Playing With Fire || d.h

18. The Second Big Bang

Your POV

Sunlight pours into my room, instantly reminding me of how much I under appreciated the wall-sized window my apartment has. I lazily stretch, and check my phone, only to notice a text from Phil.

Hey! Dan and I were gonna see a silent film with a friend, but they ended up canceling, and we have one extra ticket. Wanna join us?

I feel like I haven't hung out with just Dan and Phil in ages, so of course my first reaction is definitely a yes. However, a second thought then comes to mind. Am I gonna be awkward because I can't act like a normal person around Dan? When the thought crosses my mind, I mentally give myself a scolding. He's your friend, you can't let stupid emotions get in the way of that. And it's not like it's only gonna be the two of us, so it's not that big of a deal.

Sure that sounds awesome! What time?

Cool beans! We'll get you from your apartment at 7, so make sure you're ready by then ;)

Lol, I will. See you then

I stretch a second time, and roll out of bed. I take a quick shower, blow dry my hair, and get dressed in faded blue jeans, a plain black top, and a pair of stained Converse. I pull my hair into a messy low bun, and apply light makeup. I take in my entire appearance in the mirror hanging from my door. Not bad, I think to myself.

I look at the clock on my phone, which reads 11:27. I had just gotten a paycheck from YouTube yesterday, so I decide I should treat myself to lunch, and maybe even go into a few new shops I haven't been to yet. It's supposed to be chilly out, so I grab a jacket and my bag, and head out the door.

I walk onto the sidewalk, taken by surprise from the intensity of the hustle and bustle of the street. Every time I leave, I can never get used to it. I head down the stairs to the Tube, also one of the most nerve wracking places I've ever been. I buy a ticket to Regent Street, and get on the noisy train. Luckily there's a seat open, so I plop down. I'm about to grab my headphones, but then realize I left them at home. The mingled sounds of assorted voices start to suffocate me, and I have to close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. Breath in for four, hold for seven, breath out for eight, I tell myself. Finally the train arrives, and I hurry from the train, incidentally pushing a few people out of my way, mumbling apologies sporadically. I step up the packed escalators, coming up on a street corner in front of Clydesdale Bank. I turn around, and am immediacy amazed as I see the Piccadilly Lights, blazing dozens of advertisements including Coke, Samsung, and TDK. I'm amused bu the amount of tourists taking photos of giant commercials.

I start walking down streets carelessly, until I find myself in Soho. I come across a cute bubble tea shop called Boba Jam. I walk in, and order hazelnut milk tea.

I pay for my drink, thank the cashier, and leave. I continue walking around town, stopping at a few cute shops and picking up anything that catches my eye. I see a tan dude with dreads down to his waist and dirty clothes playing a ukulele on the sidewalk. No one seems to not notice them as they pass by, talking on their phones, or to the people they're with, or just in their own little world. However, the ukulele guy doesn't seem to mind that no one else is noticing him, and he's in his own little world as well. His eyes tightly shut, he strums his ukulele passionately, playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from memory. I lean against the stone building, entranced by not only the ukulele but his musty voice as he starts singing. I'm overridden with contentment.

Before I realize it, I check my phone, and realize it's already 5:30. I hastily grab a five dollar bill from my wallet, and throw it into his open ukulele case. He nods his head in thanks at me, still continuing to play and sing, and I smile back at him. I head to the nearest underground, and hop into a train home. This time, I don't get caught up in the obnoxious public around me.