2.Just the usual

The next day, I woke up with sore eyes due to my habit of sleeping extremely late. I do have an unscheduled routine which is absolutely poor for my health. I need to fix myself definitely. I quickly took a shower, got dressed, ate my breakfast, and headed to the bus stop. Ugh, I'm literally bored from this dull life of mine. I need to do something, like really something to lighten up my not so cool lifestyle, at least that would provide a much-needed spark and adventure in my life.

The bus finally arrived, ten minutes later, delayed as usual. I took all my lectures dedicatedly, sleeping with wide-open eyes. Well, that's what has been happening for a couple of weeks.  During the break, me and my batchmates, Sam, Samantha, Yule, and Ulrick were chilling out outdoors as usual. Yule and Ulrick are kinds of my best buddies. We spend a lot of time together hanging out. 

Ulrick is more on the polite side, he doesn't talk much. He's more enthused by facts and knowledge rather than random trivial stuff which people of our age usually discuss. You can try voicing your opinions about any issue and boom, there he goes, he'll start debating with you. It doesn't matter whether you are correct or not, but he'll begin bombarding you with facts from his unimportant online research resulting in the other person to definitely step back from the argument even if he's right, or else Ulrick will not let you live in peace until you accept his point.

Yule, on the other hand, has a jolly nature. He can be a little shy in front of girls but with me, he's definitely comfortable. We chatter a lot on call for hours. Well, to be honest, there's one thing about him that puts me off. He likes me, not as a friend, but more than that. He has told me that through indirect ways and gestures, like a hundredth time. But obviously, I cannot reciprocate the same feelings he has for me. I never felt an inch of what he feels for me. I do have a fondness for him, but nothing more. 

What he has for me, sometimes pisses me off. It's like, he has assumed that he's my boyfriend and he will try to control me. But that's the converse of it. He always tells me to spend more time with him. Like if I don't talk to him, he would say something indifferent, twisting it to a point, so that I get what he's actually trying to convey. Being his friend, I understand his state of mind, so I usually respond friendly, ignoring his tantrums.

I was just gossiping about some random stuff when my glare shifted to the other side. And there he was. I gasped. Walking in my direction with his two other friends, wearing an olive green perfect fit t-shirt clenched to his body, his chest puffed out, and his exposed biceps. Austin does have a great muscular body and sharp features, I must admit. He probably goes to the gym. His walk was quite attitudinal and his expressions so stern, that it seemed like he could hit a boy any moment. His guise is of a typical violent, bad boy. 

His gaze was on the floor when suddenly he looked up towards my side, but it was only for a few seconds and he went back to staring down. Did he notice me? I don't think so, and why would he? I am just like another girl to him whom he texted and I must have vanished from his memory till now.

Then he strolled past me. I resumed talking to my friends. 

Back at the hostel, I finished studying and started scrolling my Instagram. I did get plenty of likes and comments on my recent pictures. I was wearied when my cellphone screen flashed with a popup notification. 

"Austin sent a message: Hey".

I looked at the notification in awe for a few seconds. I finally received a text from Austin, I was exhilarated. 

I quickly replied with a "Hey". 

My heart started beating faster, waiting for his message. Then I could see "typing.." displaying at the bottom of the chat screen. I took a deep breath, and his message popped.

"You still awake. What are you doing up at this hour?". He asked.

"Nothing much really". I replied.

I have never felt so agitated before. I mean, I never have waited for a response so eagerly. There's something about this boy definitely. Perhaps, I'm just accelerating my curiosity for him that's why. He's like a vague mystery to me. The aura that he generates, whenever I see him is just inexplicable. 

After that, we both talked about our hobbies and interests. He loves to travel like me. He has also been to the places where I have traveled. His favorite sport is football, which he plays brilliantly. I am also a fan of football, I've played it several times with my cousins. 

He plays the keyboard. I have seen him posting stories, of him playing the keyboard, and he does play well. I told him that I have played the flute, I was in the school band. He was stunned at knowing that I know how to play the flute. He asked if he could have the pleasure to learn the flute from me some time. I agreed. 

I too asked him to teach me football, since I am not an expert in it and I definitely wanted to learn it flawlessly for a long time. So we both made a deal, to share our skills amongst each other. I got to know that he does sketching too.

So we both shared some of our sketches, and he was dumbstruck at watching mine.

"What the fuck, Valerie. These are profusely hilarious. I am astonished, like seriously. Even better than mine." Austin said.

"Thanks, Austin. Yours are also awesome."Austin said. 

We talked about a lot more other stuff, and it amused me as well him, that what we think is quite similar.  He sounds like me, undoubtly. I and Austin can become great friends. I do have friends in boys, but I have always wanted a boy bestfriend in college, just my type, with whom I can share everything and he seems to be a good alternative for it. He certainly satisfies my categories of being a best friend . I can give him a try.

"Well, it was lovely talking to you. Now I must sleep, It's already late. Good night, Valerie". Austin said.

I wished him back and then he went offline. All the conversations with him kept resurfacing in my mind. I was smiling from inside at the thought that we finally talked. I've been longing for his texts due to some unknown reason which I, myself not able to understand. But I was ecstatic at the thought, that we will chat again probably. I giggled before falling asleep.