Escape my reality

Chapter 4

The rest of the week had went by in a blur, I hadn't seen Ajani either not during class nor lunch breaks. I tried not to care about it too much, but it still frustrated me that he disappeared out of the blue like that. I didn't even understand why it bothered me so much. 

It was friday and I had spent the entire evening sorting out books in the library. My shift was ending soon and I was just putting the last books back in place, when I made eye contact with someone through the bookshelves. Those brown eyes, they looked familiar, I realized it was Ajani and quickly got up from my position, he did the same.

"Hey Tsuki, what are you doing here?"

"I work here?"

It came out as a question, I literally wanted to bang my head against the bookshelf in front of me for acting so awkward.

Ajani's eyes got even bigger when he heard this and then walked around the bookshelf until he was standing next to me. I turned around a bit to face him. Even though I was 5'5 I still had to look up, he was very tall.

"I expected nothing else from you," he said with a small smile.

"How would you even know, we don't exactly know each other that well."

"You're right about that, I was thinking about that too this week."

I raised my left eyebrow at him. "Right, you weren't even in class this entire week, did you disappear from earth or something and decided to take a trip to the moon?"

He chuckled at this, his laugh was contagious and I couldn't help but smile back.

"You know Tsuki, I was actually on my way to my favourite spot here in Chicago, care to join me?"

"Where and what exactly is this place?"

"Well, it might sound odd but it's a rooftop, I always go there and just chill to look at our magnificent city and appreciate the city lights and stars," he said. Was he being sarcastic about the 'magnificent city' part? I searched his face, but his expression was gone before I could read it.

"You probably don't believe me, but it's true, look." He lifted up his arm and I finally saw the camera he was holding in his hand. "I wanted to get some some good shots of the night sky today, it's full moon so it's perfect."

I had heard enough and didn't hesitate one bit: the night sky and photography, two of my favourite things.

"Okay, I'll join you, just give me ten minutes that's when my shift ends."

He looked happy and his expression held a bit of surprise too, I guess he didn't expect me to join him. I didn't blame him though, I was surprised myself, but it came so naturally.

"Yes that's fine, come the the parking lot when you're done we can take my car."

I quickly finished up my work and went to the parking lot like Ajani had told me to do. Was I really doing this? The answer was loud and clear: yes.

---

The entire car ride Ajani kept asking me questions. At first I felt shy as per usual, but Ajani was such a calm soul, it was impossible to feel out of place when I was with him. I barely even knew this boy and yet here I am on my way to a rooftop with him.

"Were you born here?"

"Yes, my siblings and I were all born and raised in Chicago my parents came to America as immigrants though."

"Have you ever been to Japan?"

"No, but I would love to go one day."

"Are you fluent in Japanese?"