Bicycles and Such

Alaistair bought a bicycle during his first week at the University of O. and rode it to the large academic building on the western side of campus. He was running late per his usual manner but managed to deftly lock his bicycle to the rack near the parking lot and across from the building. Realizing that he would be awfully sweaty after making the fairly lengthy ride, he brought an extra shirt. Alastair stode with the early afternoon sun beating down upon him. At that moment, a girl rode up and thought it extremely odd to be greeted with such an anomalous sight. Alastiar was aware that this stranger was looking at him, but he tried not to act as if anything were amiss. He merely continued fumbling with his dry, button-down shirt, maybe trying to appear stoic and as though he were trying to see something that was not there and existed off beyond the horizon.

Once he finished with his own arduous task, Alastair turned abruptly towards the entrance to the academic building and walked with an air of purpose.

The girl, Amelia, was a bit perplexed. This was hardly the situation she envisioned once she realized that she was running almost ten minutes late. Rushing towards the orientation and peddling harder and harder, she didn't think she would be rewarded with the sight of a lean, male, nearly post-adolescent body. She followed the boy into the academic building, stood behind him in line as they collected all the necessary folders and packets, and took a seat positioned diagonally behind him.

A lady was speaking. She turned the floor over to a portly, grey beard of a professor standing off in the corner of the lecture hall. He had a great, big smile on his face and introduced himself as Dr. R of the psychology department at the prestigious University of O. He related to his audience his long association with the yearly orientations, and a tinge of sadness entered his voice as he remarked that this would be his last.

Retirement seemed like a rather odd concept. The irony of the old man's imminent departure being coupled with his anticipated, yet silent emergence into this locale of higher education was not lost upon Alastair. He was momentarily bemused by the thought but managed rapt attention to the retiring professor's active speech and gesticulations.

Amelia saw the old man talking but found herself distracted by the boy's constant fidgeting. It suddently drove her mad. She tried to concentrate elsewhere, but her efforts proved futile. Suddenly the motion stopped, and she realized that the boy was introducing himself to her. Amelia was confused, and her look of bewilderment amused the boy. He started to giggle, said, "My name is Alastair," and then said that he oftentimes found himself daydreaming during class as well. Amelia blushed and let out a soft murmur. Alastair was barely aware that she had spoken aloud, and the concept of having conversation would have been lost on him if he had not seen her lips move slightly during the middle of his discourse on absent-mindedness and the such. Alastair gave his winning smile and apologized for not hearing correctly.

"My name is Amelia."

...Some More

• Alastair Templeton


• Alastair


• Lost in the Penumbra