Tidefall's Song

Part I | Brooding

"This is the bad before the worse.
This is the storm before the storm
I haven't even hit the bottom of this ocean floor.
This is the bend before the break.
This is the mercy not the grace.
This is the proof and not the faith I try to find.
There shouldn't be a good in goodbye."

-Jason Walker, 'Shouldn't be a Good in Goodbye'.

•••

Being almost alone in a 7-Eleven sipping hot chocolate was not how I plan to spend my night, but it provided me a place to brood that was neither quiet nor loud. There were not many customers in sight and only the occasional beeping and vibration of the machines as well as the fits of giggles from the cashiers broke the silent atmosphere in the convenience store.

For some reason, I really love to wallow in my thoughts and bask in the pain that my thoughts would bring every now and then - I must've grown accustomed to pain. I would've been a masochist had I not fear gore, but that's not the point.

The point is, I'm in pain because I've broken up with the first person who actually likes me back. Or liked, in this case.

I'm not ready to use past tense to refer to our relationship, but there is absolutely nothing I can do. Fate works in ways no man can alter unless they make the choice. I had had a rough day and I'm sick of being at home. My family questions too much and I, albeit appreciating their concern for me, disliked it. Not that I can tell them what my exact problems were since I know the dangers of doing so. It's either you tell them and have them interrogate you more, or keep your silence and peace in balance.

I was about to take another sip of my hot chocolate when a certain young man in black leather jacket walked into the same convenience store as I was in. He did not seem to notice me, so I studied him carefully as I always do to strangers.

Hey, call me weird, but I love doing that.

There was only a small smile playing on his lips as he paid for his cup of instant noodles. He had a rough look on him, and he seemed to have a rough day as well. Well, I guess that makes the two of us then. But you can never judge a book by its cover, no, no.

He caught me staring at him and his smile grew a little wider. It was not the kind of smile a pervert would give, but rather one of genuinity and friendliness. I gave him a smile of mine and quickly turn away to avoid staring at him more.

That was, until he tapped on my shoulder.

"May I sit here? There are only two tables in here and the other one's occupied by two hobos anyway," the stranger from earlier asked.

"Sure," I said.

"Thanks," he said appreciatively before placing his cup of noodles on the table and folding his arms.

I took a wanted sip of my drink and pretended to be deep in thought to avoid talking to him. But alas, he just had to break the very much wanted silence.

"What's your name?" He asked.

Is he serious now?

"Should I tell you mine? Don't your parents warn you about stranger danger?" I replied.

He smirked. "I caught you staring at me, and it's only appropriate if you would tell me your name. It's not like I'd do a research based on your name and find out where you live so that I can kidnap you."