What Lies Above The Universe

                                                                                                                                                                                    Chapter 1 Stranger Euphoria is what I always feel whenever I see stars at night. I just admire them like they’re the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in the whole universe. Sometimes I count them, even if I knew that they’re infinite. And whenever I see them shining above, I can feel like I’m safe. No judgments, no strange feelings, just deep thoughts and endless happiness. On the other hand, I always make myself believe that somehow, the universe is also responsible of the things that are happening around me. I do believe in destiny, just like how the universe conspired to make things happen the way it should be. And I never knew that destiny has something to do with meeting someone, someone who will take a bigger part of my life, and my heart at the same time. It was Saturday afternoon, just a normal day for me. The sun is shining with a raging heat, cars are occupying the streets and the people are walking, passing by each other, like complete strangers. I am inside an old bookstore located beside my favorite café. I usually treat myself a book every week. I can read a whole novel in a span of days, and buying a book during weekend is a normal thing for me to do. Don’t get me wrong, my life is not boring at all. I just love reading, it gives me freedom, adventures and it gives me connection to deeper things. I was slowly passing by the Romance corner, where romantic novels are, a book made me stopped and picked it. “The Little Prince,” I mumbled. At first I thought it was really a romantic novel, but then after reading the first part, I stopped. The book is not really a novel for adults. I think it’s a book for kids. I was about to put it back in the shelf when a man spoke beside me. “Nice pick,” he said. I turned my gaze towards him. He’s not looking at me, but we are the only person in this corner. I don’t want to assume that he’s talking to me, so I went back on searching. “The book,” he looked at me and pointed the book I picked earlier. “You should buy that one,” he said, smiling like he knows me. “I don’t read children’s book,” I frankly said. I don’t know what’s wrong with what I have said, but it made him smile. I bet he’s trying to restrain himself from laughing. “Have you heard the saying, don’t judge a book by its cover?” he leaned closer to me and took the book. “I have read this book a hundred times already. This is a masterpiece, a self-awakening, and a very inspirational book. I bet you can’t stop reading after finishing a single chapter,” his voice is full of assertion, like he’s stating a fact without needing any supporting details. The guy I am talking to is tall. His muscles are well-developed for a teenager. In a first glance you’ll probably think that he is a student athlete, well, that’s what I thought because of his appearance. He got a gym bag, a shirt with a football design and very sporty shoes. He looks like a typical guy that you can see inside a gym, or in a football field, not inside an old bookstore where nerds like me are located. His eyes are deeply black, like a black hole, it makes a great gravitational pull to make me look at it. “Uh, I’m not really familiar with that book, and the author,” I answered him. Now he’s keeping the book on both of his hands, like it’s a very precious thing that he owns. His eyes darted on me and back onto the book, he’s trying to think something. Seconds later, he smiled and gestured his hand. “Wait here,” he said and walked out. Talking with strangers is not really my thing. I mean, who would dare to have a small conversation with a stranger? It’s a bit awkward and embarrassing. But something inside me keeps on saying that I should talk to him, and I feel strange because of this. “Weird,” I softly said and went back on searching a book. I went towards the Fantasy corner, trying to explore other books. I am not really picky when it comes to reading. Give me a book and I’ll read it, no matter how short or how thick it is. Books are just so precious, like stars at night, they’re worthy to admire and love. Some people even say that there are lots of books that are not worthy to be kept, or read. And I always answer them with ‘If you don’t like the book, put it back inside the shelf, someone will like it, and it will be worth the read’. “Hey.” The man I met earlier is now standing in front of me, holding a paper bag which I think holds the book that he wanted me to pick. He’s wearing his cunning smile again, like it’s a normal thing for him to do whenever he’s talking to someone. “I can’t accept that,” I said firmly. “This is a good book. Everyone should read this, including you.” I bit my lower lip because of confusion. He is a total stranger to me. Even if he looks familiar, I still can’t believe that he’s handing me a book. Accepting things from strangers is a big NO for me. Well, at least that’s what my Mother taught me, and my brother Tim. “Okay, if you think that this is weird and absurd, I’ll give you my name and my number.” He hurriedly picked up a sticky note and a pen from his bag. He’s actually writing his name and his number on it. What the heck is happening? “There,” he handed me the paper bag with the sticky note attached to it. Miguel 9354-437-7849 I was about to thank him but he disappeared and left me. I looked at his sticky note and was actually mesmerized by his penmanship. I shrugged my shoulders and headed towards the exit. I fished out my phone and started saving his number, I even tried to compose a text but I deleted it eventually. I’ll go home first and text him inside my room. I took a cab and sat on the passenger’s seat. The driver is a bit young and the aroma inside is comfy. The music in the stereo is from Shawn Mendes’ album. I looked out the window and saw the enormous buildings. The edges are sharp, well-developed and furnished. Lake Middleton is becoming a very modern urban city, where technologies are advancing and people rely more to the convenient use of gadgets. Well, I still prefer some books from shops, rather than reading it online. The bookstore is a 15 minutes ride from home, but still depends on the traffic during rush hours. I went out the cab after paying the driver. I hurriedly went inside our house and saw Tim watching his favourite football team. “You’re early today, did a miracle happen?” he said sarcastically. “An angel went down from heaven and showed herself to a lazy man who’s watching his favourite game for a hundred times.” I replied. “Freak,” he shook his head and laugh a bit. My brother Tim is a famous member of a football team in Middleton High. Our school is well-known because of its various awards from sports and academic contests. I, myself is one of the top players in Quiz bees. I received a lot of trophies and medals because of winning from other schools. But, I am not a renowned student when it comes to this---people in Middleton High loves the football team than any other things in school. They are the pride of MD for so many years and they value them a lot. The uneven recognition that I received from my teachers is an advantage for me, because I want to keep myself away from any spotlights that might ruin my existence. Though, I still am thinking if I really do exist. I went up the stairs and went straight to my room. I sat up on the edge of my bed and took out the paper bag. The tape that was used to secure it is about to lose its grip, so I took it out using my hand. I feel a little bit anxious after taking out the book. It gives me shivers down my spine and something inside me is building up. I want to remind myself that the book was given to me by a stranger and I should have not accepted it. But, it feels like my hand has its own control because I found myself typing something in my phone. To M : Thank you for the book. -stranger I know, I’m not good in choosing words. You can’t blame me. I only have my parent’s phone numbers and my brother Tim in my list of contacts, including the emergency numbers. I’m not used to text some random guys, especially without Tim’s approval, he is very strict and always had his eyes upon me. I sent out the message and rested myself above my bed. There’s a probability that he might text back, but I’m not planning to reply. I think a thank you is enough for that unexpected encounter, or is it?