“Hey,” I open the bedroom door of Kim's and insert my head in.She has one earphone on while writing something on a notebook. “Yeah?” She looks up, reaching to her phone, I'm assuming she's pausing the song, without letting go of my eyes.“I didn't know you're getting into writing now.” I open the door further wide and step in.She puts on a knowingly smile. “It's because you're always out partying.” She then rolls her out. Its a quick change of mood. I don't get girls nowadays. “Because I have more friends now than I did before.” I reason out which is I know she considers lame.“You were better off with one friend than twenty, Simon. Trust me.” She looks away and plays the song the again.“Whatever. Hey, I won't be back until lunch today. I will be having a picnic with Era in the beach.” “What?” She exlaims. “You and Era? Without me?” She presses her palms on her chest on a lame dramatic level. I hold the knob ready to close it. “Yes, without you 'cause you're annoying.”“Wait, wa
“Kim!” The house is so quiet. I stumble to her empty room like every corner of this house is dark and lonely. “Kim!” I go back downstairs and struggling to compose myself on the stairs. I keoe falling on on effect and then finally I reach the living room. There is the same darkness I follow. I had ten or perhaps fifteen beers tonight. It's not that much. I'm still pissed at the way Era is acting earlier. She can't blame me if I have to walk away. She's right. She didn't know me anymore. I already told her that. I kept thinking about her statement. Until I come to realize that telling me that is just the simplest other way she can do to tell me she doesn't like me anymore. She doesn't like my drinking my happiness my voice, my presence. She hates me now and I understand that she feels that way. You really can't like someone the same way you did. “Where have you been?” She asks. “Where's mom?” I fall to the single couch behind me.Kim give me a sturdy look in the eyes. “She's out o
There's a knock on the door. I think someone just threw a rock on my window. What time is it? Did I fell asleep waiting for Simon to come back? Actually, I did. “Era?” I think that Kim's soft delicate voice repeats.It's hers. I immediately swat away the covers and push myself out of the bed, immediately. When I open the door, her face is filled with worry. “What's wrong? Is everything okay?”“Yeah. It's Simon. He's vomiting all around his room. He's calling you name. I don't know what to do. I don't want to wake up or your father but he's just out of my control. Can you...” “Of course, let me grab my phone.” I hurry dostairs alsmot stumbling on the steps. I don't feel really that worried as much as Kim, because I know he's drunk and this is just one of those moment where his venting out. But I hope not that worse. When we get to his bedroom, he's sitting on the floor with his vomit next to him. His eyes are closed and dreary. He looks gross and exhausted from tonight. He said h
TWO WEEKS LATER I stare at the glass window of the coffee shop. There ain't much people coming in. I know that we're supposed to be closing up this afternoon. I don't know why. I've been asking the other staffs, but they never said an accurate answer. They were reluctant in telling me. It's not kike I really need to know, I was curious. “There was an issue last week with a customer.” One of my guy coworker said to me as he was about to take off he's apron. I nod simply, “Oh that. That's horrible. Do you think we would lost this shop?” “That's what I heard. They are closing this for a year and if the issue resolves, then it'll come back,” Patrick, his name is, he's taller than me a few inches. Cute and simple. He always wears black. I've kawya wanted to ask why only black. “Is that true?” I quickly give myself a worried rub on the forehead. “What about us?” “I don't know much. They say it'll probably open again but they will move it in another town.” Patrick doesn
The shop didn't close up early. In fact I just finished my shift. I take one final look outside to see if I could see him. I saw Simon's car drive by a few minutes ago but I couldn't see him outside. Although, I tried to see him but I just got busy with the customers. It pretty gets crazy during the end of my shift. During golden hours. It's always like that with workers, teenagers and couples. Sometimes I mostly serve to young women. I love watching them walk in from works, school or somewhere busy. It lead me to the idea of myself walking to the coffee shops like these with my laptop on my arms and then I would have my car keys clinging to one finger. I would look at the sun outside. I would smile at the server. Get my cup of coffee and sip it outside the sunny breezy day. It would be busy at the office but it would be fun. I always look forward to those dreams I'm still holding in my heart. Dreams that nobody knows but me. Hoping one day, I'll get there. In an office skirt, with
“What's up with you, man?” John slaps my arms but it doesn't hurt me. “Are you okay?” He take the best next to me and places his arms around my shoulders.I don't answer him. I just stare again at the wall in front of me. I have a question about where did I go wrong? But it's never something I could open up to somebody here. I only open up to Era but she's done with me. Like really done. Wanting to get rid of me.I couldn't forget her words earlier, “I just want to live my life the way I should. Don't keep messing it up.” When did I start messing up her life? Why she never told me? Why she looks happy every time we're together? She laughs at everything I say. She smiles. These are not made up tales. I know enough she was happy with me. We enjoyed the time we spend with each other. Or was it all fake? I know that I was watching her enjoy when we talk in silence or in words. She doesn't complain. She never did. So, when did I start messing with her life?Was I a bug that unable her to
Green light turns to red. Red turns to every color I have known. The music blasting loud that I have to cover my ear with my hands to block them out. Thankfully, I found some cups, I assumed untouched, from the kitchen counter before I proceed my way to the back of the house where there is a round empty pool.I take the empty chair beside it and start drinking the cup with my legs settling on the small square table. It's water. I laugh over my stupidity. That's why it's not touched because it's water.It's quite more peaceful here. I wish we have a pool like this in our backyard so I could have more moments like these everytime I go home from work. I touch my gaze to the sky and the stars are like diamonds that no one could ever own. Nobody could own something that is just too far away, to something untouchable. The door pushes open, revealing Cooper. When I was talking to him earlier, he's funny and outgoing. He vibes in and then goes silent so quickly. When his eyes finds me, it's
Cooper surprises me for the last three hours. It's five pm. I got out from shift earlier than I used to. I have Patrick as my substitute. He's staying for another over time. I hope I can call him as a friend now. A hardworking, and considerate friend is what I need right now. When I exited the shop, Cooper is already standing outside the shop. It was on the exact same spot where Simon used to be.We drove right to the dress store so I can change since I didn't really think of preparing. Last night, I felt differed after Simon and I talked in the pool. I watched him left me again. His head was down and it's like the saddest thing I saw. “What about this dress?” Cooper lifts the blue ocean dress in the air. I snap out of thoughts for the tenth time today. I couldn't get him off of my mind.I smile at the beautiful dress. It ties around the neck and it has a V-neck display on the front. “She's perfect.” I grab it from him. Cooper dearly smiles at reaction. “Let me see the price,” I loo