Mathew's Story

Part Eight

I woke up breathing hard, frightened out of my mind for a minute. Someone was knocking on the door for real, so without thinking I walked over to answer it. I looked out the peephole and was relieved to see it was just Debbie at the door. I opened up the door and let her in then closed it behind her while keeping it between me and anyone who might be out in the hall looking this way.

“I heard you cry out a moment ago. Are you alright Mathew?” “Bad dream is all. I cut it too close coming back in this morning and I think I may have been spotted briefly. I think that's what caused my nightmare.” I told her all about it and she looked at me and then hugged me. “It was just a nightmare is all. Next time you go out flying, make sure the timer on your watch is set to remind you to turn around again with enough time to easily get back before sunrise. I have to get going now so I can get to my labs on time.

Samantha asked me to check on you before labs since I have an almost full hour break and her largest break today is only ten minutes. I also recommend you find someplace to play your flute for a while. It always helps to calm you down and relax you. I'll keep an ear open for anyone saying anything as well and let you know what I find in a few days. Be careful and don't get her pregnant until after you pop the question.”

She laughed as I threw a pillow at her and hit her with it when she tried to dodge. I decided that Debbie was right so I got a shirt on and grabbed my flute. I needed someplace quiet so I made my way across the campus to the big oak tree where I could have plenty of fresh air and could play where no one was likely to hear over the noise of everyone else and the traffic not far off.

I sat down on a bench under the tree and when the area was empty of students and faculty, I began to play. I let the music take over my body and soon lost myself to the music I was playing. I always loved playing like this as it helped to relax me and to pass the time for me. Today was no exception as I played and lost myself to the music.

I don't know how long I played but when I stopped I felt much better. I was surprised to see so many students sitting in the grass listening to me play. There were even a number of faculty listening to me play and it surprised me they could hear me over all the noise I was able to hear from other students and traffic from the road a block away.

I decided to not let the surprise of seeing so many people stop me from enjoying my music so I started playing again and let the music take over as always. I never noticed Samantha until after I finally stopped playing and was about to stand up and leave. She walked up to me, smiling and then kissed me without caring who saw us together. I returned the kiss and walked off with my arm around her and her arm around me.

Several of the girls in the audience watched as the two of us walked off together and returned to the dorm room. As soon as it became clear I was done playing for now then the audience slowly broke up. We were stopped almost at our dorm building by Debbie. “So have you two heard the latest crazy rumor circulating campus today?

It seems that a couple of the people here have, on multiple occasions, seen someone with huge wings flying around the area. Of course we know people don't really have wings and can't really fly but I thought you'd get a chuckle out of it. I think that some guys in the engineering department are playing pranks with their lasers and stuff again.”