Dating : I got lost in China

Here I am, in the middle of the street, close to tears. Aliens everywhere. Words elude me. I’m about to sit here. I hope I wither into a pool of nothingness. Lost on spaceship is the worst thing that can happen to you.

“Bang,” the door to my apartment snaps shut. I wake up, but still have my eyes closed thinking, “why would anyone leave the apartment before 7:30, my freaking 7:00 alarm just went off.” I pry my eyes open and check what the time is, and I freak the fuck out. It’s 8:15 and the bus to school leaves by 8:15. I jump off my bed, run to the bathroom to clean up. “I’m gonna get a didi to school,” I think. Crap! I don’t have data or cash to pay for that. Fabiola is my only saviour right now. She’ll get me a didi, I’ll survive. I’ll make it. I run to her room and cry about this predicament I’ve tumbled into. She immediately tries to get me a didi. Didi doesn’t want me this morning. No-one is awake. I’m not dragging anyone into my mess. I decide to walk. I’m in China for God’s sake. It makes sense to ask Fabi for directions. She bikes to school sometimes. She gives me the directions. I dash out of her room. I’m happily on my way to school. I’m glad to see the e-bike stand. I remember I have no data and no cash. “It can’t be that far though. 15 minutes,” I think. The time is 8:40 and I begin this journey of a lifetime. I see the Toyota car dealership that Fabi talks about, and hell yes I’m on the right track. I walk past one traffic light, and one of my legs gives out. It hurts. Should I go back? There’s no point. I’m half way there. I limp for the next block and finally stop at the second traffic light. The directions on how to continue evaporate from my brain. I forget my leg hurts. It’s not the problem right now. I can vaguely remember C15, that’s the building I’m supposed to be in right about now. It’s 9:00. I’m 30 minutes late. I’m really freaking out right about now. I spot an H building. Must be the direction I should go in. My legs move before my brain issues the order. I walk for what seems like miles. Straight pathways, twists and turns, and then I see the direction to the C building. Eureka! I’m here. No, I’m not. It’s just a building. I’m lost in this abyss. No-one speaks the same language as me, I’m certain. They’re looking at me like alien I am. My skin is coated in brown paint. I am not like them. It’s true. It’s obvious. I’m going back to the apartment. I take a turn. This is definitely where I came from. I trudge down this path, unbothered that I’m late. I can only think of finding C15 so I can breathe again. I don’t know where I am. I took a wrong turn agin. Tears spring to my eyes. Oh no! I am not going to cry. Find the police. Find your way. Move! I took around for which direction to go, and a C11 sign slaps me in the face. Oh my God! I’m here. There you are. I’ve been searching for you. C15. I might have cried. I don’t remember. My legs move. Was there ever a cramp? The pain is long gone. I’m hoping this is it. I see the red on the wall. I know it is. I’m here. Home. Earth. Welcome back.