Chapter 1 - The City

My first month of living in the city has been nothing short of spectacular! I’ve always feared that I’d regret leaving my hometown, especially considering I’d be moving halfway across the country. Lingering anxieties plagued my mind for many years. What if I can’t land a good job? What happens if I can’t pay my bills? How am I going to meet new people? The list of worries went on and on. Luckily, life’s been wonderful. My workplace is amazing, the weather is beautiful, my new friends are awesome, and best of all, there’s a Dairy Queen on the bottom floor of my apartment building! What else could I ask for?!

I slumped my way out of bed, rubbed my eyes, and looked at my calendar.

“Oh yeah, today’s Sunday!” I muttered to myself.

Sunday is my ‘me’ day. Every Sunday, I try to experience something new. Last Sunday, I went to the city zoo for the first time. The Sunday prior, I got lost hiking in bear country! Thankfully, black bears aren’t too feisty. Otherwise, well, I’d probably be some lucky bear’s leftovers.

I cleaned myself up, gathered my belongings, and headed out the door. As I locked the door, I mapped out my plan for the day. First, I needed some food. After that, the city park was my next destination. In addition to seeing what the park had to offer, as well as soaking up some vitamin D, I also wanted to simply relax and crack open my new book.

Upon entering the breakfast hub, I was greeted by a rambunctious array of noises. I located an empty seat and sat myself down. The menu was sticky, emitting some sort of old coffee stench. Yuck.

After several minutes went by, I decided to poke my head around. Maybe I should wave somebody down? Before I made up my mind, a man with a bald head and more tattoos than I have strands of hair approached me.

“Want a coffee or anything?” He said, refusing to make eye contact.

“Water will do. I’m a bit of a caffeine hater. And I’m ready to order whenever.”

He took my order and headed back into the kitchen. To pass the time before my food arrived, I pulled out my phone. I responded to a few memes my friends had sent me, checked my emails, then took a sip of my water.

Nearly an hour had gone by. I knew it would be awhile before my food was prepared, but goodness was I bored. I decided to check my Fantasy Feeder profile. After lowering the brightness of my phone and checking over my shoulder, as if I was committing some sort of crime, I logged in and checked my messages. I see one of my friends from across the globe responded to a message I sent. Yippie! I read, respond, then put my phone away for good.

After a few more minutes, my food arrived. I snarf it down like a polar bear eating its first meal after hibernation. It was rather underwhelming, but oh well.

I approach the front desk and hand the lady my receipt. She glances at me, takes the receipt, and doesn’t mutter a word. I shrug it off and head to the park.

On my way to the park, I look up at that big ball of hydrogen & helium in the sky. It’s already afternoon?! How long was I at that breakfast place?! I slid my phone out from my pocket and checked the time. It’s nearly two o’clock, leaving just a few more hours of sunlight. I decided to skip out on my scenic walk in the park and sit down on an empty park bench. I pull out my book, wedge my bookmark between my fingertips, and read away.

After about ninety minutes, my focus begins to dwindle. I decide to pack up my things and head back to my apartment. Although this wasn’t the most enjoyable Sunday, it could’ve been worse. A mild wave of disappointment flows through me as I open the gargantuan glass door. I walk over to the elevator and push that glistening up-arrow button. The rumbling of the elevator grows as it reaches my floor. As that ever-famous ‘ding!’ rings, I prepare for the doors to open. As I ready my body to enter the elevator, a young woman, probably around my age, steps on my foot and stumbles forwards.

“Oh my gosh, I am SO sorry!” The young woman said apologetically. “Are you ok?”

Still looking at my now-muddied shoe, I proclaim, “Oh it’s fine, accidents happen-” I cut myself off before finishing my generic and boring response. It took no more than a nanosecond for me to lose my composure. This woman was beautiful. I’m talking drop-dead gorgeous! Her long-blonde hair wrapped around her neck like a scarf. The light beamed directly into her bright-blue eyes. And to put the cherry on top, she even had a cute birthmark on the side of her neck. I was in awe.

I quickly start trying to be humorous. My heart rate doubled since the moment prior. “Actually, on second thought, I’m suing you for damages to my shoe!”

She gives a pity chuckle and looks towards the elevator. Dammit, swing and a miss.

As she walks into the elevator, she says, “Even if I gave you all the money in my bank account, you still wouldn’t even be able to afford a new pair of shoes.”

I walk into the elevator and stand adjacent to her. “Don’t worry, I’m just kidding. The legal system in this country is a pain in the butt anyways.” What the hell am I saying? I look up, scratch my scruff, and giggle at my ridiculous and obscene comment.

“Yeah.” She says in a mundane tone. Yep, I’m definitely fumbling. “What floor are you going to?” She asks politely.
“I’m on floor seven.” I say blankly as I look at the wall in front of me.

“Oh cool, I’m on floor eight.” She says, glancing over to me.

Was that a hint? Is she just being nice? Should I have made eye contact instead of looking at the wall like a doofus? Screw it, I should say something back.

“That’s a pretty neat coincidence! Eleven stories and we’re only one apart!” I say with a slightly goofy intonation. Ew. That was more cringe than the last thing I said. Can this elevator rise any faster?!

I see in my peripheral vision that she pulled out her phone. I do the same, because I wouldn't want to be awkward, right? Ugh, I’m already being awkward and cringe as hell. I haven’t talked to a girl my age in what feels like months. I’m starting to think my muscle memory doesn’t apply to situations like this.

The elevator pops open and I walk out. I turn halfway around on my way out and say, “Nice meeting you!”

She looks up from her phone which appears to be encased in a solar system-themed phone case. “Oh, you too!” The elevator door closes shut.

As I head back to my room, part of me is enraged. Why did I have to be so damn awkward!? I continuously replay the encounter with the girl over and over until I finally am too exhausted to think. I climb into bed, put in my retainer, and watch my favorite streamer, ‘Caseoh’, until my mind drifts off into dreamland. Surely, tomorrow will be better.