Driftwood-Ep 3

A gentle breeze hurriedly blew by, warning of the rain to come. The two young men stood there, eyes fixed on the other. That one sentence lingering in the air between them. “Date me?”

Jay's words held a hint of the determination that consumed his eyes. He silently waited for a response from the guy who has occupied his mind for days now. (Relax, relax, and remember to breathe.)

Mack laughs nervously. “What madness is running in your brain now?”

“Date me? I’m serious.”

“Sorry.” He answers flatly.

“Why? Not into guys?”

“That’s not it. I don’t think we’re a good fit. No offense.” He pauses feeling a little guilty after receiving his help. “Are we still good?”

A broad smile appears on Jay's face. “Why wouldn’t we be? We’re still young, there’s plenty of time to change your mind. Good Afternoon, Mr. Awesome. I’ll see you around.” He revs his bike and drives off. Leaving Mack puzzled by his actions.

(I think I may have stepped into something I can’t easily escape from.) “ I should watch my step for a while.” The rider and his bike disappeared from view.

Job Seek Week passed it was quickly followed by the unofficially named Call Back Week. The campus by a mess of emotional students either celebrating their success or cursing the world for their disappointment.

“ Ah! Why?! Why?! Are they blind?! I'm perfect for that position. How can they throw my life away with silence? Waah! I had to call just to get properly rejected~~!” The female student cried dramatically, throwing an arm over her eyes. She slumps in despair onto the ground in front of her dorm.”

“Babe! You can’t do this here, okay?” Said a male student running over to pick up the shattered pieces. He’s probably her boyfriend. “ Come on, we do this inside not outside babe.” He helps her up.

“You said that I would get it. You said I am awesome.” She whines.

“ You are great, babe. Super Awesome. Those fools don’t know anything. I bet they’ll go under in a month.”

“Really?”

Mack shook his head at the whole scene. (Are you her boyfriend or a lackey. Why not just say it's life and try someplace else.) He paces pass the court taking a shortcut to his lit class. The students all entered to take their seats before the Professor arrives. Jay was in the back with one of his friends. A nod hello was given when their eyes met briefly. Mack nods back before taking his seat.

Jay had not said much to him since that day. He also kept his distance not sure how to act around him. They were barely friends, to begin with. (Would it be too weird to try to be friends now.) He sighs tracing. An invisible sun on his desk with his fingers. (This is why I hate talking to others. It is so hard to figure out how just to get along, forget about pleasing them. The task is almost impossible.)

The class was another yawn. The subject was still on expressions but now, it's about describing our feelings about others. Determined to get back at the little smart ass from the other day. He declares. “We don't have as much time today. So, I'll pick one, and then one of you can volunteer.” He points to Mack. “Let's go with you?”

Mack just stared at him.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Give me a word to describe your feelings for someone.”

“Tired.” He delivered it point-blank. No explanation.

“The class erupts into laughter all over again.” Beet red was starting to resemble the Professor's face. “You think-”

“My turn. I’ll go next.” Jay interrupts. “Patients.”

Mack's eyes widen with curiosity. He turns to hear his reason.

“The word is patients because if I'm patients sooner or later that person will be mine.” A smirk came to his lips as their eyes connect again. Just then the alarm went off and everyone grabs their stuff to leave.

Mack broke the connection first. He quickly picked up his things and left. Leaving a pair of eyes watching him yet again. He was finally able to catch the bus. Taking a seat by the window to catch the air and the vehicle set into motion. A hand lifts over the heart. (Why am I having a panic attack? It's not a threat. He was flirting again. Nothing new.) “I really am tired.” (Tire of not knowing how to react to you.) He leans his head against the window. The breeze drifts in gentling puffing against his face urging him to close his eyes.

Since he was a child, making friends never came easy to him. It was easier to not bother with other than to feel the embarrassing awkward feelings experienced when he clumsily tries to introduce himself to others. The one friend he was able to make Pre-K left his side in 4th grade. His family moved away, leaving him friendless. He could still remember his voice. “Mack. Hey, Mack.”

“ Mack! Wake up!” Calls his coworker.

“The boss wants all the trucks loaded within an hour. Get a move on already!”

“Oh, yeah okay. I'm on it.” (We're at work. Let's just get through this. It's not hard. You're used to it.) A few hours passed and his shift was over. He walks home from work. The ground wet from the shower that passed while he was inside. He waits to cross the street. There is a puddle in the middle. Mack remembers many times he and his friend played in puddles like these. Lost in his memories he begins to walk out onto the street.

A car honks as it approaches the young man in the streets. His eyes widen as he finally notices the oncoming car. (Not again!) He slowly steps.

The car screeches!

Everything black.