Nuisance

I need to think..

I need to brainstorm...

It's only weeks before the deadline. I need to wrap this up. This project is really big; there are panels that will critique our work.

I need to ace this project in order for me to pass the semester, and this isn't just a project. but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I've been thinking of proposing a clothing line. There are too many clothing lines all over the world. But almost every brand costs a fortune.

I've been aiming to build a brand for a store that sells thrift-store clothes. But not just thrift clothes; I wanted it to be more. FACINATING

I want all the clothes in my brand to be reworked. It may take time and effort. I want to express my love for clothes, art, and creativity through one brand. But I want it to cost less than all those brands that cost fortunes.

Branding, platform building, and presentation are all difficult tasks that require time and dedication.But I can't really think straight.

My mind is at Atlas; we've been hanging out a lot lately. And I kind of made some new friends. Life is good, but there is something that still bothers me. My father

I hate to think that I still can't forgive him. But I also think I've had enough of his treatment. Every word he said that day stabbed me. It hurts like hell, and the trauma I was going to let go of felt vivid that day.

I can't do this; I need to clear my mind so I can do well on my project. I decided to take myself for a walk. It is currently 10 p.m., and almost all the stores are closed. But some shops are still open. I tried to calm my mind and think about how they manage or maintain their shop's operation and reputation.

It's been five minutes since I walked across the town and saw some really amazing shops I'd never seen. Observing them does indeed help a lot. Some shops maintain their operations by hiring professional employees. I saw a banner that says they are hiring a chef that needs excellent education and skills. Some shops don't require any experience because there will be a workshop and training before they can start working.

I also saw some call center agents walking home very late. Well, I do have some knowledge about call center agents. One of my cousins was a call center agent. And I think that is how they manage their brands' reputations. by answering and hearing the customers' opinions and actually changing their mistakes.

I've learned a lot, and I also put my mind at ease. but heck, I'm starving from all the walking. And it's freezing cold.

I was about to head home when some of my new friends, Ruby, Linda, and Julian, saw me. They are one of my closest friends right now.

"Hey Sun!" Ruby called in a very welcoming tone. Ruby is one of the nicest yet noisiest students in our class. She's very sweet, and I love her for that. Next to her is Julian; he's gay. He's very sweet, like Ruby, but Julian is a total baddie. Linda is carrying a lot of bags. From the high-end brands, it looks like she just went shopping.

I waved back and saw how much Linda was suffering from all those paper bags, so I decided to help her carry them. But Julian and Ruby laughed like maniacs.

"Why don't you help her?" I asked

"Oh! ""We didn't realize she needed a hand," Ruby replied, laughing.

"I'm okay," Linda said when she faced me.

"See?" "She doesn't," Julian replied, smirking at Linda and me.

I stared at Linda's eyes; it was full of sadness and disappointment. At her back, I saw a man's figure; it was Atlas. He is looking at me directly in the eyes.

He started walking in our direction, but some girl wrapped her arms around his. He looked at her with a big smile. and they both started walking away.

He never looked back.. They both walked away happily.

Is she his girlfriend? Or is she just a very close friend? Does he treat everyone like how he treated me? Am I a fool for thinking that he liked me too?

"I need to go home," I said, and the three of them looked at me.

"You're going already?" Linda asked, and I nodded.

"Stay safe, Sun," Linda added, and I waved goodbye.

I went straight home, and I lay in bed while staring at the ceiling. I have lots of questions in my mind right now. But all I know is that I shouldn't make a move. He already has someone, and he is a great friend of mine. I shouldn't get in their way.

I kept thinking how stupid I am and didn't realize I had fallen asleep without making any progress on my project.

---------------------------

My alarm clock rang, and I was startled to death. It was right next to my ear. I turned it off and saw the time—it was 9am. And I still haven't done anything.

I decided to go for a walk on the lakeshore and brought a few bottles of alcohol with me. It is actually my first time, but I wanted to try it. My father used it to forget his grief; I think alcohol might help me cleanse my mind.

The lake is one of my favorite places when I need to escape. This is where I want to build my café. This place is very calming and has a nice ambiance.

This lake is full of pebbles, which I always throw in when I need to vent my frustration.It does help a lot—literally a lot.

I walked near the shore, and I think it's empty. I decided to pick up some pebbles to throw at the lake. No worries; there are no fish in here. Or at least that's what I thought.

I started throwing a pebble, but something absurd happened.

"AHHHH," a loud scream that could wake an entire village, came out of the lake.

I don't think fish can yell that loud; wait, I don't think that's right; let me rephrase: does fish yell?

and the answer is

no

The fish I mean human angrily turn around and I saw his face

please not again

It was Atlas Woodson staring at my eyes with a huge, blazing anger.