Almost There

Camila's POV:

Presenting Aphrodisiac.

A meal, beverage, or substance that arouses intense sexual desire.

Does eating, or simply the act of eating, have the power to make someone feel romantic?

Yes, but not in the sense that one might expect.

Food can evoke a burning passion by suggesting sex to the mind; however, it has not been shown to stimulate the sex organs. The body and brain have a strong bond. Frequently, our thoughts deceive us by turning on a switch that shouldn't be there.

He flicked on a switch I had no idea existed.

Whispers of the devil.

Mischievous ice blues.

Soft touches.

Enticing aroma.

Well-chosen words.

He made me want more and left my mouth watering.

I exhale in relief as I pull my faded red Honda into the parking lot. Finally, after fifteen minutes of hardships, a few sympathetic glances, and strangers shaking their heads. My car was able to be parallel parked. I can't remember how long I spent forwarding, reversing, and forwarding, and guess what? In reverse.

In the past, I made every effort to stay away from downtown because of the scarcity of parking spaces and the exorbitant parking fees. Today, though, I needed a change of pace.

I picked up my expensive hot cup of coffee and headed for the river. How wealthy people can live with themselves knowing that they are charging five dollars for a little cup of coffee is simply beyond me. However, I can't hold it against them; I am too lazy to prepare it at home, so I decided to go to their franchise and use my debit card to meet my needs. On the back of my shelf are two coffee makers that are gathering dust.

I took out my earbuds and sat down on the damp park bench, letting the sound of music soothe me. I let out a long breath and looked around. Nothing was altered. Over there, the elderly man is still alive. Young high school boys are still being observed by the cougar lady there. Here, kids continue to play unattended by their parents.

Once more, here I am. About a month ago, I had a nervous breakdown about my college graduation and came to this park. I still don't know what to do with my life after five long, cruel, and costly years.

I sometimes think college is a fraud. I can relate to anyone who has gone through or is going through the intense life of a college student.

After a semester, students rush to arrange the perfect class schedule or just enroll in the simplest professor they can find, hoping that a D will suddenly turn into a B, planning trips they can't afford but want to take, and patching up several distant relationships.

There is no assurance of employment, even as graduation draws near. After escaping one inferno, we enter maturity, a different kind of hell. Endless applications to different jobs, many of which aren't even related to the degree's topic of study. Not to be forgotten are the amusing calls from loan sharks asking for money without realizing that other bills must be paid. They use the word "prioritize" to indicate which bill is more crucial.

We can all be summed up in one word: stress.

I don't know if it's the chilly, rainy weather or the bright sun piercing my eyes, but every second that went by brought out more and more of my bitter personality. I realized that adulthood fucking sucks and the high school system is one big ole scam.