-[5:00 PM]-
The sound of footsteps scraping on warm concrete and the polluting buzz of traffic suffocates you as you walk past graffiti smeared alleyways on your way home from work at a nearby business. Briefcase in hand, your arm tires and your head aches from the pressure of a 9 to 5 work day weighing on your shoulders. However, that wasn't the only pressure making your head ache, as a storm was brewing in the distance.
-[5:30 PM]-
Overhead, ominous storm clouds were rolling in, making you anxious to get home to your small city apartment before a torrential downpour. How terrible it was that you were still five minutes from the complex when you could hear the pit pat of rain a short distance away. You tried to run but it was a lost effort as the raindrops began to tap the brim of your hat. You decided to take off your heels and run the rest of the way barefoot. The rain and wind picked up stronger and by the time you entered the door of the complex, your outfit was sopping wet and dripping all over the floor.
-[6:00 PM]-
Your wet clothes sticking to your skin made you feel so cold and uncomfortable that you rushed to find the key to your apartment, but you couldn't seem to find it in your briefcase. You felt around the pockets of your trousers until you heard a familiar metallic jingle and let out a sigh of relief. You shoved the key into the lock—albeit a little too aggressively— and slammed the door shut behind you as you ran to your shower to undress and relax in the warm water. With the squeak of an old rusting faucet handle, the water began to run and you hopped in the shower, sliding to the floor in exhaustion. You closed your eyes and let the hot water and steam envelop you...
-[6:30 PM]-
Skin tinted pink and fingertips wrinkly as raisins, you made your way to your bedroom dresser to search for a more comfortable outfit to wear as the sun slowly set outside. You decided on a {comfortable skirt/sweatpants} with a graphic t-shirt tucked in nicely. You slipped on some fluffy socks as you sluggishly made your way to the refrigerator, afraid to see the contents inside. As expected, you had the bare minimum, just some milk and juice, eggs, bacon, and very few fruits and vegetables— most of your diet was hiding in the pantry in preserved cans and bags— but your fresh food was about to spoil so you grabbed a few things to cook. After listening to the frustratingly loud clatter of trying to get a frying pan out of the cupboard, you heated the gas stove with a click and listened to the satisfying sound of the burning fire. With a drizzle of oil, you fried an egg, over-easy, and some bacon sizzled on the side. The smell of the bacon made your mouth water as you placed your cooked food on a glass plate with a sliced white peach on the side.
-[7:00 PM]-
Outside your large glass windows facing the city, you could see the sun just barely peeking over the horizon between a few skyscrapers. You made your way onto your small balcony overlooking the downtown and sat down on a small bench, observing your surroundings. The storm from an hour earlier had passed, leaving beautiful partially cloudy skies and the distinct scent of wet pavement filled the air. Strangely it was one of your favorite smells, but you could never understand or explain why. The smell of your shampoo mixed with the wet pavement scent and the cool summer night's breeze was almost too much, it brought nostalgic feelings. Nostalgia of what, you may ask? I don't know, nor do you— it was almost a false feeling, one that we all frequently feel without realizing. Perhaps you recognize it as the feeling you get when you listen to your favorite song and it takes you to a place you have never once been. You wish you could live the fancy nightlife, going clubbing and drinking expensive alcoholic beverages with your friends in your luxury penthouse... but no, you were stuck in your small city apartment. However, that was enough for you. You try to make the best of everyday and live your own fantasy. Your seemingly small life may be a huge dream of someone elsewhere.
-[7:30 PM]-
Nothing feels the same as feeling a warm breeze flow against your skin as you listen to bustling crowds enjoy the Tokyo nightlife scenery from way above, without them paying you any attention. You could watch people enter and exit the shops down on ground level for as long as you wanted, but you decided to go back inside. The gorgeous window view of the neon signs lighting up the city of Tokyo along with a faint fog and the glistening wet sidewalks was enough for you. The muffled tapping of your footsteps traveled across the room, leading to your old record player. People don't seem to use them very much anymore, but it's your favorite possession. There is something so nostalgic about record players that you would much rather use one over a CD player. You sorted through your box of vinyls, looking for your favorite city pop records to put on the player. Who needs ceiling lights when you have secret colored lights under your bed that really pop at night? You clicked the mouse of your laptop trying to set up the lighting configuration, and suddenly the apartment lit up in fantastic neon colors, Changing from blues to greens, pinks to purples, et cetera, the lights synced to the beat of the record playing across the room. You laid on your back daydreaming for a few minutes on your bed, absorbed in your thoughts, until you stood up and began to dance. You danced and danced under the neon lights of the city until you couldn't anymore. Plopping onto your soft cozy blankets, you wrapped yourself up and fell fast asleep, music still playing, as you dreamed of dancing in the 80's... better times, perhaps? I'm not so sure, thats for you to decide.
