Chapter Text
Driving had always seemed unnecessary when my work was only four blocks away from my house. Everyday I would walk to and from work without having to deal with the shitty parking garage the firm provided. The roof always leaked brown water and I didn’t want to know what kind of shit would get on me if I tried to maneuver my way through that damned place.
Everyday I would walk to and from work with the same commuters.
Sometimes I would notice little things, like the woman who carried a rat-like dog in her purse. The dog was yappy as fuck and I always wanted to tell her to piss off but she’s always on her phone.
Or the guy who decided that having some gaseous sports car that sped by way too fast everyday would compensate for whatever tiny-sized dick he had.
These things I noticed. They weren’t people who were there everyday but often enough to annoy me.
The others were just blurs. Just one faceless crowd. Things I didn’t notice.
One of these thing’s I didn’t notice was a brat who stopped in the middle of the street, swooped down, and almost made me go face-first into the sidewalk.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry! I was taking a photo of this flower before it got stepped on and I didn’t realize you were behind me. I’m so sorry. You aren’t hurt, right?” He immediately stood up and turned to apologize. I stood up myself and brushed off. When I turned I met the reddened face of a kid with messy brown hair that didn’t look fully brushed. He had these bright blue-green eyes and he was still talking even as I stood straight.
“Watch where the fuck you’re going.” I was harsh, I was with everyone.
His expression changed from apologetic and embarrassed, but it wasn’t shocked or hurt like most people, it was indignant anger, it was pride.
“Hey! I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to trip you!” He retorted.
“Yeah, well, you fucking did.” It should have ended there, I was going to walk away but he kept going.
“On accident!” He persisted, “Besides, it’s not like you actually fell or anything.”
“Says the brat who just wasted ten minutes of my life giving me a shitty explanation.” I glanced at my watch, it had definitely been less than ten minutes but I didn’t care.
“More like two minutes! And it’s a good explanation too.” He was stubborn.
“Taking a photo of a flower is a good explanation?” I scoffed.
“Yes! I mean, look at it!” He stepped aside and gestured to a small purplish-blue flower poking out of a crack in the concrete. Small, delicate, and surrounded by people who could so easily crush it under their foot and not give a fuck.
“It’s great right…” He sounded distant, then, “Even if Professor Pixis doesn’t accept it as a nature photo, I’m still glad I captured it…” He was mumbling to himself.
“Fine, great, whatever.” I turn, “Have fun with your flowers, kid.” I waved him off and continued on. I didn’t look back, and the only thought I ever gave him that day was when Hanji commented I was later than usual. And I blamed a shitty brat who’s name I didn’t even know.