Once a year, when the air warmed and the flowers bloomed, spring break arrived like a much-needed oasis in the desert of school days. Regulus glanced around the bedroom as he unpacks his things. Outside, a bird swooped down to touch the nearby lake. A brisk gust of wind shook the newly grown leaves on a tree leaning on his window. His family was staying for the week in their lake house, seemingly wanting to enjoy the sunny weather while the children got time off from school. As absent as his parents were, they insisted on keeping up appearances to appear like a normal family. They were terrible simoniacs, building their wealth from riches from the church. Regulus was always at odds with them as a nihilist.
Regulus rolled his eyes at the thought. As if that would make a difference.
Despite the circumstances, Regulus appreciated the time to himself and his family left him alone for the most part. As an aspiring writer, he needed time to devote to his writing. Dedicated to spending time on his epic, he explored the town. Soon enough he found a quiet coffee shop near the lake and headed inside.
“What can I get you?” Asked the barista gaily. His name tag read “James”.
Regulus stared wearily at James. “Coffee. Black.”
“O…kay.” Responded James, not accustomed to such a tone from customers. “You know, most people say ‘please’”.
Regulus stared at James in silence.
“Here is your coffee.” acquiesced James, desperate for Regulus to leave.
Regulus took the cup, ignoring the sparks they feel when their hands come in contact. He detected a faint smell of kerosene and looked around the coffee shop. Convinced he was making the scent up, he squeezed his eyes shut. Opening his eyes, he walked outside and lounged beside the lake. He scratched in his notebook and glanced at the beckoning water. He ignored the ripples the wind painted in the water and stared at his paper.
Regulus walks to the edge of the lake and looks out. He swims to the middle of the lake. The nearby bell tower strikes twelve times and faint thunder rumbling is heard.
Regulus inhales, exhales and opens his eyes…
Once a year, when the air warmed and the flowers bloomed, spring break arrived like a much-needed oasis in the desert of school days. Regulus glanced around the bedroom as he unpacks his things. Outside, a bird swooped down to touch the nearby lake. A brief gust of wind shook the newly grown leaves on a tree leaning on his window. He looks around once more, feeling a sense of deja vu. This seemed to augur badly.
He stopped by a coffee shop next to the nearby lake.
“What can I get you?” Asked the barista. His name tag said “James”.
Regulus looked at James before realizing he was staring. “Um… coffee. Black.”
“Okay.” James responded. “That’ll be right out.”
Regulus started to walk away before turning back. “Have we met before?”
James’ eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “No?”
Regulus grabbed his coffee cup, “Right. Sorry.”
On his way to the lake, Regulus pondered over the strange interaction. I feel like I’ve talked to him before. This is weird. Convinced he was being delusional, he continued walking on the path.
Taking the longer route, Regulus arrived at the lake after midday. He spotted a skiff by the edge of the water. Someone is here. He set his bag on the ground and swam to the middle of the lake.
The nearby bell tower strikes twelve times and faint thunder rumbling is heard.
Regulus inhales, exhales and opens his eyes…
Once a year, when the air warmed and the flowers bloomed, spring break arrived like a much-needed oasis in the desert of school days. Outside, a bird swooped down to touch the nearby lake. A brief gust of wind shook the newly grown leaves on a tree leaning on his window. Regulus glanced around the room, now unable to ignore the deep sense of despair in his stomach. Something is wrong.
His walk to the coffee shop was slow. Everything was the same as it was 2 days ago.
He walked inside and headed to the front.
“What can I get you?” Asked the barista, James.
Regulus is confused. “Have we met before?”
“No?”
“I feel like we have. Like we’ve had this exact conversation.”
James ignored the comment, “What can I get you?”
“I’m serious.” Said Regulus, a little more forcefully. “I know you.”
“What would you like?” Asked James.
Regulus takes a deep breath, “Black coffee.”
James offers the cup to Regulus, who takes it and throws it on his apron.
“Oh my god!”
Regulus runs out the door and to the lake once more. He desperately swims to the middle of the lake. What is happening?
The nearby bell tower strikes twelve times and faint thunder rumbling is heard.
Regulus inhales, exhales and opens his eyes…
Once a year, when the air warmed and the flowers bloomed, spring break arrives like a much-needed oasis in the desert of school days. Something is wrong. Outside, a bird swoops down to touch the nearby lake. Something is definitely wrong. A brief gust of wind shakes the newly grown leaves on a tree leaning on his window. Regulus pants heavily, as if waking up from a long dream. He finds it hard to breathe and looks in the mirror. He finds possible atrophy on his shoulder.
Regulus runs back to the coffee shop, desperate to find answers.
“What can I get—“ James starts.
“What did you do to me?” Regulus frantically asks.
“Huh? What do you mean? I just serve coffee.”
“Ever since I came in here 3 days ago, I’ve been repeating the same day!”
“… Are you okay?” James looked at Regulus like he was crazy.
“Don’t look at me like that! I’m being serious! I’m stuck in a time loop and it’s your fault!”
“I don’t know what’s going on with you but I swear I didn’t do anything!”
Regulus realized the barista could not help him. He runs to the lake and gets near the edge of the water.
“What’s happening to me?!”
The nearby bell tower strikes twelve times and faint thunder rumbling is heard.
Regulus inhales, exhales and opens his eyes…
A bird swoops down to touch the nearby lake. A brief gust of wind shakes the newly grown leaves on a tree leaning on his window. Regulus runs to the coffee shop once more.
He walks inside calmly and approaches James.
“Hi.”
“Hi. What can I get you?” Responds James.
“Can I get a black coffee, please?”
“Sure, coming right up.”
Regulus sat at the coffee shop and finished his coffee. He saw the sunset and walked back home. He went to bed and was awoken by rain patter against the window, gently shaking the tree. He looked outside the window…
It was the next day.