Déjà vu

Chapter 2

I undo my tie.  There’s no need to look so formal anymore.  I search for my keys and find them in my jacket pocket.  I step outside of the funeral home.  The night sky has turned a nasty color.  Great, I think, just what I need on this night.  My head is still swimming with thoughts of Isabella and how I’m never going to see her again.  There’s no way I can drive home, not unless I want to see Isa sooner than expected.

I walk to the bus stop to catch the last bus of the night.  The bus pulls up.  An elder white man smiles and says, “Hello, you’re out late aren’t you?”

“Yeah, one of those nights,” I reply and put my change into the meter. I walk to the back of the bus and take a seat.  I stare out the window and watch the rain splash against the window.  Buildings and lights pass in a blur.  I wonder if I’ll ever get out of this funk.  Twenty minutes later the bus nears the university.  I almost miss my stop I’m so out of it.  I pull down on the rope, and the ding of the bell lets the driver know this is my stop.

“Have a good night, be safe,” he says. I nod.

“Thanks, you do the same.”  I walk across campus to get to my apartment.  It’s a nice five story building right on the other side of campus.  Isabella loved it.  It has these hedges in the front that the building manager shapes into animals.  Isa’s favorite was when he had them look like elephants.  I laugh to myself, remembering her face when she saw them.  The littlest things in life always made her the happiest. I’m walking through the quad with my head down.  It would have been great to have a hood, but I don’t think they make suits with hoods.  I’m thinking about how ridiculous that would look when I bump into someone.

“Oh, sorry I wasn’t looking,” I quickly spit out.   Then, I look up and see this soaking wet girl staring back at me.  Her eyes are like honey with flecks of green.  They’re amazing.  I feel like I see right into her soul.  I feel, almost connected to her soul.  This is weird.  Why do I feel like I know her?  I must have been staring at her for a while because she asks if I’m okay.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. Sorry it’s been a long night.”

“I know what you mean.  I just transferred here and I’m already lost.”

“Oh, where do you live? I can help you find your dorm.”

“Really? That would be so great!” she squeals.

“It’s no big deal. I’m happy to help.  I’m Brandon, by the way.”

“I’m Rebecca,” she says.  Turns out she doesn’t live too far from my place.  As we’re walking we talk about normal things.  She just moved here from Portland.  She’s going to be majoring in Journalism.  She keeps going on and on about how she’s excited and nervous about starting somewhere new.  I hear what she’s saying, but it doesn’t all register.  I keep getting the feeling that I know her from somewhere, but it’s impossible.  She’s from Portland; I’ve never been to Portland.  I don’t think I even know anyone that has ever visited there either. Before I know it, we’re at her building.

“Thanks so much, you have no idea how much this means. I probably would have been wandering in the rain forever if I hadn’t bumped into you.”

“It’s really no problem.  I was walking this way anyway. I live right over there.” I point in the direction of my building.

“Oh, what a coincidence!  Well, I’d better get inside and dry off. I’m soaked,” she laughs.

“Yeah, me too.  I’m glad I could help.  Maybe I’ll see you around campus sometime”

“I hope so,” she smiles and puts her key into the door.  She turns around and waves before walking into her building.  As I walk the rest of the way to my apartment, I still can’t shake the feeling I got when I looked into her eyes.  It was almost like déjà vu, only with a person.  Is that even real? I have no idea.  Maybe my mind is just playing tricks on me.  It has been a stressful night.  I make it to my apartment and shake off my drenched suit.  I’m lying in my bed in my boxers and all I can think about is Isabella.  Then, slowly out of nowhere Rebecca slips into my mind, too.  This is just too much for one night.  I must really be out of it.  It’s time to pass out.