The life we live

Forst time writing ever

Scene: College courtyard, early fall. A slight chill. Leaves rustle. A small group of students is gathered.)
Alex (nervously, scratching the back of his neck):
"Hey, um… Jean. How are you doing? Haven’t seen you since summer. Now it’s fall… and I guess I’m falling again."
(The crowd goes silent. Jean blinks. A soft chuckle escapes her lips.)
Jean:
"Umm… yeah, Alex. That was… a good joke."
(Cue Paul, overly confident, grinning wide, arms around his girlfriend, Stacey.)
Paul:
"Oh boy, here we go again. The ol’ puppy eyes are back. Everyone, brace yourselves — Romeo's here!"
(Stacey gives a quiet laugh but then gently smacks his arm.)
Stacey:
"Stop it. Be nice."
Paul (shrugs, smug):
"I am nice. I just don’t care. I didn’t say anything wrong."
Stacey (crossing her arms):
"You know exactly what you did."
(Alex watches, quietly. It's the same dance every time: Paul says something mean, Stacey laughs… then scolds him.
But never really pulls away. Alex wonders: If she hates how he acts, why does she still cuddle up to him like that?)
(Stacey turns silent. Paul looks away. Jean turns to Alex again, changing the subject.)
Jean:
"Anyway… it was a great summer. How was yours?"
Alex (with a grin):
"Oh, it was wild. Fought monsters, investigated the paranormal, stopped Desmond from unleashing alien tech — saved the world.
(Cut to reality: Alex was behind the counter at a 7-Eleven all summer.)
Jean (smiling kindly):
"Well… at least you had fun."
Jean:
"I’ve gotta run. Class is calling. Bye, guys."
(She walks away. Alex waves. Then turns to Paul.)
Alex:"Come on, man. You're my best friend. Why you gotta call me out like that in front of everyone?"
Paul (laughs, heading off):
"Best friend? Please. You did this to yourself. Anyway, I’m not getting caught in your girl drama. I'm out."
(Paul leaves. Alex stands alone. He sighs and picks up a small rock from the cracked courtyard stones. Looks up at the gray sky.)
Alex (to himself):
"Fall sucks. College sucks. But hey... class is about to start."
(He rushes off — late again.



It was a rainy Friday night at CJ’s Diner, one of the most popular spots for any college dorm crowd. Paul and Stacey were obviously together. Stacey was quiet and reserved, while Paul stayed quiet but observant, wearing a classic black and brown combo.
Stacey looked effortlessly graceful, wearing a typical white shirt and blue jeans.
They were the long-term couple — going strong for six years, high school sweethearts.
The school crowd was there, and so was Jean — tall, with long brown hair that curled softly over her shoulders. She smiled with grace and care. Everyone was having a swingin’ time.
Alex walked in.
“Sooo… Paul, thanks for the invite.”
Paul, exaggerating: “Who invites this guy again? Alright, I’ma head out.”
Stacey laughed, brushing his arm. “You’re funny. But stop — be nice.” Then she turned to Alex with a monotone voice, but a warmth behind it. “Hi, Alex.”
Then came Jeremy — long-haired, rugged.
“Paul, you’re such a jerk,” he said. “Leave him alone. Come on, Alex. Sit down.”
Alex tried, “Come on, Paul… you intend me, right?”
Paul replied, “Loser? No. But whatever, I’ma be nice today, I guess.”
As they all ordered food, Alex had a slice of pie with coffee. Jeremy had wings, listening to the soft jazz playing across the room. Paul and Stacey shared pancakes drizzled with syrup, while Paul munched on a ham and cheese sandwich. Alex looked around, enjoying the space and warmth in the air.
Boom.
Alex froze.
He saw her — Jean — walking in through the diner door, laughing with her friends. And just like that, something shifted inside him. His breath caught. It wasn’t just attraction; it was like gravity. A pull. As if the whole room dimmed and she was the only thing glowing.
Time slowed for a second.
Her hair flowed over her shoulders like soft waves, her smile easy and kind. She looked like she didn’t have to try to be beautiful — she just was.
“Guys… she’s here. She’s here,” Paul muttered, finishing his food.
But Alex wasn’t listening to Paul anymore. He was still staring at Jean.
Paul snorted. “Bruh, I feel bad for that girl. She gotta deal with you. Poor girl gonna suffer.”
Alex, timid — like a scared kid reaching for a flashlight: “Shut up, Paul. I’m just asking for an honest opinion.”
Paul shot back, “Yeah, and I’m giving you one, freak.”
Jeremy barked, “Wanker! You’re so rude to him. What did he do to you?”
Paul shrugged, “He was born. And annoying.”
He smirked, “Watch — he gonna go over there like a little boy, say hi, and be weird.”
Stacey, drawn into the conversation: “Why are you always like this, babe? What’s going on with you two?”
Paul shrugged, “Nothing. He started it.”
Alex sighed, “Ugh. Never mind. Sorry I asked.”
“Well guys,” he said, “I made money this week. I’ll pay for the appetizers and stuff.”
Paul lifted his coffee, warm and calm. “Thanks, buddy.”
Stacey smiled. “Yeah, thanks, Alex. Really sweet of you.”
Jeremy grinned, “You got money now, huh? Lol — thanks, man.”
Alex left quietly, picking up the crumpled twenty dollars he’d made doing a quick oil change.