September, 2012
Epithelial Tissue
“Number 9 on my bucket list.” I sighed contently. “Ride a bullet train in Tokyo with my Homies.”
Himchan, Jongup and Yongguk grinned at each other while I tucked my little list back in my jeans pocket.
“It’s good we’re here at this time.” Himchan smiled at the practicality. “There’s hardly anyone here, so we won’t get crushed to death.” I nodded my head in agreement. I’d been smart, and that felt good, I embraced it.
Jongup did his manic little laugh before sticking up a single index finger pointing to his chin. “I’m not gonna ride a bullet train ladies and gents. The bullet train’s gonna ride me.”
Himchan ewed. “Dude, that sounds so wrong.”
Yongguk shook his head. “Absolutely crazy. You’re a hazard. You.” He pointed at Jongup. “Such a crazy little thing shouldn’t have that many muscles.”
I laughed, happiness filing my lungs. “Next train comes in one minute guys!” I jumped up and down on the platform, failing to act cool. “I’m gonna ride a bullet train in one minute!”
Himchan smiled warily, fiddling with his Harajuku neon hair extensions. “Think about all the people who wanna be us right now, and feel grateful we’re here."
“Sounds like a plan.” I hopped from foot to foot, imagining what it would be like if I wasn’t me.
I thought carefully about whether I was actually Junhong, or someone else from a previous life who had been reincarnated into 'my' body. Who was Junhong actually? What was in store for him? I also tried to imagin where people went when they died. How their particles got recycled to make other things. How people are made up of the matter of stars, and I wondered if that was a funny coincedence or not. I wondered where everyone came from, and why God didn’t give us all equal chances. Why did we only get one shot to do things most of the time? One shot to do the things that are the most important to us.
The metallic rattle and warning swishes of air made my heart surge.
“Bullet train coming in 5.”
“4”
“3”
“2”
“1!”
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