I found university sponsored events lame. So much that I made it part of my identity to signal to people, I am not a dipshit who goes to those things.
Then Riley asked if I'd have time that weekend to catch a film at the University Cinema. I was nothing short of elated. I didn't give a fuck what movie it was. All that possessed me were images of the night, it grew dark early those days, and the cold. Us wearing peacoats, hands tucked within pockets, walking under campus lanterns over to Briggs Hall. Hundred year plus old trees brisling in the wind in the background. No snow, not yet.
This is what I liked about Riley. I wasn't thinking about getting in her pants or anything. I liked the simple things. Like the air of early winter before snow descended. That time when you wondered whether it was still autumn or could you say winter had arrived. In a way I convinced myself this is what made me actually like her. Just a
heuristic
I guess.
I didn't have a car, but the great thing about being in college and living where I was was that you didn't need one. Walking was not much slower given the way traffic and parking worked. And it was certainly less of a headache. In fact, these walks relieved pressure and weight that would build up in my head throughout the day. Some days I'd be anxiously about to implode in front of my laptop only to realize few minutes later that all I needed was a walk.
That was how I felt that evening on my walk home. I almost didn't want to arrive just yet. Wished that I lived just a little further away. I thought about walking more, but as I was in sight of my house I saw the mosquito door open and came out
Jameson
.
