The Heart's Rhythm

Chapter One

"Ayen, here!"

I immediately turned my head to look for the owner of the voice. It was crowded, and the auditorium is packed with students, that's why it was hard to look for my friend who reserved me a seat. College orientations sure are tough, not to mention today was the last day. I was so excited until I saw the massive crowd.

"Girl, our promised meeting time was like twenty minutes ago," she snarks.

"Sorry, Ali. I got stranded at the entrance," I smiled apologetically at her, and sat down on the chair, wiping the dripping sweat off my forehead.

Thank goodness, the venue is air-conditioned.

"For the whole twenty minutes?" Alison asked, making sure to check facts, and I can't help but roll my eyes at her detail-orientedness.

"Fine," I give up, "I woke up late."

"Fix that habit! We are not in high school anymore."

Alison and I enrolled in different courses, so we had to split up after the meeting at the auditorium. I took Social Science, BS Psychology. Alison took up accounting. Technically speaking, when classes start, we'll be far from each other. I had to get used to being alone and maybe start making new friends.

"One lemonade, please. Thank you."

It was so hot outside, and I was around the campus the whole day. When Alison texted me she wasn't done checking her classes yet, I just went straight to a café I saw near me. I leisurely sat on the vacant chair and put my earphones on to un-hear all the unpleasant noise around me.

Lately, I've been too lax. I mean, sucky? I've been trying to find some local indie bands I could join, but to no avail, I found none. Battle of the bands ended recently too, and I got a list of names I could try to audition, but I couldn't get in touch with any of them.

Alison also kept nagging me to prioritize my college life before worrying about music-making. Seriously, she's noisier than my mom. She even hid all of my personal piece arrangements to stop me from approaching my drum set at her house.

I removed my earphones off my ear when a waiter placed a tray with my lemonade on it on my table. I mutter a quiet thanks and give him a smile, which he returned. He looks cute.

I'm no stranger when it comes to flirting or relationships. If that cute waiter gives me even one sign that he's slightly interested in me, I would hit it off with him. Though I'm pretty sure it was just simply a generous gesture, that smile, I mean.

"Are you serious? Those kinds of cases actually happen in real life?" I overheard the students from the other table talking.

"God, they must be seriously sick in the head to do something cruel like that," another voice says in an exasperated voice.

What are they talking about? I'm not eavesdropping, they're just talking pretty loud, and it's just us here inside. Me and the four of them.