“Good morning everyone! I just woke up and I’m quite excited for this day.”

I stretched a bit.

“Now let me just prep a bit, ‘cause I’m so excited to give you a tour of the city. Well…not that I know much about it, so let’s explore together!”

I just woke up but I decided to already film some short intro clips for my vlog.

I may not look flattering, but I really love giving my vlogs a more "up-close and personal" feel. I want to be more relatable, or personable, whichever way you'll call it. Probably one of the reasons why I was able to capture the heart of my viewers.

And because I'm not in a hurry, I just stayed in bed and checked my phone.

Checking my phone right after I wake up has become a part of my daily routine. Not being able to do so makes me feel like something’s lacking. Not to the extent where I can compare it to losing a meal, but I’d say it’s close enough.

Immediately, I went to check the comments on my vlogs. I’m glad that I didn’t see a negative comment yet.

Every now and then, I’d get, probably one or two negative comments, and it almost always is based off of the way I talk—exaggerated, nonsense.

At first, it really fazed me, but eventually, I got used to it. I don’t get it all the time anyway, plus it’s not as bad as what other vloggers are getting. I just choose to ignore it.

I then noticed this comment from an ejandrada.

Hi Avery. You really do have a nice content. Your shots, the transitions, the way you time the music is brilliant. It’s quite obvious though that you can still be a bit awkward when you talk, but I really commend you for the effort you’re putting here.

I hope you don’t take this the wrong way though.

Interesting.

That person complimented my videos but somehow made a comment on my speaking ability. Truth be told, he actually has a point.

Growing up as a shy kid, I was never really a good communicator. When I picked up vlogging as a hobby, that’s probably the time I really learned how to talk to others—well, in front of a camera that is.

I then replied:

Oh, wow. Thanks! I really appreciate the feedback. I can’t promise that I can talk well anytime soon, ‘cause I’ve always been a crappy speaker. 😂

After a few minutes, I noticed that that person replied.

ejandrada:

You’re NOT a crappy speaker. Don’t think that. Just keep having fun with what you’re doing.

I appreciated what he said, so I just liked his comment and replied; Thanks!

I also checked my other social media accounts, replied to and liked some comments. So far, there wasn’t a lot of negativity. It was a great way to start the day.

“Hi everyone! I’m now here at the Forthworth Museum of History. I actually had a hard time thinking of where to go first since there are lots of attractions here in Forthworth, but I realized that since I’m still getting to know this city, might as well get to know its history first.”

I then got inside the museum and started vlogging while showing the different collections showcased here.

When I finished touring, I decided to take a break at a park outside the museum. Good thing there were some street vendors outside, so I opted to buy some snacks before looking for a place to seat.

Not far from where I was, I saw a treehouse which seemed empty, so I went there.

I was shocked by who I saw once I got in. "Oh, Ethan- ah, hi”. There he was sitting on one corner of the treehouse munching on a pizza.

Yet again, he’s in his signature black ensemble—black shirt, black jogger pants, and black runners.

“I…I’ll just look for another place”, I can't stay still.

“It’s okay. It’s public property, we can share.”

I thought twice. In the few days I've been here in Forthworth, I still haven't met anyone I could consider a friend. Maybe this is a start.

“Okay, I’ll just sit over there”, I pointed at the corner opposite him.

To be honest, I'm actually scared of being alone in this space with him. I don't usually get this nervous around other people, but I feel as though there are butterflies in my stomach.

“If you don’t mind me asking…”, he said.

“Hmm?”, I replied.

“What brings you here?”

I was thinking of the best way to answer.

“I, uh, I’m taking videos…for my vlog”, I added because he probably wouldn't understand why I needed to take videos.

"Oh, wow", he said with a smile.

"Yeah, it's embarrassing." I said while looking down.

“No, I don’t mean it like that. I actually find it cool.”

“Really?”, I asked agape.

“Well, yeah. I mean, you try to talk to a lot of people. That’s cool.”

“Thanks then”, I muttered with a shy smile.

He offered me a slice of pizza. I kept declining because I feel like we're not that close yet, but he kept on insisting, so I eventually took one.

We were just eating silently when he said, “Can I ask another question?”

“Sure.”

“What are you vlogging about?”

“Right now, I’m taking a tour of this city, so, uh…the tourist attractions here?”

“Where have you been to so far?”

"Aside from this museum? Well, university, condominium...and the mall near the condominium?", I said, hesitantly.

“That’s…not a lot. I can show you around.”

“It’s okay…I can be on my own”, the last one almost sounding like a whisper.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Do I make you feel uncomfortable?", he asked with a tinge of dismay.

"No, it's not you. It's-", we stared at each other before I was able to speak, "I, uh, I don't feel too comfortable speaking when someone's around."

He didn't say anything and just looked at me with a reassuring smile. So I gave in.

“But, okay, you can show me around. It will be good to have an inside scoop on places around here”, I added.

I just thought that if I'd really want to discover this place better, I really should know someone from here. And so far, he's the only person I know...if I can consider the couple of times we ran into each other.

He smiled back at me, “Trust me. After this tour, you’ll feel like a local.”

He talked to me about the places here in Forthworth, and afterwards, we decided to clean up and head out.

Since we both brought our vehicles, I let him take the lead and just followed him around like a convoy.

Even when he's bringing his sports car, he was driving pretty slowly just so I could follow. We didn't go that far anyway. He brought me to Le Canale.

It's a mystery that this place wasn't listed in one of the tourist attractions of Forthworth that I found online because this is so magnificent—albeit a bit run down—I can still compare it to a couple of water villages in Europe.

On the middle part's a big lake that has an islet. And you can reach it via canals which are surrounded by a couple of cottages. Some seemed okay, and some, very dilapidated.

There are also a couple of boats that can be used to tour the area.

"Sir Jared!" said a guy in one of the boats, "you're with someone?"

"Oh, yeah, it's special", he answered.

I was curious what he meant by that.

"Is she the one?" the guy asked before turning to me, "you know, ma'am, this is the first time he's ever brought a girl here."

Ethan just shook his head while pointing at a boat, "We'll use that one."

"Sure", the guy answered.

Ethan turned to look at me before asking, "Let's go?"

"Wait. I still haven't filmed on this part", I answered.

"Okay. Do your thing", he said with a smile.

I tried to stay at an arm's length away from him and tried to think of the things to say about this place, but nothing really comes up. I'm quite nervous and can't speak, and to add to that, I can notice that he keeps looking at my direction every now and then.

When you think about it, no one's really here compared to the other places I go to when vlogging, but I guess I'm too scared to screw this up. It’s like I don’t want him to see me making a fool out of myself.

Still unable to speak, I just went to him. "I'm good now."

He just smiled and guided me towards the boat.

We went to this islet in the middle and he was the one paddling while I was just taking videos of the place.

"Uh, why is no one around?" I asked. It's been bugging me since we got here. "I mean, I thought tourist spots were always crowded."

“Well, this was actually an old tourist spot. This was famous about a decade ago”, he said.

He stopped paddling and continued, "the hype died down eventually when most establishments in the city got big. The tenants left and the previous owners decided to sell it. Right now, it's just a private property that's not on the priority list of things to be developed."

"Good thing you can still get in?", I asked.

"Well, it belongs to someone I know, and I guess I've always been fond of this place that's why I always go here", and he continued paddling, "especially when I need to unwind."

“Oh, okay. I see”, was the only thing I managed to say.

“What else do you wanna know?”

“Why did you bring me here then?”, I asked.

“Let’s see…I’m a serial killer who preys on girls who know nothing about this city, I bring them in a deserted area, stab them, and throw their body in the lake?”

“Uh-huh, that’s why you always wear black, so the blood stains won't be obvious", I said with a straight face.

“Is that what you want to hear?”, he asked me with a challenging look.

“Was that the real answer?”, I stared back at him.

“What do you think?”

We held on to our challenging stares, until we both burst out laughing.

And in that moment I knew…despite the nerves, the butterflies in my stomach, I feel safe and happy being around him.

When we reached the islet, I didn't expect there to be a small meal prepared for us—picnic style.

The curiosity probably registered on my face that he offered, "I asked him to prepare it because I know we'd be here by lunchtime." 

"I guess you're very prepared then. Now where's the knife, or gun, Mr. Serial Killer?", I taunted.

He laughed. "Shut up, Avery. Just eat."

We just sat on the grass and started eating, but I still had a couple of questions I wanted to ask him.

“Ethan.”

He looked at me.

“Seriously, why did you bring me here?”, I asked.

He stopped eating and just stared at me softly, “because you were the change I’ve been waiting for.”

Even though more questions arised from that statement, I just gave back a smile. I didn't really know how to respond to that.

So while eating I just tried to ask him more about this city and about the university life.

I found out that he's on his second year studying Film Studies.

He also grew up here in Forthworth, but they stayed in the U.S. when he was in junior and senior high because of his parent's work, and now he's back here for university.

Apparently, he still has some friends here, but not a lot of close ones except for a chosen few.

Talking to him more made me feel more at ease with him. 

But the skies suddenly grew dark, so we decided to clean up and head to the boat right away. 

"Do you want me to paddle or not?", I asked when I noticed that he still isn't paddling.

"No, wait. I'll just take a photo", he said while taking his phone from his pocket.

“Of what?”

“Just…stay still.”

“Okay”, I just looked at the side because I wasn't sure what his subject would be. Even though I don't want to assume, I also wouldn't want to look hideous on that picture.

"Here", he showed me the photo he took. It was a silhouette of me, and he managed to capture the scenery and the varying shades of the sky.

"That's so pretty! You can pass as an instagram boyfriend", I said mindlessly.

"Yeah, right", he said as he started paddling.

"No, seriously. I bet your instagram feed looks really neat."

"And who will I be an instagram boyfriend to?", he smirked. "You?"

I just rolled my eyes and shook my head, "just keep on paddling, it might rain soon."

Though in separate vehicles, we went home together.

Whenever I tried to speed up because he's tailing me, he'd honk his horn which forces me to slow down. I don't know what's up with him. So when we got into the parking area of the building we live in, I immediately asked him about it.

“Don’t you wanna drive fast?”

“I do, but you shouldn’t.”

"That's unfair. You were making me drive like I was an old lady", I protested.

“Better safe than sorry.”

I just rolled my eyes at his reply and got in the elevator which already has a couple of people.

When we were the only ones left, he suddenly spoke. “I’m free tomorrow. If you want to, I can still show you around.”

“I’ll think about it. You weren’t very useful as a tour guide.”

“I’m sorry if I failed to meet your standards, ma’am.”

“Crazy. You brought me to an abandoned place and we just ate, that wasn’t a tour”, I chuckled then pouted.

“Then just think of it as a date.” He answered as we reach the floor where my unit is. I didn't look back and say goodbye because I wasn't sure what my expression was.

When I reached my unit, I can't help but smile. I look so stupid smiling and shaking my head alone.

I can’t believe that in a matter of days here in Forthworth, I already made a friend—out of my crush—and had my first date.

Back in Hatteras, there were a couple of guys who asked me out on a date, but I’ve always been skeptical of being seen with a guy there.

A date has never happened to me before. And right now, it just did. In an unexpected way.

I actually kinda wanna hit him up and ask what he meant, but I didn’t wanna assume things.

And…I just realized that we didn’t manage to exchange phone numbers or social media accounts.

I tried to search for “Ethan Jared” on instagram, since I heard the guy earlier call him Jared, but there was no match.

I then went to Facebook, and the result’s still the same.

I was disappointed and I tried to shake it off.

For the rest of the day, I just kept myself busy—editing my vlog, sorting out photos to post on instagram.

Laying down in bed now, I can’t help but look at the few photos I managed to take at Le Canale.

I guess time really flies fast when you’re having fun. I actually forgot the initial purpose of why we were there, and just got busy talking to him.

As I was about to put my phone down and go to sleep, I received a notification on Instagram.

ejandrada tagged you in a post

It was that photo he took of me earlier.

Now I don’t think I can go to sleep anytime soon.