents are immigrants from South Africa and they are one of the kindest people I have met yet. There were times when I stayed at their place when my landlord kicked me out for not paying the rent. They were more than happy to take me in.

I stood quietly by the counter, waiting for the next customer. The Blue Café doesn't receive as many customers as the Starbucks on the other side of the road; but our customers were loyal, which actually made work a lot easier. Our customers varied from Bill the neighborhood drug dealer to Martha the CEO of LIVE magazine.

Theo was too busy bobbing his head to the rhythm of his new playlist, so my calls for him fell into blank. It must have been the 53rd time I called to him that he finally decided to grace me with his attention.

"So mom called this morning." I said and smiled instantly. I promise the smile was not intentional.

"Doesn't she always?" Theo replied with a blank face. He had some major issues with his expressions I swear to God! I smacked him lightly on his arm but he reacted as if I had cut off his arm, and threw a hissy fit. He was such a kid at times!

The day was calling it a night. The sudden darkness began to fall against the mesmerizing skyline making it the most beautiful silhouette in existence, at least to me it was. The scenery wasn't anything new to me but it still managed to amaze me every time my eyes fell on it. I guess it was the small things like these that make New York, "New York".

We were back at Theo's home, getting dressed for the show. He said it was a formal show and we needed to look our best. I put on the old tuxedo I had. Theo wanted us to look fresh and classy, as he wanted to impress the ladies; little did he know they were out of his league...like wayy out of his league.

"You know? I have a good feeling about tonight man." Theo said enthusiastically. "We gon' get into some o' those rich panties man." He chuckled; but I couldn't help but laugh at his ignorance.