“Cause I know I don’t belong, here in heaven…”

I shut my ipod off. I’ve been on this bench for almost two hours now and yet I haven’t finished my poem. All I see on my paper are doodles of all kind.

I’ve been staring at a plant that I can’t remember the name when suddenly someone tripped on my foot and almost landed on top of me.

“Watch it!”

“Oh! I’m sorry!” the guy stared at me. “And you are?”

I made a face. “I’m irritated.” I can’t help but roll my eyes.

“I see you’ve been here for quite a while now,” he settled on the spot beside me. I frowned.

Maybe he felt I didn’t have even the slightest intention to respond, so he continued, “What’s keeping you busy?”

I sighed heavily. Who is this guy? I’m not in the mood to socialize.

“Some stuff.” I was surprised at how flat my voice sounded.

“Okay. I know I shouldn’t have tripped on your foot on purpose…” I shot him a dagger look.

“But I really meant what I said, I’m sorry. I really am.” He was silent for a moment.

“I’m Nathan by the way. Sorry if I irritated you.” Then he was on his way to the next bench. I didn’t notice him there before.

Then he was minding his own business not long after he left me. He seemed nice though, it was not easy to apologize just after a prank. I have to give him some credit for that. So on my way home, I decided to be friendly at least for one last time.

“I accept your apology.” He lifted his face from the book he was reading. “Aside from irritated, I’m Harley.”

He smiled. He wasn’t that bad after all. “I apologize again. Watch your step on your way home.”

“I will.”

I haven’t seen the guy since then. But one afternoon while I was waiting for an old friend from college to show up, I found myself sitting on the same bench again. I looked around and I saw him right on the bench where I first saw him. He felt someone was staring at him so he looked my way and smiled at recognition. He got up and sat beside me.