Ramen encounter

6:00 A.M.

I woke up way before I was supposed to, based on the sun. I get up and stretch, putting a long-sleeved shirt and comfy running pants so I can go and grab something at the cafeteria. It had just opened, and only a handful of people are sitting around. I get a biscuit, a bagel and some fruits so I can have breakfast and put it to go, so I can eat in my room. Compared to two hours from now, the campus just seems so… quiet. And empty. Most classes don't start till 8:30 a.m. at least, so everyone that is out is just doing their own thing. It's… peaceful. I pass through the running fields, which only has one figure running in the distance. It looks somewhat familiar. After squinting my eyes a bit, I see that it has the same hoodie as… Oh. It's Marcus. I had no idea he jogged, and specially this early. I was about to consider going to say "hi" when I immediately stop myself and continue walking back. There's no reason to do it. I grab my bagel and starting munching on it as I walk inside my room. I put the bag down and pick up my phone, seeing my mom left me a message:

"I hope the beginning of the semester is going good, I'm just letting you know your father and I sent you a package with some stuff from your room and some snacks and a letter from your brother. It should be arriving in the next couple days. We love you, mom and dad"

I smile and put the phone in my pocket. As I'm eating, I pull out the book for the next class and start going over it. Classes started for a week and a half now, so the amount of homework is growing. It's my first time doing more than 12 credits, and I'm not sure if it was a good decision, but I need to pull my graduation time down so I can go home early. It would save us money. I wanted to take the burden out of their shoulders a bit, specially since my brother just got into an expensive high school. I miss them. After I'm done, I get my bag and leave the room, running over to the next department.

Time is moving fast, and it's already nighttime when I leave my last class. My Tuesdays and Thursdays are so packed I barely have time to eat. I can hear my stomach growling as I walk towards the convenience store. I enter it in a rush and go to the ramen section, stacking up a good number of different flavors before I go to the cashier.

-That'll be $5,49. -Says the girl.

-Sure. -I say, opening my bag to get my wallet. Then I realize. The wallet is still on the purse I took to the party. -Oh no.

I am thinking as fast on what should I do to explain the situation, when I feel a little tapping behind me.

-Hey, here. -It's Marcus again, and he slides a $10 to the cashier. -Add this too. -He gives her a sandwich from the cold cut section. He then turns to me – And before you say anything, just consider it a return favor for the bar.

I look at him confused. RoseThorn? He notices my look.

-Oh no, I mean the actual snack bar, the one you gave me. -He gets the bag with the groceries and starts walking towards the door. It takes me a bit to realize that he has my stuff.

-Hey, my noodles! -I say, going after him. He walks a bit away from the store and then turns to me. He takes his sandwich out and starts eating it, and then passes me the bag.

-You didn't have to do this -I say. - but thank you.

-I know I didn't have to, I just wanted to. -He bites the sandwiches and pauses for a second. -It was a better outcome than you having to leave without dinner anyway.

-How do you… - I start but give up midway. -You're not wrong.

-I know, you look famished. -He says and then looks up, pausing for a second. -You're not the person I thought you were.

-I feel like we already had this talk. -I look at him, remembering the library talk.

-No, seriously. -He then turns to me. – Look, I've been sharing the dorm room with that guy for a long time, and its not by choice, I guarantee you. However, you were the first person that ever got with him that wasn't a complete waste of space. Seriously.

I shiver when I remember about that dude.

-We all make bad decisions. -I say, looking down. -And I'm pretty sure that is going to be the worst one in my life. I was dumb.

-I wouldn't say that. -Marcus now throws the plastic that was around the sandwich in the nearby trash bin. -He does know how to approach someone, his problem is only that… well, he's a selfish jerk. Nothing lasts with him.

-I think that's the first time I can fully agree with you on something. -I say, laughing. -And it's the first time someone is not interrogating me about it, it feels nice.

-That's college for you, nosy people everywhere. -He says.

-And pervs. -I answer.

He laughs.

-I have to go -He cleans the crumbs out of the hoodie and then faces me. -but if you ever get stuck in a subject or need help with something else, let me know. I might just be able to give you a hand between my classes, okay? See ya.

-See ya Marcus. -He gives me a look of surprise, probably because I said his name.

He then smiles and walks away. That was cute. Wait did I just say cute? I shake my head to clear the though of that out and go back to my room. I start taking things out of the bag when I notice that there's something else in the bottom. It's a granola bar, but a different flavor than the one he got me. Are we trading food now? I laugh and put It on the top of the counter. Then I realize that its been a week since I last thought of Randy or felt sad. And I can't help but to feel thankful to Marcus and Clara, that helped me even in the weirdest ways. I can finally smile again.

8:00 P.M.