Gren once again lays in bed staring at the clock, watching the minutes tick by. He feels exhausted in more ways than one, yet his mind continues to keep him awake... running relentlessly. Gren rolls to his backside, looks up, and stares at the blackness of the ceiling above him. He glances back at the clock. 5am. Another squandered opportunity to dream, Gren mumbles. Thud! The sound his body as it hits the floor below. He picks himself up, wobbles to his dresser and without even turning on the light, picks the top item from each drawer. No point in being color coordinated or presentable... it’s just college. Still in the dark, he gets dressed quickly. Gren strolls out of his room and feels the t-shirt is tight around his neck. It was put on backwards. He groans, and yanks down on the collar, ripping it. With a candy bar in hand, backpack slung over his shoulder, Gren heads out the door... back to college.
He ponders while looking up at the massive buildings that compose the college, why I am here again? Gren walks methodically, head down, towards his first class of the day. Trig. Yuck. He arrives early to class to get the same seat he tries to sit in for every class, furthest row to the left, second seat back. The best possible seat to be in. Up close enough to hear the teacher and to avoid large heads from blocking your view of the board, but quick and easy access to the door for when class ends. Gren sits resting his chin in the palm of his hand, staring out the window at the plaza below. It’s a cold and cloudy day, not a speck of sunshine on the ground. Random people are still milling about, seemingly not phased by the thought of being late to class. He glances up towards the clock. 10am. Class is about the start. The teacher, Ms. something-or-other, calls attendance. Gren returns to staring outside, letting his mind wander. “Gren, what do you think?” He jumps in his seat, startled. Everyone in the class is looking in his direction, the teacher peers at him questioningly. Gren hesitates, unsure of what the question was. In a moment of desperation he blurts out, “I like cheese!” A couple of snickers could be heard from the back of the room, the teacher smirks and returns to writing on the board. Gren slumps in his chair and lets out a desperate sigh. It’s gonna be a rough semester.
The rest of the day was moderately uneventful, with the exception of the little squirrel trying to collect the acorns scattered across the ground. That was, until the final class of the day, Accounting. Gren once again shows up early to get his favorite seat. Sadly, there were no windows nearby to stare out of, so Gren was forced to at least fake paying attention. Class starts off without a hitch, boring and monotonous. He sits there doodling on his notepad. The pencil slips, and falls to the floor. He reaches over to pick the pencil up, but another hand beats him to it. Looking up, he sees a beautiful lass smile as she hands him the pencil. He was in awe. She was beautiful. Long, blond hair dangled over the side of her face, giving that alluring shadowed look. The line of her face were clean and crisp. Her eyes sparkled, so alive. He was lost for words. Gren blinked once, twice... staring at the beautiful face in front of him. He snapped out of his funk, blushed and whispered, thank you. She smiled, and returned to taking notes. Gren was blown away, she was gorgeous. He had to find out her name. As class ended he bolted up out of his chair and took a quick glace at her paper. Lucia.
Gren couldn’t think of anything but her on the way back home. Her image had been imprinted on his brain, and she was on his mind even when he tried to think of something else. He tried everything that he could think of to get her off of his mind: reading, watching one of his favorite animes, even dusting off the PS2 to play a game. Nothing worked. He sighed and went to bed early. This time though, there was no staring at the clock. Gren passed out the second his head hit the pillow, off to dreamland.
Gren wakes up, before the alarm goes off, ready to take on the day. He was no longer going to be a slacker. This morning he turned on the light, found some color-coordinated clothes, got dressed and ran out of the room. Grabbing a Dew and a pop-tart, Gren flies out the front door back to college. He’s looking forward to seeing that girl again... Lucia. There was just something so alluring about her. Was it that smile of hers? The sparkling eyes? Or maybe the long, flowing hair that looked so touchably soft? He wasn’t sure. Maybe it was the whole package... all of them put together, he thought to himself.
The day dragged by so slowly for Gren. He was so anxious to get to the final class of the day, it seemed as though the classes were twice as long as normal. It was so odd for him. He had never felt something like this about someone who he had only made eye contact with once! Was it love? He wondered. Gren was about to find out.
After what seemed like eternity waiting for all the early classes to end, Accounting finally came around. He was very anxious, he couldn’t wait to see her again. Gren waited, and waited, and waited some more. She didn’t show up. He felt heartbroken, and he wasn’t sure why. He had only seen her once, and yet it feels as though his heart just got ripped out of his chest. The class dragged by even more slowly than all of the day before it. When it ended, Gren returned home unsure of what to do next. Nothing seemed to appeal to him at all. After a few minutes of thought, Gren decided to go for a hike to get his head on straight.
He starts walking casually up the hill behind where he lives. Its not too difficult a climb, as he’s been to the top so many times before. Working his way through the briars and passed the electric fence, Gren gets to a small clearing. In it he sees a bunny rabbit hopping along. He decides to sit and watch for a bit before moving ahead. When the bunny is beyond his sight, Gren gets up and continues to the top of the hill. He past several large boulders protruding from the steep areas, where he used to play so often when he was younger. Approaching the top of the hill, Gren can see the sun as it begins to set beyond the range. Finally, reaching the top, he climbs up into a tree and settles down in a crotch. Gren overlooks the entire valley, seeing miles upon miles of hillside. The leaves are all sorts of colors, fall is in it’s full glory. The sun as it’s setting brings out the colors all the more. A sharp wind cuts through Gren’s t-shirt, causing him to shiver. He didn’t know what to think of this feeling. Was it really love at first sight? Was she the one? He never thought about such a thing, as it hadn’t happened to him before. Gren sighs again, hops out of the tree, and returns home.
Not having much of an appetite, Gren decides to just finish up his homework and head to bed early for a change. Following a quick shower, he plops into his bed, and looks at the clock. 9pm. It’s way too early to go to bed, he sighs. Gren grabs the blankets, wads them up in his arms and squeezes... as if he wished someone was there in his arms. After another sigh, Gren falls asleep.
He didn’t dream at all. No, it was more of a nightmare. Lucia was never even on the roster for the class. She didn’t exist, just a figment of Gren’s imagination. He lost control... rampaging throughout the college campus. Buildings were set afire, people screaming, sirens going off. It was the worst nightmare Gren had ever had. He wakes up to the alarm in an ice-cold sweat, breathing heavily and teary-eyed. It was going to be a rough day.
Back at college, things were actually going smoothly. Trig was cancelled due to the teacher being sick. The food for lunch was surprisingly edible. The day passed quickly, and Accounting began. Gren took his usual seat, and waited anxiously for her to enter the room. Lucia came in, looking as beautiful and graceful as the last time he laid eyes on her. She quietly walked to her chair and sat down. Lucia catches Gren looking in her direction. They both blush and look away. Gren is too petrified to look again. What if she is looking too? Do I smile? Look into her eyes? What am I supposed to do? He takes a glance anyways, and sees her doing the same, trying to hide her face with her long hair. They both look away quickly again. This game of hide and seek continues, as though they were both little children. The class ends out of nowhere. Gren and Lucia are somewhat bewildered as everyone starts emptying out of the classroom. It’s over already? Lucia got up quickly, and without saying a word left the room. Gren was confused, but packed his books up and followed. She was outside of the room, waiting for him. She smiles at Gren, and says, “Hello, I’m Lucia” He smiles back. I know. “Hi, I’m Gren.” She giggles softly,”I know your name, silly!” and starts walking down the hall. He just stands there with a blank look on his face. Damn. He shakes his head, then hurries up after her.
Gren catches up with her quickly, and tries to match her stride. Gren turns to Lucia, “Hey, would you like to go out sometime?” Oh please say yes! Lucia flashes that beautiful smile of hers again. “Sure! Where do you want to go?” Holy crap, she said yes. “Um... wherever you want.” She thought for a bit, “How ‘bout that burger place downtown? I hear it’s really good.” Gren was a bit stunned. Someone that likes burgers, it’s a miracle. She must realize us college students are dirt poor. “Sure. Meet you at the plaza around 6:30?” “Okay, Gren. It’s a date.” And with that, she walks off smiling. Did she just use the ‘d’ word? Gren gulps.
Gren was frantic, trying to figure out what to wear and look presentable. Burger place or not, he didn’t want to look like a bum. After having seemingly gone through every piece of clothing he owned, Gren decided upon what he usually wears: a plain white tee and a pair of jeans. He tosses them on and flies out the door.
It was a very pleasant night. The sun had set beyond the hills, the moon was visible, and a couple of stars were popping out in the darkening sky. Gren arrived at the plaza a bit early, and began pacing back and forth nervously. Does my breath stink? Is she going to be late? Am I dressed right? He lets out a sigh to calm his nerves. Then he spots Lucia. She’s wearing a pair of faded jeans with holes in the knees, and a tie-dyed t-shirt with the arms rolled up to her shoulders. Gren nearly fainted. She still looked drop-dead gorgeous, even dressed down. “You look great, Lucia.” “Haha, thanks. Shall we get going? I’m starving!” she responded, smiling as always. He smiles back, and they leave for the burger place.
An hour later... Gren and Lucia emerge from the burger place, laughing hysterically and pointing at one another. Both are covered in ketchup, mustard and various food particles. There was a food fight and they got caught in the middle. Lucia is laughing walking backwards towards the curb of the road. The next moment happens in the blink of an eye. A car without its lights on comes barreling down the road. Gren yells. The car clips Lucia, before she has a chance to turn around to see what Gren was yelling about. “Nooooooooo!” screamed Gren in despair. Lucia lays there on the side of the road, crumpled. The car that hit her drives away. Gren runs to her side, holding her limp body in his arms. He looks up towards the night sky, as a raindrop lands on his face.
Two days have passed. Gren hasn’t left the hospital, to remain at Lucia’s side. The doc said no bones were broken, but that she hit her head pretty hard, and they won’t know anything more until she wakes up. Gren has been in a stupor ever since the incident, wondering how such an absolutely perfect night could end in a disaster. He sits there on the side of her bed, looking at the hair that partially covers the side of her face. He couldn't bear the sight of her in this condition. So full of life and spunk. A nurse comes in to tidy up the place and asks Gren to leave. He sighs, and walks out to talk with the doctor again. "Well?" He asks the doc. "When is she going to come to?" The doctor has a grim look on his face. "I don't know... I wish I did. But don't give up hope." But he was. Nothing has ever gone his way before. He puts his face in his hands and starts to cry. The nurse screams, "Doctor! She just moved!" Gren jumps up and rushes into the room to be at her side again. Gren notices her face twitch. Lucia’s eyes open, slowly. She blinks once, twice. She’s awake! He is so excited. He smiles, and asks, “How are you feeling, Lucia?” She tries to smile. “Tired.” Gren holds her hand. She whispers to Gren, “Will you stay with me?” He replies, “Of course, Lucia.” She smiles again, better this time. “Gren?” Lucia says softly. “I love you.” He blushes. “I love you too.” Gren leans over and kisses her forehead. She smiles again, and falls asleep with a smile on her face.