Chapter Text
Oh, the joy for this awaited day
This has been written on my calendar
Making me want to yell, “hooray!”
My favorite author, Virgil, was around
For a meet and greet at a bookstore
The place was not so far from my hometown.
I held my favorite book, The Aeneid
In a childish mood, it was in my grasp
A signature in my copy was what I needed.
My friends rather do anything except hang out with me
But who would want to lose the chance to their favorite author?
I was practically jumping around with the feeling of glee.
I didn’t want to need to carry my book
All the time (eventually my arms will tire out).
I’ll take it in a bag, hopefully it won’t affect my look.
I took all necessities, including keys and phone.
In excitement my mind was full and
I walked to the nearest bus stop all alone.
People around me knew where I was heading
I could hear murmurs in the air,
When hearing, I begin dreading
About my own decisions and it fills my mind
I despise how their opinions affect me
Peace and joy is something I manage to find.
In my own writings and keeping myself entertained
(Virgil’s stories are great at keeping me hooked).
I am quite certain that I have never complained.
Before I knew it the bus had arrived
I stepped inside and paid the bus fare
And continued to sit at a spot and my enthusiasm was revived.
On the way to the meeting place, I ended up dozing off
I soon began to dream about what could possible happen
If I told you, you’d most likely respond with a scoff.
I was soon awoken when I heard I was at my destination,
As quickly as I could I stood up from my seat.
I ran out of the vehicle with my love and adoration
For Virgil that was something giving me a spur.
I have no reason to keep it hidden.
The idea of meeting my idol made my stomach stir.
As I got closer to the bookstore I noticed the length of the line
It even managed to get out of the building,
I understand why, his writings are simply quite divine!
After waiting for God knows how long, the line felt as if it was moving
“I’m positive I’ll be able to at least get his signature,
All this waiting made me begin to feel commoving”
But I knew I needed to be patient, so I waited and waited.
I tried to not think too much about the delay
By now many people from the line have vacated.
I kept my hopes up, I’ve waited so long for this moment
The line kept shortening because of its own length
But I stayed and ignored my opponent.
The sun kept moving and the line finally began to feel like it did too
I was close to the entrance of the building
And I began to dream once more, about you-know-who.
I was practically sleepwalking into the establishment's entry way
Someone tapped my shoulder to wake me up
Luckily I snapped out of it and saw the works of Virgil on display.
The people in front of me were just as thrilled as I am
I heard them whispering and chatting
Listening to them converse made me want to say, “damn,
I’m just as thrilled as you are!” but I didn’t say a thing.
I wanted to save that for my beloved author
I don’t want to appear that I only arrived to swing
By. I know I should have thought was I going to say on the way here
Though I couldn’t help myself marvel about him.
I know I don’t have anything to worry about or even fear,
Still I don’t want to appear ignorant to the one I look up to.
Ever since I read I began to read his works,
my love for Virgil (as an author and partner) for him grew.
I will keep quiet about that, I’m sure others feel the same about others, right?
I took notice about I was only a few people away from him
Thinking about how my turn was coming up made my face turn white
In the idea of me conversing with him. Made me feel both ecstatic and worried
Too talk with him. Maybe I could also get to shake his hand
Though that is too far of a stretch. I understand that is something I don’t need.
The butterflies in my stomach appear to breed because I began to
Shake all over, especially my hands.
I’m praying to the Lord above to help me go through
This upcoming situation. I have great trust and faith in Him
And knew that he can’t do all the work.
I quickly went through to book and began to skim
Through the pages to strike up a chat about his novel
(It’s not like we’ll be able to talk much anyway)
I don’t want this interaction between us to be awful.
I clutched the book between my hands as if someone was going to take it away
From me. There was just one person ahead of me and I was sure
Virgil probably thought I was a nervous wreck full of disarray.
When the person in front of me left, I could feel his gaze on me.
I felt as if his eyes pierce right through me.
I opened my mouth to speak, but my words were the one to flee
From my mouth. I’m positive Virgil thought I was an idiot.
I extended my book to him, “I love your works, could you sign my copy of it?”
From his face, I saw him begin to insidiate.
I saw his grin and he said, “of course I will.”
I wanted to squeal like a teenage girl but I held it in.
Once he signed it, he held the book out to me with no ill
Judgment appearing as his face. When I got my hands on my copy
I felt him tug me closer to him, “I want to talk to you afterwards.”
I nodded and felt my movements become choppy.
I nodded without a word and turned around to walk aside to a different area.
I hugged my book close to my chest
Now I'm really feeling the hysteria.
I went somewhere behind a bookshelf and let myself squeal.
I was curious as to why he wanted to talk to me.
With myself I need to be honest and real
I’m most likely not the only one he said that too.
It is necessary for me to be realistic
Imagine if I was the only one to be with my dear Virgil? But who knew.
I sat down on the floor and leaned my back against the shelf.
I smiled upon seeing his signature in my book.
This meant more to me than any amount of pelf.
The time people had to meet Virgil came to a conclusion
And the people leaving turned their heads towards me.
While waiting I did feel more confusion,
“Why did he want to talk to me after the gathering?”
I questioned the air in front of me.
I don’t want to find myself blathering
And making myself look like a lousy bum who’s a dumbass.
(Oh boy there I go again with the nerve-racking thoughts.)
I closed my eyes and hoped that the interaction between us surpass
His expectations. I looked at the time on my phone and figured out
Virgil was free by now. I rose from where I was and began to search for him,
As I went through everywhere I began to feel doubt.
I sighed and shook my head, I wasn’t in disbelief that this occurred.
Perhaps he wanted to laugh a little, if he did, he got it.
I looked around one last time to get myself assured.
I exited the building and had my attention caught by a voice,
“Hey, I’ve been waiting for you.”
I was surprised to find Virgil waiting for me by choice.
“And I’ve been looking for you,” was my reply,
“This was the last place I thought where I'd find you.”
I don’t know why this guy
Was waiting at this specific spot rather than inside.
He had his arms crossed across his chest but he had a smile on his face.
Virgil eyed me if I could be one to be relied
On. He shrugged his shoulders as a response but his body
Language did not help me at all. Was he disappointed?
Did I ruin my appearance? Was I too shoddy
Looking for him? Virgil then started to speak,
“I saw a restaurant nearby, maybe we can get to know each other.”
Once more I was at a loss of words and could barely give a squeak.
I gave a gesture to show that I agreed with what he said,
We walked together to the place with no words exchanged.
The least that I could do was hold the door open for him as he
Lead the way as how a tour guide does.
I most likely would have stayed at home if he had never
Asked me to stay. Wondering why he did filled my head with a fuzz.
And now, I am not opposed to doing this. I’m disappointed on how
It troubles me and even holds me back from doing what I want to.
Just now I managed to notice Virgil’s features and I held back from saying, “wow.”
While I was stuck with my own thoughts, he found a table for us to sit.
I still couldn’t believe I was with Virgil. He is pretty much a celebrity to me.
(You could say he is my “celebrity crush”) but I still can't believe this is legit!
I sat myself in front of him and wondered what to say. He placed his elbows on the table
And rested his chin on his hands, “I’m sure you have a question or two.”
I squeezed the strap of my satchel and tried to get myself stable.
I swallowed my fears and I pulled my guts together to ask what I wanted too,
“I have always wondered how you managed to write the Aeneid in such great detail.”
Before he could even I began to form a few
Other questions to put forward in front of him. But I decided to wait for what he would say.
“I truly love Roman history and Homer’s works were a great reference and help.
While writing this, I wanted the reader to feel as if they
Were living through that era following a young ruler.”
Before anything else, the waiter came by to take our order.
Me already being embarrassed enough, didn’t want to disappoint someone so much cooler
Than I am. For my drink I ordered a coffee and a soup to not appear like a glut.
I watched him speak to the waiter and began to wonder what else I could ask.
I noticed he wasn’t wearing a ring on his finger. I knew it was rude to bring it up, but
I couldn’t hold myself back. Once I had the chance I let myself go forward,
“Excuse,” I began to whisper, “I’m interested in why you don’t have a ring on your finger.”
The second I ended my sentence, he gave a response in a lowered
Tone compared to his usual form of speech. “Why does that worry you so much?
I’ve noticed the same thing about you, that’s quite hypocritical of you.”
I bit my lip and looked away from him. My clutch
On my bag became stronger with shame. Not only that,
My face turned red due to the mortification I experienced.
This reminded me of the fact
That my parents wonder the same thing about me, at my age I should have married already.
By now I should even have begun a family. Oh, there’s no turning back now.
I regret what I have uttered. This is only making me even more unsteady.
Virgil leaned forward, keeping his balance on his hands, and his serious expression
Became smug. “Unless you are planning on asking me out?”
Oh boy, I didn’t expect this to be how this was going to be my confession.
I felt my blood run cold as if I was in the center of Cocytus (from my Inferno).
His eyes kept on daunting me.The only thing I can do is set my gaze low.