Dream’s to Never Wake Up To
Tags: Short Story, Life Lessons, College, Life, Fiction

(alarm blaring)

“Fuck”

(I snooze my alarm; 30 minutes pass)

(alarm blaring)

(turns off the alarm rolling over)

“Shit, what day is it?”

Pulling my phone closer to my face I know there’s nothing to look forward to today. Three emails, five texts, and one reminder: each is a reason not to get up. In addition I have class in 30 minutes and it’s a 45 minute commute to get to school. A list of excuses run through my mind. Covid-19? I got in an accident? My father isn’t doing well? I just wanted to find a way to patch this already broken day and move on.

“Here we go…” I mumble as a roll out of bed.

Once on my feet I realize that class was not an option for today. How many days have I missed? Six? I know there has to be some type of attendance policy, but I paid for this shit and it’s a pandemic. I always use phony justifications to cope with my problems in life or they’d accompany me forever. So, what’s the harm in a day off? Plus, if I take the day off, I can relax with a four hour gaming session.

“Siri, call Ke.”

“Calling Ke.”

Yaketsuku or Ke and I have been best friends since we were in grade school. Our relationship has always been unique as we are completely different, yet so similar at the same time. Over the years after high school we began to drift apart, each going our separate ways. He was never the school type, but I encouraged him to go to college regardless; instead, his passion resided in fashion. Creating a startup clothing business, he’s the type of person to jump into something without any prior knowledge and within seconds feel comfortable in that space. Despite having a ton of other friends, Yaketsuku was like blood to me, someone I wanted to be, but even more, he was someone I wanted to grow with. This is why, despite our distance, we never let anything falter our friendship. Gaming, dreaming, and weed were our main ways of connecting, and when they came, together we were an unstoppable force.

(I call Yaketsuku)

“Yoooooo, what’s good?” I ask.

“Shit, you know the vibes, hop online,” Ke replies.

“Bet, I’m already on,” I say.

“On my way,” Ke says before hanging up.

Grabbing hold of my controller I slide the headphones over my head. I feel the weight of the day wash away; it’s gaming time, and my character needs work.

(I enter the game chat)

“Whattssssss good, nigga? What are we getting into? I’m tryna catch some dubs,” I exclaim.

“Shut yo dumbass up, we all know you ain’t on shit,” Ke as laughter filled his voice

“You right, you right.”

“Swear, you ain’t got class today?”

“Not even bro, how about you?”

“Hell yeah I gotta log on now. This online shit is cake bro.”

“Yeah I don’t know about it, I miss the human interaction forreal I am struggling to find motivation.”

“I get that, bro, you be having your shit right regardless. Always on that nerd shit.”

His words cut deep as I know I barely got up for class at this point. My past actions have propelled me to heights I could never imagine, also serving as a double-edged sword bringing me lower than I have ever been. I was a living lie; I was a nerd that doesn’t even show up to class.

“Yeah bro, I be doing my thing.”

We game all day, letting the hours pass as if we’re kids over summer break; it’s the only thing that takes me away from the burdens of the day. By the time I look up at the clock it’s already 4:00 P.M. and I have yet to accomplish anything productive. I mean, I did get my character from level 45 to 50, but sadly in our society those are numbers to distract us from the ones that actually count. Whether it’s a percentage for a grade or the revolving check you get from selling your life, numbers dictate success. Success, the biggest burden which lay on my shoulders. It is what I always dreamed of as a kid and chased in my young adulthood. But to what end?

This means it’s time to get at it. With two quizzes and a project on the line, how else could this day get any better?