Vacation Overseas

What do you do? What do you do when you are stuck in a packed room with strangers your age forced to socialize? In all honesty I didn’t mind, but it was difficult, “Just make friends,” said my parents and probably everyone else’s parents as well. I know how to start a conversation, I have many stories I tell to my friends. However, this is different, I’m not sure if I can relate with anyone because I know no one. Scanning the room filled with activities I sat down at the video game area where some kids were playing. Surprisingly, it was only a matter of time before I joined in the conversation chatting like I’ve known them for ages. Unfortunately it was also the matter of time of which I wouldn’t see them again and I knew that, ‘you’re on vacation, not school’. You can’t tell all your stories in a span of a few days, not before you part ways, and you aren’t necessarily close enough to exchange contacts. I later sat down in a corner to relax, I looked up, it’s the girl from earlier smiling at me. I’m not sure what started the conversation or what led it to be about our personal lives but it did, she asks, “What school do you go to?” “____ Middle school, it’s in ________.” I said. “Oh, I actually live near there.” She replies. 

That’s a reply I didn’t expect, but it made me smile. It made me feel joyful and carefree.

Someone told me I trust people too easily. But honestly, I’m kind of glad I do because we would’ve never kept in touch otherwise.

Even after those short moments, we kept talking about our own lives even after trips overseas, telling our own stories. Thank you I’d tell her now with a smile. Thank you for starting that conversation.

“I have a new story to tell you, and here’s how it goes..”

Awkwardly Friends? 

Some friends can go without one another and talk like they haven’t been silent for months. I envy that, it’s not like I can’t talk but every time she comes back to say ‘Hi’ I’m not sure how to act. Our age gap is so small it’s like a puddle and yet I somehow can’t jump over it. 

We grew up as cousins and yet the tension never lifts.

In order to play together someone has to ask first right? I find that difficult after having not seen a person for months on months. However, the tension lifts every time we start playing video games together and talk about our lives. We laugh and before I know it her visit is over. I stand at the door watching her family wave goodbye, it’s going to be a long time till I see her again.

Seeing her get in her car I know this awkward cycle ‘Can we play a video game together?’ will start all over again. It’s okay, I already miss her. Let’s play again next time?