The Watch - Part 3

I’m lost in my world, thinking about how things would have been different if I weren’t always nervous. If I had more confidence, I wouldn’t have to worry about talking in front of other people, such as the class during my presentation, and I wouldn’t have to worry about asking out Amy.

I’ve lost count with how many times I’ve tried to go up to her and start a conversation. I’ve wanted to ask her out for years without any success. The closest I managed to get was when I said “hi” to her on the bus going into town, but that’s just about it.

Other times she doesn’t even know that I was there. Because of my lack of confidence, I’ve sunk into the scenery and now hardly anyone notices me anymore except my mum and dad, my best friend Tom, and my next door neighbour, Jake. That sounds rather depressing I know, but that’s how I feel right now. I guess it didn’t help that I kept myself to myself. Maybe, if I pushed myself to get out more, things would have been different?

Upon reaching my front door, Jake stepped out of his, holding a large bin bag full of rubbish from the previous night of partying. He likes to party a lot, Jake does as he sees it as a way to escape life’s reality and have fun. He did invite me, but I said that I had to stay in and study for my presentation tomorrow, but any other time I would have loved to have joined in and left the realms of reality. Jake’s parties are literally out of this world as I’ve heard every now and again on the bus or in the corner shop. There’s no alcohol or offensive music involved as he doesn’t agree with any of that stuff. He believes that you can have a great time by just having a simple friendly get together, which you can nine-times-out-of-ten guarantee that the night will end with one of them laughing their heads off. I haven’t been to one for obvious reasons, but he always asks me just in case.

“Ah, Sebastian,” Jake said, putting the bin bag in the trash. He’s of average height, grey hair, and speaks with a voice of someone who’s many years younger than he looks. 

“How are things today?” he asked

“I’m good,” I said.

“How was your presentation?” he asked.

“I’ve already done it,” I explained. I did mine a couple of days ago.

“Oh, I thought you said you were going to do it today?” Jake said trying to remember what happened this morning. I usually see him in the mornings if he isn’t out and about. It is rare that he stays in his house for an entire week before going off to somewhere else. He’s always going off on holidays or just a general trip over night. He hates staying in one place for too long. The thing is, when I or someone else asks him where he went to and what he got up to, he makes up this wild tale that involves him in some dangerous situation. My favourite was when some villain was chasing him in a helicopter and all he had to get away was a rundown car that could barely keep going. He was pushing the car’s engine to the max. He knew that he was getting closer and closer to the edge of a cliff, but if he turned around he would be helicopter bait. Instead, he continued forwards, driving off the edge of the cliff. The car tumbled end over end. He struggled to climb out, only just making it before the car slammed against a ridge halfway down. Now he was in a state of free-fall, but he had come prepared for this very occasion and pulled the parachute that was hidden inside his jacket. It opened and he sailed gently to the bottom of the cliff where he was hidden from view. The helicopter couldn’t reach him down there. He had escaped for another day. He never did tell me how that story ended. Maybe someday he’ll tell me, if he remembers what he said in the first place that is.

Even though they are completely made up, he tells it in such a way that you can’t help but think they could be real in some way or another. I did ask him whether he wanted to write a book about all these adventures he has, but he said he doesn’t have the patience to sit down and write a book. He likes to go out and live the moment. “The only paper I need to write on is my own memories in here,” he said rather poetically, tapping his head.

“How was the party last night?”

“Oh, you know, the usual. I hope the music wasn’t too loud for you.”

“Oh, I didn’t even hear the music,” I said truthfully.

“That’s good,” he said. “So what are you planning on doing now, relaxing?”

“Something like that yeah,” I said not knowing myself.

“Well, if you are feeling like you want to get away from it all you know that my door will always be open,” he said. He would always go out of his way to help anyone in need, be it just a friendly chat or helping someone move house. Whenever they needed help, he was there, which was really rather surprising considering he was everywhere and anywhere around the world, but because of his helping others, he built up a good reputation around the area.

“Thanks,” I smiled at his offer.

“Well, have a good evening,” he said opening his door.

“And you,” I said mirroring his actions with my front door.

“I’m just about to sit down and watch Pirates of the Caribbean” he said. “Then I’m off for three days,” he said.

“Awesome. Where’re you going?”

“Paris. I’m meeting a friend there. We’re going to see all the sights, and climb to the very top of the Eiffel Tower.”

“Happy watching,” I said as he stepped inside. “And enjoy your holiday.”

“And you,” he returned, which didn’t make any sense since I wasn’t going to watch a film or travel to Paris tomorrow. Laughing at his joke, feeling happy, I stepped into my home and shut the door behind me.

“Mum, dad, I’m home,” I called.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)