Beneath the Surface

Part 3

After snapping a few shots, he reluctantly set the camera down and went back to his breakfast. The smell of eggs filled the air, and he savored the simple pleasure of the meal as he ate.

Once he finished, he grabbed his bag and began to gather his things for the day ahead. Just as he was about to head out the door, a colorful booklet caught his eye on the coffee table. It was one of the pamphlets Tian had brought for him, advertising a few universities. Longtai paused, taking a deep sigh as he picked it up and flipped through the pages.

He felt a familiar tug of anxiety, a mix of excitement and fear at the thought of enrolling in photography classes. Would he really be ready to take that leap? The idea of stepping into a new environment filled with unfamiliar faces made his heart race. But as he stared at the pamphlet, he felt the warmth of Tian's encouragement from their last conversation wash over him.

With a resolute nod, Longtai tucked the pamphlet into his bag, deciding to give it a chance, at least for today. He took one last look around his small apartment, letting the warmth of home fill him up before stepping out into the world beyond his front door.

The fresh morning air greeted him as he stepped outside, and he inhaled deeply, feeling the promise of a new day wrap around him like a warm embrace. Today was just the beginning, and with each step he took, he was one step closer to discovering what lay ahead.

~

The sun had already climbed high in the sky, casting beams of light into Yok's cluttered room, but he remained blissfully unaware, snuggled deep under a heap of blankets. To anyone else, it might have seemed like the calm before a storm, but for Yok, it was simply another day of chaos. His dark hair was tousled and wild, framing his face like a lion's mane, and his strong, muscular body lay bare, covered only by a pair of boxers.

"Yok! Get the hell up! You're going to be late for class!" Gram's voice thundered through the haze of sleep, slicing through the silence like a knife.

"Mmm, give me five more minutes," Yok mumbled, burying his head deeper into the pillows, trying to block out the world.

"More like thirty! You're going to miss your class!" Gram yelled again, exasperation lacing his tone.

Yok could feel the urgency in Gram's voice seep through his sleepiness, and he finally peeled one eye open, squinting at the brightness that filled the room. With a groan, he pushed himself up, sitting on the edge of the bed, and running a hand through his disheveled hair. The moment he took a good look around, he was met with the reality of his surroundings-a chaotic disaster zone.

Clothes were strewn haphazardly across the floor, a jumble of colors and textures that spoke of late nights and creative bursts. Scattered across the room were pencils and paintbrushes, remnants of his artistic endeavors, some still splattered with vibrant paint. A large canvas leaned against the wall, half-finished with a swirl of colors that seemed to echo his mood, and a few completed paintings dotted the corners of the room, capturing the essence of fleeting thoughts.

The walls, covered in his own graffiti, showcased his talent and rebellious spirit, with bold strokes and vivid colors splashing across the surface, giving the room a unique character. Yet, in the midst of this artistic chaos, Yok felt a wave of irritation wash over him.

"Damn it," he muttered, forcing himself to his feet. His tattoos, small birds on his arm and a roman numeral below his ribcage, caught the light as he moved. He admired the intricate designs momentarily but quickly pushed those thoughts aside as he headed toward the bathroom.

After a quick shower, the water washing away the remnants of sleep and lethargy, Yok felt slightly more alert, though still groggy. He splashed his face with cold water and glanced in the mirror, assessing the reflection staring back at him. Dark circles under his eyes hinted at too many late nights and not enough sleep, but he shrugged it off, more focused on getting out the door than his appearance.