We make time for the people we care about, and for the things we have passion for. There should be no excuses or fault finding, only discipline and determination is necessary, in achieving even the smallest of things.

Its been a long time since I finished from the community college, my dad encouraged me to further my studies but I had no intention to do that. I didn't finish with a first class, but I was sure of securing any job prospect that comes my way.

I cant attest that i have gotten a hang of my life. On days where I am less busy, which is mostly Sunday, I walk downtown and just hide myself in the corner. I usually sit there in silence, except for the occasional rustling from rats and people walking by.

Not many of us haven't gotten a hang of their life. Karen, my beloved sister is still abroad and is a proud owner of two degrees. Karen isn't working in some hotshot company, she's developing her own digital company and working in various part time jobs. Nobody, is happy about that development and dad feels that its a waste of her impressive degrees.

We can't deny that fact, and we can't help but admire her passion for the things she is doing and loves. There is a constant reminder between the two of us, that she hasn't forgotten her degrees, they were going to come in handy one day.

And at home, the only person who is mostly likely stuck in one position is me. Hav is in high school now, and all my younger brother talks about is cute girls in his class and how much money he'd make as a young millionaire. He doesn't appear to take anything serious for now, but I know he will do just fine.

Another person who appears to have it all figured out is my all time buddy nick, nickgrapher. He got a lot of exposure after he took a nice shot of a celebrity he didn't even recognize.

Nick is doing amazing well, and he is living our boyhood dreams of traveling to places and getting paid for doing what you love. Its  funny how nick, who has gotten severe blows on all sides, is bouncing well and about as though he hasn't fallen into a mess before.

I think, the big break for all of us, was when his grandmother passed away. Nick wasn't himself and we weren't fit to console him, we were neck deep in the suddenness and pain of her death.

Nick's grandmother, was a testament of a life lived on showing love and been good. We barely got past her death. Today, I look back at the months after her death and I happy that nick didn't quit school or close down his studio. I am happy, that drew and i fought side by side, to pull him out of whirl wind of emotions.

Nick's studio that was on the edge of closing down, has moved from just a two room set up to a place,  the size of an average apartment. Nick is no longer living in Sepia, he moved in with his brother sheriff and after his big blow he relocated to cities with amazing prospect and high demand.

For andrew, my unrepentant wannabe friend, it takes several months of traveling without a definite purpose and a pregnancy, to push him to think of what he wants to do with his life. He claims he hasn't found a purpose yet, but he has a band now, and they are making some great music.

On rare occasions when Nick comes around, and I am not sitting in solitude at the corner, we meet up with drew, and drown  ourselves in various drink whilst laughing at old times, and the recent events in our lives. 

Sometimes, we take turn (myself and nick) sharing flyers for drew's upcoming shows and event.

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I just finish sorting out the last batch of drinks and cup cakes, when I feel Marj presence behind me. I intended to face him with a glare but all I could manage was a tired look.

He laughs at my expression, his golden teeth flashing against the light from the yellow bulb, then he clamps a hand on my shoulders and goes on a tirade of how I don't work at all and always wind up tired.

I receive a light punch on the shoulder and we end up cracking bad jokes and laughing at each other. Then he goes quiet and I turn to him with a worried expression, until he fake gasps and tells me what he originally came to the kitchen to tell me.

He sends me away with a wink and an encouraging smile, asking how I managed to get myself the hot chick waiting outside.

I walk outside to the open court, and as per Marj's instructions, I locate the mysterious hot chick who has been waiting outside.

The mysterious hot chick is not mysterious, she is seating on the last booth in the diner, she is  scrutinizing her surroundings with sharp aquamarine eyes, and sipping a milk shake.

I take a deep breath and pinch myself a bit, hoping the glaze would fall from my eyes, but i can see is the person I least expected. I take a seat opposite her, and I feel my chest warm at the sight of her bright smile.

We speak at the same time.
"Elsa".

"Huey".

We laugh at it, and make the same coincidence a second time. Then she walked nearer and put her arms around me for a hug. I notice the change in how her hair smells and the length of her hair. It is still brown albeit short and it cups her face.

I take a minute excuse, my heart threatening to break free with each step I take away from her. I enter the kitchen and drop my apron, i clean myself up a bit then wrote a short note addressed to the senior worker, Marj.

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Our discussions were diverse, and rooted in different topic as we walked hand in hand round the whole city. I learnt that she finished college and arrived at sepia an hour ago. We share our experiences and I fill her in on my life and relate boring tales of Sepia to her.

We stop in front of the corner,  ahough I am a head taller than her average height, we end up sharing the same breath.

I take her soft hands into mine. "Did you find yourself?".

She shakes her head. "I didn't, I actually rediscovered myself".

I nod. "So how single are you?".

"As single as the hamburger inside my belly". She laughed. "And by the way, Huey, you are bad at flirting".

I reject her conclusion, and shameless defended myself.

"I think, I might visit dad". She announced. "Maybe tomorrow or by the end of the week".

I nod and agreed to go with her.  We take our time enjoying the savor of our lips pressed together.

Fun fact: What do you think is the last component in, half of a galaxy?