What A Dream Wants

Sunlight shined brightly on his face. He could hear the birds chirping away. Slowly, he opened his eyes to see some birds on his perch. They hopped about, looking curiously at Steven. He groggily sat up, dazed for a while.

'What time...' He murmured.

He grabbed his phone off the cabinet. Then flinched due to the brightness and turned it down.

The phone screen read '7:02 AM'.

He quickly brushed his teeth, splashed some water over his face, and got dressed. He grabbed his book bag and went out of his dorm.

Heading downstairs, he noticed the super was already there.

"Hi, Bob!" He waved.

"Hello... Steven, right?" Bob asked.

"Yeah."

"Well, breakfast is being held in the cafeteria on the main campus. It starts at 7:00, and you want ample time to eat."

"Thanks," Steven said, hurrying out, remembering that he had missed breakfast yesterday.

The morning air was cool and crisp. The slight fog made it feel as if the sun was yet to wake. The skies were filled with stratus clouds overhead, like a cotton blanket.

It made the world seem lonely.

But the birds were lively. Chirping happily.

The walk from the dorms to the main campus merely took a few minutes, but he was thankful for the warmth when he stepped inside. He walked to the cafeteria. It was half empty but filled with some familiar faces.

As opposed to lunch, the tables weren't called up one by one. He simply had to enter the cafeteria's dining area.

Instantly, hunger seeped through him.

The grains section was filled with towers of pancakes, English muffins, buns, sandwiches, and different assortments of Benedicts. Along with heavier foods such as rice, noodles, and pasta.

The protein section was filled with bacon, sausage, eggs, light poultry, some nuts, and some seeds.

The vegetable section was filled with different vegetable salads, loaded potatoes, kelp soup, tomato soup, fresh vegetables and more.

The fruit section was filled with different assortments of fruits, juices, smoothie blends, along with a fruit salad.

The dairy section was filled with different cheeses, milk, fermented milk, soy milk, yogurt, butter, and coffee.

After gathering a mountain of food, he swiped to pay the cost, which was definitely a bargain.

He returned with the most imposing, Mt. Tai.

'Free is a great deal after all!'

He sat down at a table and looked at his phone for the time.

'7:24 AM'

Then, he proceeded to stuff his face.

"Hello, can we sit here?" a girl asked.

"We don't have to ask... It's public property." The dark haired guy next to her said and proceeded to sit down.

"I was trying to be nice!" The girl scolded. "Sorry, that is my rude friend, Samjo. My name is Demi."

"My name is Steven," Steven told her.

"Hm... I think we're classmates." Demi said. "There are seven freshmen classes, which one are you in?"

Steven flinched.

"Freshmen Class 1." He said softly.

"What a coincidence. Samjo and I are in that class, too." Demi said happily. Then looking at Samjo, she said, "Samjo... you haven't said anything. At least show some common courtesy. No manners at all!"

Samjo swallowed down a bite of his bun.

"I'm eating. It's rude to talk when you're eating. Also, you haven't touched your food yet, your food will become cold." Samjo told her pointedly.

Demi ate her food quietly.

Samjo ate silently.

Steven went to get seconds.

He returned with another mountain.

He returned with the most famous, Mt. Everest, the tallest from land to the sky.

"Were you starved in your previous life?" Samjo couldn't help but ask.

"Samjo!" Demi started to berate him again about his manners.

'Can't I eat in peace...' Steven thought to himself quietly.

"Jeesh, you're like a grandma..." Samjo said, rubbing his neck.

"You're like a little kid." Demi rebuked.

Then, they started to argue, albeit a bit quietly, because it was morning and they didn't want to start a commotion.

They started a commotion.

Steven ate his food while watching the commotion. The extra spice made the food really flavorful.

'Lover's spat?'

If only they knew what he was thinking. Perhaps they might have turned their attention to him, instead.

Steven went to get thirds.

This time, he returned with the tallest, Mt., Mauna Kea. The tallest from the ocean's depths to the heavens.