[Love at First Sight?]

I can't believe how disorganized Camus is! Where could he have put the file?

Miklotov had spent probably an hour sifting through the miscellaneous files stored in Camus's desk drawer. He has everything from tactics sheets to sword maintenance in the same folder! Though Miklotov may have sorted the files he came across, he hadn't found any kind of class list.

Setting the useless folder aside, he picked up a worn looking blue notebook. Seeing no writing to identify the contents inside, Miklotov took a peak inside. The words "Journal" surprised him.

Camus had a journal? Unconsciously Miklotov began to scan the first few lines. He gasped when he found what the entry was about. Without a thought, he absorbed the rest of the entry.

I think that it is about time that I wrote in here. Exactly a year ago, my best friend Miklotov gave this notebook to me as my birthday present. Though now since I've turned seventeen, I feel the need to write something down. It is something that I have wondered about for a few years now.

Maybe no one even suspects this, but I am one of the biggest dreamers in the world. I dream about a world that is peaceful, a life full of everlasting happiness, and love. This last thing is the subject of this entry. I may be one of the most unrealistic people in the world, but I believe in love at first sight. Why?

Well if I fell in love some other way, like through a close friendship or companionship, then the only candidate would be Miklotov, and that just isn't possible. I'm attracted to females, and he definitely isn't one. Dating only has supported this stand even more. It is sad to admit that I have dated six girls in only a few years, and no relationship lasted more than a few months.

Maybe someone would say that I'm just too pessimistic in a sense, thinking dating doesn't work. Well the truth is that I really tried. A few of the girls I disliked right after the first date, but I stayed in the relationship, hoping that it would improve. This last one I even fooled Miklotov into thinking that we were doing well. If I am pessimistic, well then I have reasons.

Sorry to leave so soon, but the dinner bell is ringing and Miklotov will wonder where I am. I promise to write more later.

Miklotov found himself surprised multiple times through the entry. Maybe I better reevaluate all of his actions…I might be missing the meaning of everything. Closing the notebook, he noticed a slip of paper that had fallen out, probably from between the pages.

It was the class list. Miklotov sighed. Well, it's time to find Drik.

*****

Miklotov woke up the next morning to find Camus snoring lightly next to him. Actually Camus had somehow wound up next to him, and was hugging him around the waist. Miklotov was a bit surprised at the warmth he felt from the embrace. It's just because I want to be loved… He remembered the jealously he felt when Camus wrote about already dating 6 girls. Of course no one likes me…

Moving extra carefully so as to not disturb Camus, he managed to walk to his dresser without a creak. After pulling out some training clothes, he stepped on a file and slipped.

Shoot, did I wake Camus up? He then realized that he never put back the files he took out yesterday. Quickly he stuffed them back into the drawer, only to find Camus awake and looking at him.

"Are you alright, Miklotov? It sounded like you fell down hard," he asked groggily.

"Oh, I'm alright," Miklotov replied, smiling a bit. "I just tripped on some papers." He closed the desk drawer with his right hand. "I was putting them away, if you're wondering what the paper sound was."

Camus seemed to nod, or so Miklotov imagined, but then he asked a few questions. "I was wondering what my papers were doing on the floor. Were you looking through them? Did you organize them? And why does my journal have bread crumbs?" he asked.

Miklotov cleared his throat before responding. "I uh, was looking for a class list so I could give Drik some bread from his sister," he began.

"So you were the one looking through my papers?" Camus asked.

"Yes," Miklotov answered. "You're really disorganized, you know."

"So then you organized them. I guess you also know why there are bread crumbs in my journal, am I correct?" Camus added.

"Well, I…looked in your journal. By mistake. I couldn't tell what it was, so I read the first few lines and I…I ended up reading the whole entry. I'm really sorry," Miklotov confessed.

Camus thought for a moment, probably trying to recall the subject of the entry, before smiling. The smile was genuine, to Miklotov's surprise, and then Camus asked, "What did you think about it?"

"Well I actually never guessed at that romantic notion of yours," Miklotov admitted. "To think that I've known you for like 10 years and still had no clue. Though it made a lot of sense, everything that you wrote."

"You didn't think my belief in 'love at first sight' was a bit unrealistic?" Camus wondered.

"I…" Miklotov responded, "I wouldn't know. I…never really thought about it."

Camus laughed. "You're lying," he said. "I know you have entertained the thought of a special person for a while."

"So? No one likes me. It wouldn't matter," Miklotov replied.

"No one likes you?" Camus exclaimed. "Mik, you're one of the best guys around. I bet a lot of girls would like you once they got to know you."

"Well they don't think like you," Miklotov argued. "I mean, I've tried so many times, but I don't want to be rejected any more."

Camus paused for a second before responding. "You know what? I'll find you someone. Count Friday night a night out," he replied.

"Okay," Miklotov said, humoring him. "Then I can find out why you go out on so many dates," he added.

"I don't go on as many as you think," Camus replied. "I mean, it's only a few days a week…oh, by the way, I have another date tonight."

"See what I mean?" Miklotov said, laughing. Standing up, he stretched out his legs. "Well I better get to training. You can go back to sleep."

Miklotov left, but not before seeing Camus crawl into the wrong bed again. He's definitely out of it. Maybe I should put a sign on my bed in bold letters denoting my property… He shut the door and headed towards the dojo.

Oh well, I'll do that later. He had already lost a half hour of precious training time anyway.

To be continued…