Dream

Chapter Four

I strolled down the sidewalk, the pavement still covered from puddles from the previous night. The scent of light rain filled my nostrils as soft pinches of rain hit me as my clothing merely dampened.

"Find some friends?" I muttered under my breath. I slowly walked down the sidewalk, hands in my pockets. I'm almost to the University. Ever since my session earlier today, I've avoided my classes and sat outside in the park to think.

For the entire day, I've been thinking about how to make friends.

My whole life, my mind always wandered, into a world that didn't exist, a world that no one knew but me. And that world isolated me from reality, from family, from friends. But it was fine back then, it was okay. I remained optimistic and happy, although I sat alone at lunch in elementary, middle school, and highschool. I didn't think I was lonely. I wasn't alone. I was somewhere else. But it seems like no one understood that.

At campus, dozens of groups meet, talk, laugh.

Human interaction is so overrated; Who needs friends?

I stare at the ground and my shoes as I walk by all the small groups of people, navigating my way.

You know what's pretty cool? Turning something you drew-- Or some 2D object into a 3D one, one you can hold and interact with. It feels like, something in your fantasy becomes reality, like dreams that come true.

My mind wandered off, and was harshly pulled back to reality as I toppled over something-- or someone.

I sat up and rubbed my shoulder, a pain striking through it. Sitting up, someone said, "Oh, sorry." He picked up his boxes. "I'm really s-- Lilian!"

I looked up, Noah smiled at me as he held out his hand. Taking it, I smiled back queasily and said, "I'm sorry Noah,"

He pulled me to my feet, "It's okay. Hey, are you busy right now?" I shook my head. "I was just going to--"

"Great! The art club could use some help. We're taking some of the ordered supplies into the room." Noah began, handing me a box of paintbrushes.

I decided to help, carrying in dozens of boxes of pastels, paints, pencils, and other utensils inside.

By the time we finished, the club sat down at a table and interacted, leaving me awkwardly standing at the doorway watching.

It's not my fault I'm not good at socializing. I don't understand why people have to talk to others, unless they need something. There seems to be no fun in it, so what's the point? But everyone seemed to do it anyways. Then there's the minority (like me) who sit or stand alone, talking to no one, because they're shy or they're scared, or their mind is off in space. The lonely. The incompatible. The cowardly. People that just... Didn't fit in.

Noah glanced at me, quickly turning his attention away from the group, and to me. "Lilian! Want to join?" I shrugged and gave a faint smile. "I'm not in the art club. I shouldn't be involved in the conversations."

He stood up and walked to me, grabbing my hand. "Don't be silly! You're welcome to, come on!" He said, his grip tight and firm, as he pulled me towards the table.

He pulled up a chair beside his and ushered for me to sit, giving me an encouraging smile. I smiled back queasily and nodded, sitting down as the others continued the conversation.

Noah sat, "Hey, guys," he said to the others, hushing them until their attention was to him. "This is Lilian," he confirmed, pointing to me. "She'll be joining us. Guys, introduce yourselves."

We began with the guy on Noah's right. He had scruffy light blonde hair, it nearly looked white. His blue gray eyes flashed with humor, adding to his cocky grin. "Name's Tyler. I'm a Sophomore and I'm studying to become an animator. I've seen you in a few of my classes-- you're really noticeable when you scream after your nightmares, Lilian." My face heated up in embarrassment. "You're fun, I like you." Tyler grins happily as I relaxed. I thought he was going to list why he should hate me. The girl next to Tyler cleared her throat. She swished her long, curly dirty blonde hair and fluttered her brown eyes, which were coated with mascara and eyeliner, and a handful of bronze eye makeup. She smiled, but it seemed as if she had no effort to as she looked at me. "I'm Alexia. I'm a Junior studying photography. Noah is way better than me, though." She said, actually smiling as she turned to Noah and nudged his leg from under the table, as he chuckled. I checked her expression; I was pretty sure she had a crush on him, or she was dating him. I'm not completely sure, but I am 95% positive that there is something going on. "I'm not that good, Lexi." Noah retorted as he chuckled more. Alexia (or Lexi?) rolled her eyes, "Keep telling yourself that, Noah."