2 [ Living alone ]

The policemen drove me back to my apartment.

The trip was also not too long, it took them about 10 minutes to get me back home, and when I walked to the bridge, it was also about 30 to 40 minutes. It was a good exercise.

"Okay, young man. You be safe, okay?"

As I was opening the car door, the policeman told me.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?"

I smiled back at him.

He hesitated for a while, and said with a big smile on his face.

"You know what? You're a good kid."

"Good?"

"You don't seem to want trouble other people, do you?"

"Isn't that how people should treat each other?"

"Haha. You're still young. You haven't seen what I saw."

"That's true. You're a cop, afterall."

"Exactly. I have seen criminals you would be sick just hearing about them."

"Eh! Then I don't want to know."

He chuckles at my remark.

"Okay, kiddo. Just remember to be safe. Don't do anything weird!"

"Yes, sir."

I salute him.

He laughs at my odd gesture, and drives away with his car.

I inhaled and the exhaled deeply after the exchange. A bit troublesome, but not too complicated.

The reason why I went out to the bridge was not only to do some sight seeing or to get some fresh air, but because I was having a celebration of sort. Well, I don't know if you can call it celebration when you are by yourself and doing nothing too special.

Today officially marks the first day I live alone in my new apartment.

It's a new life, new me. I hope.

After talking to the officer, I make my way up to my apartment. I live in a typical 1 living room-1 bathroom apartment. The size of it is not too big with the dimension of about 20 sqm. In addition, I don't need a lot of household equipments since I don't cook, removing the need for a kitchen. Thanks to all of that, the price of rent is relatively affordable with my minimum wage part-time job at a local 24-hour store. Before moving in, I have already scouted the place for rent and a job to sustain myself. I'm quite lucky to be able to do both at the same time, not to mention I did that at a good location, too.

Even though the apartment is cheap, it is still better than living under the bridge. I have done that a few times and it hurt my back sleeping on the concrete floor. Don't even mention the smell. My apartment place is not so bad either. It's definitely not newly built, but it's not the running down type that's going to be demolished any day. There are windows that I can let in cool air and look outside to the bridge, an air conditionter in case the weather is too hot, and finally (importantly), a small, delicate bathtub.

Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I'll take a dip and continue with unpackaging.

Since I have just moved it, my room right now still has a number of boxes that I need to unpack. But honestly, I don't have a lot of stuff. Just some books, some clothes, and some games with my console that I bought on my own. I don't have any decorations such as plants or posters. To me, they are unneccessary.

The special thing about all of the items that I have with me is that these were all paid by my own money. I worked really hard on them, so I tend to keep them well-preserved. I didn't bring anything that I specifically did not buy for myself. I would feel indebt to others if I did that. And so, I refrained from doing it. I'm just the type that is a bit selfish, that's all.

After unpacking, I check the time. It's almost my shift at the local convenient store, so I quickly change and leave the house.

The place of my part-time job is relatively close, so I just take a walk there. On the sidewalk, I can see many students going back and forth. Groups of young students keep talking and chatting happily with each other, with the occasional expression of "Eh!" and "What!". It seems that it is about time of the last period so they are going home.

I kinda envy them, to be perfectly truthful. My school life was...not that carefree.

*Ding*

"Welcome to our store!"

A clerk said. She's Rubi, a fellow student who works part-time just like me. She's a good looking girl. Fair skin, nice hair, ample breasts, you know the drill. But I don't care too much for her appearance. Rubi is a coworker, and I intend to leave it like that.

"Oh. It's you! About time for your shift huh?"

"Good afternoon. How are you feeling today?"

"I'm good. Just come in the back and change into the uniform." She points at a door at the back.

I smile and make a small nod at her and walk straight to where she was pointing at.

After a couple minutes of putting the shirt on, I walk out.

"Okay. Shi, right?"

"Yes. That's my name."

I point at my name tag.

"I'm your senior here. So please allow me to explain what we will do here today."

The manager has already told me about all the things that I need to do. This is not the first time I do part-time job, anyway. But I guess hierarchy is everywhere so I just need to nod and agree with whatever she says. It is a must to extablish dominance in order to keep control, especially when I'm a man and we are currently alone in a shop.

My past experience taught me a crucial lession. If you can, always have a camera on you. Even a third person has an agenda and they may or may not help in dire circumstances. Right now, we are in the convenience store with a survelance system. It makes me feel safe. And I guess Rubi feels safe also.

After 6 hours, my shift ends.

"Thank you for today."

"See you later."

I take a bow at a fellow coworker. Rubi has left already because her shift finished earlier than mine.

Since this is a part-time, I can choose my shift between 6-8 hours. Usually, I pick 6 because I need time to study and to rest. 8 hours shifts are for the special occasions where I need to spend a little bit more. The only thing is that I don't get to have special occasions. I don't even remember the last time I spent lots of money on something. Probably my console and some games. I'm not sure.

Before going home, I picked a couple quick meals, heated them with the store microwave then left. Of course I payed for everything at the full price. Outside working hour, I am a normal customer. So no special treament for me.

I chose riceballs with salmon, a sandwich, and a bottle of mineral water. That should last me for the night.

Holding the plastic bag with the items that I bought, I thought to myself next time to buy an eco bag. Plastic is harmful to the environment and I should be a part to "save the Earth". I unwrapped the riceball then took a bite. The flavor spreads through my mouth instantly. It's definitely not anything too fancy, but it tastes good. I thank the manufacturers of our country to develop something like this. If not, I would have starved to death.

As I kept on eating, my feet were also advancing forward. The way back home is a bit different comparing to the afternoon. It is now about 11:30PM, and the roads are not filled with people anymore. No students are visible at this time, but I can see someone going back home in a drunken manner here and there.

It's quite nice to be alone like this. If you ask me, I would prefer the desolation of the roads at night more than the daytime. There is a special feeling that I cannot describe. A feeling that stems from the loneliness and the absent of people. However, it is a pleasant feeling when I am walking around at almost midnight. A plus when the temperature is low and the moon is shining brightly on the sky.

Before coming into the house, I finished all the meals and the bottle of water. I threw all the trash into a nearby trashbin but kept the plastic bag. Maybe in the future I will have a usage for it so I did not want to throw it away. It should be better to keep a plastic bag with you at all times just in case.

I climb the stairs to my apartment, put the key into the doorlock and open the door.

The darkness greets me like one of its own. It's cold, but it's familiar.

I smile to myself, I say.

"I'm home."