''Sometimes I think that I don't do enough. I mean, really, what do I do anyway? Just sit here, day by day, browsing the web. Just sharing stories. I'm not a loser though. Oh never that. I'm a writer. An artist in my own right. A storyteller. But, I've always wondered. Maybe there's more to writing?''
I switch my laptop off and slip it back into my light backpack. As I put the now weighted backpack on my shoulders, I feel a pain. Ah. I really should join a gym. I cross the street to a packed bus stop. All the seats are taken. Hmm. Guess I have to stand.
''Excuse me, do you know where Ronen Avenue is?'' says a lady who approaches me. She's wearing these cool shades and this stylish jacket. She looks a bit lost though.
''Yeah, just keep walking straight, then take a left and you should be there'', I answer, in a bold voice.
''Thank you'', says the lady, who gives me a relieved smile, then hurries off. I like when strangers ask me for directions. Out of all these people from this packed bus stop, she picked me. Makes me feel special. But that's just weird me.
Ah, here comes my bus. I get on and show the driver my pass. He gives an approving nod and lets me on.
I go to sit near the exit doors of the bus like I always do. There's a girl sitting there already, and she moves over to let me sit as well. Hmph. She's cute. Well, it's worth a try.
''Hey'' I say, trying to strike conversation.
''Hi'', she replies.
''How's it going?''
''Good?''
''Good. I'm good too by the way.''
''That's... good I guess''. She has a look on her face, one that tells me that she regrets letting me sit next to her. Man I'm so bad at this 'talking to girls' thing.
''So, what do you do?''. Hey, I can't just give up that early.
''I'm an artist.''
''Really? That's cool.''
''What about you, 'Mr Awkward Convos'?''
''I'm a writer.''
''Seriously?''. For some reason, her face has now lightened up.
''For real'', I say, in an attempted cool voice and nod.
''What have you written?''
''Just some random pieces of writing. Poems, fanfictions, short-stories, etc..''
''Oh.'' Hmm. Is it me, or has her face, which was glowing 15 seconds ago, suddenly darkened? ''Have you got anything you've wrote on you?''
''Oh yeah, 'course I have.'' I take off my backpack, unzip it and pull out some lined paper. ''Here, read this. It's my latest short story.''
''Okay.'' She takes the paper from my hand. It's been two mins. Finally, she gives her verdict. ''This is really good.'' Ah, there's that glow again.
''Thank you.'' I take back the paper. ''Well, now that you've seen my work, can I see yours?''
''Of course.'' She hands me a couple of sheets of paper.
''These are really good drawings. Lemme guess, you're freelance?''
''Yeah, but I want to commit to a story in the future.''
''Really? Well, if you're interested, I'd be willing to be your writer.''
''Yeah sure. Oh, my stops' next. Here, take my card.''
I take her card and read. ''So it's Angie right?''
''Yeah.''
''Here, take my card.''
''Ryo Hattori? You don't look Japanese to me.''
''Yeah, that's my pen-name. I use it because I originally wanted to a manga writer. Most people only want to read 'authentic' manga so I thought using a Japanese pseudonym would make people actually try to read my work. Plus the name was cool, so I just kept it. My real name is Sanjay Peters, but everyone calls me Jay.''
''Awesome.'' Angie gets up and walks on over to the bus exit doors. ''I'll definitely think about your offer. Well, it's been nice talking to you 'Ryo'. Even if you were a bit weird.''
''Ha, same to you Miss Angie. Don't forget to call.''
''I won't.'' She gets off the bus and waves in my direction, and I wave back. After about twenty seconds, she just became a dot on the horizon.
For the next minute, I just examine the card she left me with. 'Angie Walter' huh? I give a loud sigh. There is something more to writing...and I think I've just stepped right through it.
...Wait, did I miss my stop?