Awakened Soul

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"That was close!"

"I can't believe you did that, bro." I said while escorting him out from the office.

"He looks ugly when he gets really mad." he said.

"He's gay. I bet he likes you bro." I teased him.

"Get off of me." he hissed

"You started." I told him. "We should be more careful cause' I'm sure he won't have a second thought to kick us in the butt next time!"

"You mean 'kick us off from this school bro." he corrected.

Abruptly, we heard a voice somewhere, not from far. We caught her attention by waving her hand among the crowd. She was with a guy who seems to look like Todd.

"Over here!

It took us hour before we finally arrived at Embarcadero (we rode on Kyle's newly purchased Vios car - a gift from his mom on his birthday two days ago) but, we still have to go on foot which will take us less than half an hour to get to Boulevard-what most people call it the purό. This place is very popular in the city to its scenery. A lot of student from different schools and universities would be seen around here during weekdays.

The place is getting dark. Number of stars can almost be seen in the sky. The wind is cold; blowing from the sea.

"There."

She pointed a cabin which made out from bamboo that has colorful light on the outside. Just by seeing on them, one will surely be attempted to go in.

"Are you okay with that?"

"Kyle . . . looks like a lot of people are already in there." said Todd looking around with hesitation.

"I know...which means that would be so much fun, right Nyx?" he answered.

"Absolutely"

"Ross?" Kyle asked.

"It's okay with me. The place looks good and safe anyway."

We went inside the cabin. It was loud. People seem to be having fun while having a drink on their tables. We ordered a beer for each one of us and then we had a best food they could ever offer- the sizzling.

"This feels so good. I don't know when this will happen again." said Kyle while taking his bottle of beer.

"We can do this anytime if you want." Nyx said looking at me and smiling.

"Yet I feel anxious having fun while our professors are keeping our agony."

"You are right there. But come on, just this time bro." Kyle agrees with Todd.

"You don't seem to have difficulties in class, by the way. You are the smartest!

"W-wait.. Nyx! W-what are you doing!?

"Todd, I'm taking off your glasses! she said.

"Woahhh..." they said. I just keep looking at them and not saying anything. Todd looks really attractive after seeing him without his glasses on for the first time.

"Ross, what's.. in your.. head? You are so silent!" Nyx was looking like a ripe tomato already because her face was so red. She sounded a bit tipsy.

"I'm⎼"

"He's pondering about when he's going to get a serious woman to his life!" Kyle pushed me a little as if he's trying to put a joke on me.

"Funny."

"I think you need to put Todd's glasses on so you will have a clearer vision." He whispers to my ear. "She likes you bro."

"Ross..."

"Nyx. You're drunk."

"Please take this.."

"I'm good. I've had enough." I took away the bottle of beer from her hand and put it on the table. Then I smile back to her. "Please excuse me. I need to go to the toilet." I told her.

Immediately, I stood up then I went straight to the toilet. I wash my face with cold water in the faucet. I look in the mirror for a moment..

Message:

l'll message you when I'm coming home.

Oh, shoot!

In a blink, I exited the toilet room as fast as I can. I searched my friends among the tables and once I catch their attention, I'll show to them my phone and say "Moxie" which will give them an impression that I will give a phone call to Moxie.

"Ross, where are you?"

"My goodness! Moxie, I'm sorry." I apologize. "I forgot to tell you I was gonna be out with my friends today. I was supposed to tell you before but Kyle and I were in the⎼"

"It's okay. Are you not coming home yet?" her voice trembles.

"I will be home in few hours." I told her. "Is everything okay?"

Yeah... Oh wait! He's here⎼"

Then she dropped the call.

I look at the place where my friends are. They seem to be having so much fun than I do. So, instead of going back onto their table, I decided to cross the street to have a better look at the sea and feel the cold air.

I leap off my feet from the seawall. It

wasn't that high - making it easier for me to reach the ground. The sweet air brushes on my skin. I look at the sky and gaze upon the moon that is always there which reminds me how lonely my life is. I took out my sketch pad inside my bag to sketch the moon and the stars using my color pencils while I listen to the soundtrack 'Now We Are Free'. It takes me through time and space. taking me into another place where there is a house that was made from bricks. The house has two small rooms and it has chimney in the kitchen. On the right corner in front of the house would be seen a bridge that has water below. There was also a trace from cooking over the fire with woods. And during daytime, the beam of light touches the leaves on trees while the birds sing. In the evening, all the planets in the sky are visible to the eyes. The number of moons and the stars are impossible for us to count. They would all reflect themselves on the water like crystals. And on the balcony is a woman with her little girl on her lap with a curly long hair...

This time, I'll draw a house. From that, It would be a kind of home I've always imagine to have.

[Insert Lyrics]:

Anol shalom

Anol sheh lay konnud de ne um

Flavum nom de leesh

Ham de nam um da

La um de Flavne..

Later, I noticed droplets of water one by one falling off on my sketch pad. I stopped for a moment until the droplets become bigger and faster as if it going to riff off the page. I looked up the sky and the rain was unceasingly falling. Quickly, I packed my things up then climb on the seawall. I glance to the moon which was like a disc in shape. I closed my eyes. I listen to my heart pounding like drumbeats. It was loud that it would want to escape from my chest.

Wait.

'Who's that?

"HEEEYYY! ! !

I wonder what this person or whatever that thing is doing at this time of night alone under the rain.

But, It didn't move nor, didn't even spare a second to look at my direction. Must it be a ghost??? Or maybe it only didn't hear me since we had had like over 50 meters in between.

"Ross!"

"ROSS!!!"

I heard Kyle called up my name. I saw him approaching.

"Where the heck you been!?" he sounded irritated.

"Where's Todd?" I asked.

"He's looking for you." he answered. "Help me out with Nyx. She just passed out after having three more bottles of beer." his right arm wrapped around her waist to support her while he has to hook her arm around his shoulder so she won't fall off.

I shook my head. "This won't happen again."

"Never." he responded. "Now, try to hold her carefully. I'll just go get the car while you wait Todd to come back."

***

I slowly make my way to my room so that Moxie will not get bothered if she hears me upstairs. I'm almost close to door when suddenly I heard something. I turn my back to listen where it coming from.

I knocked to her door.

"Moxie?"

I was in front of her door for almost a minute to wait her response in case she was still awake but, I didn't hear anything else after.

I enter to my room and didn't pay much attention to weird noises I hear each night. I took my shirt and pajama out from the cabinet to change my clothes. Then, I lie on the bed open arms. I could feel the soft sheet against my skin. I look at the ceiling where all my drawings were pasted.

My room. It's the safest place on earth. I thought to myself.