Part 3: A Change of Place
Travis
A few months had passed since that day, and I felt... a little better. Not completely, but better. The days had become routine again—classes, friends, assignments. Life had returned to its usual rhythm, even though I still couldn't shake the feeling of something unsettled inside me.
But there was one thing that hadn't changed: the dreams.
Every night, it was the same person. But the scenes, the places—those were always different, like something out of a fantasy story. One night, I would find myself standing in a glowing forest with silver trees, their leaves shimmering like stars. The next, I was on top of a high cliff, looking out at a vast kingdom surrounded by a sparkling ocean. Sometimes, I was in a grand castle, its towering spires stretching toward the clouds, with the air filled with the scent of roses and magic. No matter where I was, though, the person in my dreams was always the same—his face, his smile, his voice. His face was always blurry, like I couldn't quite bring it into focus. I could see the outline of him—the shape of his features, the way he smiled, the way his eyes seemed to glow with some unspoken emotion. But no matter how hard I tried, I could never make out his face clearly.
It was strange. These places were unreal, but the man felt so familiar, so real, like someone I had known forever, even though I couldn't remember him from anywhere.
It made me feel uneasy. Why was I dreaming of him in all these fantastical settings? What was the connection? And why did it always feel like I was supposed to be there with him, in those places, living those moments?
Every time I woke up, it felt like I had lost something—something important—but I couldn't remember what or who it was.
It bothered me, more than I wanted to admit.
Those dreams were starting to drive me insane. On top of that, I still couldn't get over Hiro. I kept telling myself that it wasn't a big deal, that I shouldn't be thinking about him so much, but it wasn't that simple. He felt so familiar, like I'd known him for years, but the only real memory I had of him was from that brief moment at the event in our department.
It was maddening.
Every time I thought about it, I felt like I was losing my mind. I wanted to scream, to shout out my frustration, but I didn't. I kept it inside, buried under layers of confusion.
Then, one day, I decided I needed a break from all of it. A change of scenery. I couldn't stay in this restless state anymore. So, I planned a trip. I'd spend the weekend out of town, at my grandparents' house in the countryside. Fresh air, quiet surroundings, and a little peace. I also thought it would be a good opportunity to take some photos for my task this semester.
When I arrived at my grandparents' house, I greeted them with a smile. They were always so welcoming, always asking how I was doing. After chatting for a bit, I told them I was going to head out and explore the place, hoping that the peaceful environment would help clear my head.
It was exactly what I needed. Or at least, I hoped it would be.
When I arrived at my grandparents' house, I was greeted with the familiar warmth of their presence. "Hey, Grandma, Grandpa," I said, offering a tired smile as I stepped inside.
They both looked up and smiled back, their faces lighting up at the sight of me. Grandma, always quick to notice anything, was the first to speak. "Travis, dear, it's good to see you! How's everything? How's school?"
Grandpa, with his usual quiet but kind gaze, added, "You look a little worn out, son. Everything okay?"
I nodded, brushing off the weight I was carrying. "Yeah, everything's fine. Just a lot on my plate lately. School's been a bit overwhelming."
Grandma's expression softened as she set down her knitting. "You always push yourself too hard, Travis. Don't forget to rest."
I gave her a small smile, grateful for her concern. "I know, Grandma. I was actually thinking of taking a walk around the place. I could use some fresh air and some time to clear my head."
Grandpa gave me a slow nod, his voice low and knowing. "That sounds like a good idea. A change of scenery never hurts. Just be careful, alright? Come back before it gets dark."
"I will," I promised, already feeling the weight on my shoulders ease just a little in their presence.
After a few more quiet moments, I grabbed my camera, slipped outside, and let the silence of the countryside surround me. It felt like exactly what I needed—at least, I hoped it would. I wandered around the countryside, looking for moments to capture. The people, the pets, the plants—everything felt like a perfect subject. Even the passing vehicles had their own charm in this peaceful setting. It was exactly what I needed. My mind felt lighter, and the camera in my hands seemed to be doing the job of capturing both the world around me and the thoughts inside me.
But then, the sun's heat hit me harder than I expected. It wasn't long before I started feeling a little drained. I decided to take a break and found a nearby park, hoping the shade would help.
The park was quiet, the kind of peaceful that made you feel like you could breathe easier. I sat on a bench and watched the children running around, laughing and playing. Some of them were chasing after their pets, their joy infectious. It was a beautiful sight—exactly the kind of calm I'd needed.
But just as I was starting to feel at ease, I heard a familiar voice from my side.
"You're the guy who takes pictures at the event, right?"
I turned to look, and my heart skipped a beat. Standing beside me was Hiro.
I blinked a few times, unsure if I was imagining it. "Uh, yeah, that's me. Travis," I said quickly, feeling my nerves kick in. "What... What are you doing here?"
Hiro smiled, looking around the park. "This is my hometown," he said casually. "What about you? What are you doing here?"
I swallowed, trying to calm my nerves. "I'm visiting my grandparents," I explained. "Just taking pictures for a school task. Thought the countryside would be a good place for it."
Hiro chuckled softly. "What a small world, huh?"
I nervously chuckled back, unsure of what else to say. The moment felt awkward, a bit too quiet. We both sat there, with nothing but the sounds of children playing and birds chirping filling the air.
Then Hiro broke the silence. "How about I show you around? There are some places here you might not have seen before."
I hesitated, unsure if I should accept his offer. I wasn't sure about spending more time with him, but something about it felt right. It wasn't like I had anywhere else to be, and maybe seeing more of the town would help me get out of my head.
"Okay," I finally said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Sure, I'd like that."
Hiro led me around town, showing me all the hidden spots I hadn't noticed before. We visited the plaza at the center of town, where the hustle and bustle of everyday life filled the air. Then we walked through the rice fields, watching the hardworking farmers at work, their movements synchronized with the land. It felt peaceful, like everything had its place. We even stopped by a few small shops by the roadside, where local goods and fresh produce were sold.
The last stop on Hiro's little tour was a lake hidden deep in the forest near the town. It felt like a secret, a safe haven far from the noise of the world. The water was clear, reflecting the trees and the sky above in perfect harmony. It was like something out of a storybook.
We sat by the side of the lake, both of us mesmerized by the view. The sound of the gentle breeze rustling through the trees was calming, and the air smelled fresh and clean. It was the kind of place you could just lose yourself in, letting the world slip away.
I pulled out my camera and started taking some shots, capturing the beauty of the place. Every photo felt like it did justice to the scene before me.
Then, for a short moment, I noticed something. Hiro had moved over to the side of a big tree near the lake. He closed his eyes, laying back against the trunk, feeling the breeze on his skin. The calm expression on his face made him look even more serene, like he truly belonged there.
I couldn't resist. I quickly raised my camera and snapped the shot. The photo came out better than I expected. It was beautiful, just like him in that moment.
After taking the photo, I walked over to Hiro's side and sat down beside him. The peacefulness of the moment made me feel calm, like everything was in its place.
"This place is beautiful," I said, glancing around at the serene surroundings. "This is amazing. A great spot for photos."
Hiro looked over at me with a proud smile. "Of course," he said. "It's one of the best places in town. Not many know about it, though."
We both sat there in silence for a while, just enjoying the moment, the sounds of the lake and the breeze filling the quiet. But then, I noticed something. There was a slight shift in Hiro's expression—something in his eyes. A sadness.
I couldn't ignore it. "Hey," I asked softly, "are you okay?"
Hiro hesitated, his gaze lingering on the water for a moment before he looked at me. "I'm not," he admitted quietly. "My boyfriend... we broke up."
The words hit me like a sudden punch to the chest. My heart skipped a beat, and I could feel a mix of emotions—joy, because a part of me couldn't help but feel a tiny flicker of hope, and sadness, because Hiro was hurting.
I didn't know what to say at first. It felt like the weight of his words was pressing on me. After a beat, I tried to find something comforting to say. "I'm sure it'll be alright," I said, though I wasn't sure how true that was. "You'll get through it."
Hiro gave me a small, grateful smile, but I could tell the sadness in his eyes didn't completely fade. I just sat there with him, not knowing what else to do, but wanting to be there for him somehow.
Hiro took a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the water as he began to explain more. "It wasn't just one of us, you know. We both decided to break up. We were childhood friends, grew up together. He was my first love, actually."
I looked at him, trying to understand. "Your first love...?"
Hiro nodded slowly, the words seeming to weigh heavily on him. "Yeah. I thought I could just keep my feelings to myself. But then... he suggested we try dating. Like, an experiment, he said. To see how it feels to date a guy. So, we gave it a shot."
I could tell it had been hard for him to admit, and I didn't interrupt. I just listened, letting him speak freely.
"But in the end," Hiro continued, "we weren't on the same page. Our feelings weren't the same. It didn't work out. That's why we broke up."
I felt the weight of his words, the confusion and the pain behind them. It wasn't easy for him to share this. He was vulnerable, and I could see it in the way his shoulders tensed and how his hands gripped the grass beside him.
I sat quietly, my mind processing what he said. I could see how complicated it was for him.
"You did the right thing," I said after a while, my voice calm and steady. "It's better to be honest with each other than stay in something that doesn't feel right."
Hiro looked over at me, his eyes filled with gratitude but also a quiet sadness. "Thanks," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I appreciate you listening."
I nodded. "Of course. I'm here to listen if you need to. I'm a good listener, you see"
For a moment, we both sat in silence, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air. But somehow, it felt like we'd shared something real. Something that didn't need to be rushed or fixed, just understood.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the lake, we both knew it was time to head back. The evening air was cooler now, and I could feel the weight of the day catching up with me.
"Well," Hiro said, standing up and brushing off his pants. "I guess I should get going. It's getting late."
I nodded, but then, a thought crossed my mind. I hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Hey, Hiro... if you're not busy, would you want to come with me to my grandparents' house? For dinner?"
I scratched the back of my neck, feeling my face heat up a little. "I mean, it's the least I can do for you helping me today..."
Hiro paused for a moment, and when he noticed my face turning red, he smiled softly. "You're embarrassed, huh?"
I glanced up at him, my cheeks burning. "I... uh, I'm not usually the one to ask people to dinner."
His smile grew, just a little. "It's alright. I'd love to join you."
I felt a sense of relief and warmth spread through me at his words. The idea of spending more time with him made me feel a little lighter, somehow.
We walked back to my grandparents' house together, and once we arrived, they greeted Hiro warmly, as if they'd known him for years. We all sat down for dinner, and the night turned into a relaxed, easy conversation. We swapped stories—about our high school days, about our dreams, and about how things had changed since then. There was laughter, and even moments of quiet reflection.
As the night went on, I felt something shifting inside me. I felt a little closer to Hiro, like there was more to him than just the guy I met at the event. Maybe there was something deeper between us. And for the first time in a while, I realized I was actually happy.