NOVEL NEXT Chapter 90: Strange Looks From People On Campus
That night, Alaric's home felt unusually peaceful. He sat comfortably in the backyard. Where the green grass stretched wide like leaves scattered across the ground, resembling a natural carpet laid down gently by nature itself.
The young man lay down there, with only a thin cloth spread beneath him. He relaxed, gazing up at the night sky glittering with stars.
His hands were folded behind his head, forming a makeshift pillow to support his neck. Every now and then, he took a deep breath, letting the crisp night air fill his lungs. Then, he exhaled slowly, as if releasing the weight of his thoughts along with it.
Above him, the stars twinkled like millions of tiny eyes watching the silence of the earth. Alaric remained quiet, his gaze fixed on one point of light, before drifting to another, as though tracing constellations that only he could understand.
Amidst the shimmer, a streak of light zipped across the sky. A shooting star. A thin white line swept across the heavens from right to left, passing right through his line of sight. It was a fleeting moment, yet it was enough to bring a faint smile to his face.
"Beautiful," he whispered softly, his voice almost lost in the gentle breeze. "I hope my life can be as beautiful as those stars."
He said it like a child saying a prayer, not concerned with whether or not it would come true. Just a wish born from the heart.
Alaric continued to gaze at the sky for a while longer, but his eyelids began to grow heavy. Sleep slowly crept in, inviting his body to surrender to the weariness that had built up since morning. He shifted slightly, searching for a more comfortable position on the grass. Then, he closed his eyes.
Everything was so peaceful. No blaring horns, no noisy conversations. Just the soft rustle of wind, the sound of night insects chirping in the distance, and the quiet whispers of nature accompanying his sleep.
That night, Alaric might not sleep in his room. He chose instead to let himself be cradled by the open sky, sleeping under the watchful gaze of the stars. A simple decision, but one that brought a kind of serenity no soft mattress or solid roof could ever replace.
And as his eyes finally closed, it was as if the stars above smiled, keeping watch over his dreams. Perhaps the shooting star that had just passed carried his wish into the sky, delivering it to a place unknown.
—
The next morning, sunlight signaled the start of a new day for Alaric. Dew still clung to the windows. The young man slowly blinked awake, his eyes feeling a little heavy after sleeping outside all night.
It wasn't until just before dawn that he finally moved back into his room. But that outdoor sleep had been more refreshing than he expected. Sleeping under the stars had truly cleared his mind.
He sat up, stretched for a moment, and then went straight into his morning routine. The bathroom was his first stop; cold water splashed across his face and body, washing away the lingering drowsiness.
Afterwards, he dressed neatly in his usual engineering student outfit. His hair was brushed casually, and his campus bag had already been packed the night before, so there wasn't much else he needed to do.
Alaric never liked taking too long to get ready in the morning. Just five minutes after showering, getting dressed, and grabbing his bag. Everything was done.
This time, though, he ignored the car keys hanging by the door and didn't even glance at the transit card tucked in his wallet. He had something else in mind today.
His eyes went straight to the garage, landing on a bicycle that had only been parked there since yesterday. A gift from his father. It had a sleek metallic black frame, looking like a modern folding bike but equipped with high-tech features.
A small screen on the handlebars displayed GPS maps, speed, and even his heart rate. The wheels had lightweight suspension, making it feel smooth even on bumpy roads.
The headlight turned on automatically when its light sensor detected darkness. And perhaps the coolest feature: a pedal-assist mode powered by battery, allowing him to ride farther without exhausting himself.
Alaric stood in front of the bike, his hand gently running across the handlebar as a small smile formed on his face. His mind drifted back to high school, when he often rode a bike to school because it was close to home.
The difference was, back then, his bike was a basic one with no fancy technology. Now, even though his commute to campus was much longer, he still wanted to recapture that feeling—experiencing the road in the early morning.
Before setting off, he stepped out to the front of the house. Coincidentally, his father was also getting ready for work. The man stood beside his black car, a work bag in his left hand as he adjusted the jacket draped over his shoulders.
"How are you getting to campus?" his father asked as soon as he saw Alaric walk out, his gaze naturally drifting to the bicycle standing tall in the garage. There was a curious tone in his voice, and a faint smile tugged at his lips.
Alaric glanced at the bike too, then turned back to his father. "Just taking the bike, Dad," he replied with a small smile.
His father raised an eyebrow slightly, then chuckled softly. "Don't want to come with me instead? The timing's perfect. You could just hop in the car, save yourself the effort."
Alaric shook his head quickly. "No, it's okay. The roads will probably be jammed if we take the car. I'd rather ride the bike. It's more fun. Kind of nostalgic, too."
The answer made his father pause for a moment, his eyes settling on his son with a meaningful look. There was a quiet pride there that was hard to hide. He knew well how far his son had come. The once awkward boy, often underestimated, now stood tall on his own.
Even helping out with the family business from time to time when his father was overwhelmed. The transformation was clear, and the bicycle was just a small token of appreciation he could offer.
"Alright then. Be careful out there, Ric."
Alaric nodded. "I will, Dad. I'm heading out now."
Without waiting any longer, he wheeled the bike out through the front gate. Then he climbed onto it. Adjusting his seat and gripping the handlebars, he started pedaling. The wheels turned with a smooth, whisper-like sound.
As he rode forward, he glanced back once to see his father still standing by the car, smiling proudly at him. Alaric returned the smile and raised his right hand in a brief farewell wave. Then, he turned his focus to the road ahead, letting the morning breeze kiss his face.
He pedaled out of the neighborhood. The city roads weren't too crowded. Far different from the usual chaos he'd face when driving or riding the packed bus.
The dedicated bike lane stretched neatly along the right side of the road, making the ride feel safe and comfortable.
Now and then, he took a deep breath, catching the scent of leaves from the trees planted neatly along the sidewalks. The city felt different when seen from the saddle of a bike.
No car windows to block the view, no blaring horns to pierce his ears.
Unconsciously, Alaric began to hum a tune. Just a simple melody made up on the spot, following the rhythm of his pedaling. The sound of his own voice made him feel lighter, like his whole body was dancing with the rhythm of the morning.
When he reached a large intersection, the traffic light turned red. Alaric steered his bike to the front of the cycling lane, stopping right on the white line. Fancy cars waited on either side of him, their engines humming softly.
He glanced around, noticing a few motorcyclists giving him curious looks. Perhaps surprised to see a student, who usually arrived in a car, choosing to ride a bike instead. But Alaric didn't care much. To him, this was the best way to enjoy the simple life he'd been missing.
Not far from where he was stopped, an elderly couple was making their way slowly across the crosswalk. The old man held a cane, while the woman gently clung to his arm. They walked carefully, trying to cross before the light turned green again.
Alaric instinctively nodded politely and said, "Excuse me, sir, ma'am." His warm smile prompted the old woman to smile back, while the man raised a hand in return.
When the light turned green, Alaric continued pedaling, enjoying a journey that felt more and more joyful by the minute. A long, tree-lined street guided him closer to the campus.
It felt oddly nostalgic. Like returning to those high school days when biking was a small but essential part of his daily routine.
A few minutes later, the campus gates came into view. The tall white building stood proudly ahead. Students bustled about the front area, most arriving by car or motorbike, and a few walking from the bus stop. Alaric slowed down and stopped at the bike parking area beside the gate.
He dismounted and began to walk his bike slowly. But just as he was about to park, his eyes caught something odd. A group of female students stood nearby... perhaps waiting for friends or simply chatting.
They were looking at him. But their gaze wasn't just curious. There was something sharp, even mocking, in their expressions. A subtle sneer, followed by hushed whispers among them.