him

Despondently, he walked on, somnolently kicking up fallen leaves that swarmed around his boots in heaps of brown and red. He wasn't exactly the most blithesome or boisterous person usually, but today he was feeling particularly hebetudinous - hence his decision to skulk around the local park and wallow in his own morosity. Although he did regret this decision instantly after stepping outside and meeting with a vicious gust of cold air, he went out anyway, it's not like he had anything better to do. The tranquility of trees swaying in the chilling October breeze and the crunch of dry leaves under his feet has yet to fail to calm him - or at least provide an escape from the calamities of his cantankerous roomates.

He mindlessly wandered into the open field of the park and was greeted by a hard, rough object striking his left cheek with considerable force.

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, are you okay?"

He looked up to see a young man running towards him with a tremulous look.

"I'm so, so sorry, I didn't see- down, Bear!"

Feeling a weight on his side, he peered down to see a rambunctious Australian Shepard leaping up at him with immoderate glee. He also saw next to the dog a scruffy tennis ball; that must've been what hit him. The man was now in front of him, scolding 'Bear' before turning to him and continuing to apologise. He tried to reassure the man, but to no avail.

He often sees the tennis ball guy when he goes for his melancholy walks in the park. Always the same place, in that open field throwing the dreaded ball for Bear. In fact, he sometimes finds himself going to the park not only for the calming scenery, but also for the tennis ball guy. He always seems so content and carefree whenever he sees him - something about that is appealing to him. Perhaps it's envy, he's never been as equanimous as that. There's always something to worry about, to stress about, even on his walks he's never that calm. But catching a glance at the tennis ball guy and Bear in his immutable (and quite frankly ridiculous) enthusiasm, seeing him glimpse back and flash a smile - a genuine smile - maybe even a wave; it's little things like that which make his dull life a little more bearable.