Antoine's Curious Collection of Arbitrary Short Stories

For Rent

This one is so boring, seriously? I waited for a whole year just so I could turn back and this one what I'm getting? Doesn't the bribe I get you all enough? Does my family need to kill a virgin just so you're greedy desires be satisfied? Stupid gods! I sighed after checking my body out. It doesn't even have a shape. Who would want to touch this ugly duck?

"Hello?" Someone asked.

Oh great. I forgot that I'm in a public restroom.

"Are you okay there?" The voice asked.

Based on the pitch of the voice it does sound like a voice from a man. What's a man doing in the girl restroom, anyway? And why does he even care?

"Yes I'm okay?" I said so he can fuck off.

"Are you sure? Someone told me that you've been there for an hour now? Is everything okay there miss?"

"Yes, and you can go now," he didn't reply.

I check myself again. Ugh. What's with this dress up. Who wore like this? Now I have to go back home to change clothes.

Damn it.

My parents who's missing me would definitely won't let me go out for tonight. What should I do?

"Miss do you need a medicine perhaps?" The guy at the back of the door whispers.

I sighed in disbelief. He's not going to stop. "I said I'm okay!" I opened the door.

Good gracious! I was about to open my mouth from what I'm seeing. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Calm down.

"So..." he said.

Dang! He looks good.

"I'm sorry to bother you, it just that someone.." he scratches the back of his head. He smiled shyly.

Is this a freebie? I ask the heavens.

"Sorry I just thought that something's off and that you need some help," he explained.

"No it's fine, I understand," I said. We stare at each other

"Okay... Do you want to drink? My treat," he offers after seconds of staring contest.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

It doesn't matter if he's just asking me because he felt sorry for the situation. All I can think of is that my family's coins are paying off. I can work this bitch off, I convinced myself.

We move to the counter and ordered some drinks. He really is doing this. Do I really look pathetic? He hands me some type of alcohol. We sat in silence. If only I look better then I won't be sitting here like a virgin.

"You're new here," he said, like he knows everyone who comes here.

"How's your experience so far?"

Bad. Really bad.

"It's okay," I lied then took a sip of drink afterwards.

"You can talk to me if you want to" he said not looking at me."

"You know talking to strangers with your problems is much easier than talking to the people you know, it works for me though" he suggests.

"Is that why you're here?" I tease.

"What? Hey, no, I work here but yeah I talk a lot to other people with stuff," he said defensively.

I laughed a little.

"Now you're laughing, it looks much better on you," he said it easy. Alright, this guy knows how to make it work.

"So you're working here, huh? Is that why you knew that I'm new here? Is your hobby observing people?" I asked.

"Hey, it's not intentional," he protests.

"I know, I know. I'm just teasing you."

He doesn't seem like a creepy fucktard anyway. He actually looks decent and easy to approach to.

"So what is it," He asks giving me this weird wary look.

"Are we talking about my problem again? Oh, you won't believe it," I said as a matter of fact.

"Bet"

I drink and didn't talk for a while. Is this where I'm going to waste my time? He just sat there waiting for me.

"What's your name?" I ask.

"Oh! Name, of course. I forgot to tell my name first. I'm William," he extended his hand.

I took it.

"And I'm anyone you can think of." he shook his head and smiled.

"William's my real name," he affirmed. I nodded in his innocence.

"Lets play a game, miss anyone-i-can-think-of" he emphasized.

"Since we're in a getting to know each other phase, how about we ask each other about anything and the one who didn't answer will drink this beer," he ask the bartender to get a beer he's talking.

"Okay I'm in."

I guess this is where my day will go.

"You start" he proposed.

"You don't seem at work today, so why are you here celebrating the day of the dead? Don't you have relatives or special ones to cherish and remember to?" I ask.

"You got me there," he laughs at his own game.

"Well we can say that you're right, I do of course have relatives who probably passed away already but the thing is I don't know them and they probably don't know me too." He drinks.

"I'm an orphan; the one who adopted me is, fortunately, still alive today, thanks the heavens. We're not close with our relatives, alive or dead. And I'm here because I don't have any place to spend my day to. I live alone now and don't really like the idea of being alone, so yeah. I'm here."

I was silent and still processing all the things he said. "I had a hunch that you may be feeling sorry about my background, but seriously I'm okay," He assured me.

"The reason why I'm here is because i don't like the idea of celebrating this day with flowers and scented candles, I want my day with music, beer and fun," I said honestly.

"Personal preference, I see" he considered.

We talk for a while. Started with stupid questions and then onto something more serious. And I can say that only if I could stay longer, I'll probably date this guy.

"You said that you're leaving? Like for good. Where is that then, can I visit sometimes?"

He's now drunk and looking like he's ready to fall asleep

"No, you don't want to. Going to my place is not that easy," he pouted.

"I should leave," I said.

"Can i get your number?" He asked. I laughed.

"I want to, but there's no phone in hell," I said after he blocked out. Goodbye William.

I woke up and was greeted with a throbbing pain in my head, it feels like breaking.

"Good that you're awake now," the old lady said.

I noticed that I'm lying in the side of the street beside the lady who's reading a newspaper. She seems like she lives there with bags and a stuff that surrounds her.

"Where am i?" I ask, confused. She shook her head.

"Someone probably rented your body and get where you are now." The lady jokes.