Nothing, Something, and A Thing

 “So what exactly are you saying?” Sofia asked me while we sat seated next to each other on the train. “What I am saying Sofia, is that I want to be a thing.” “A thing? Like love wise? Oh! You want to be like me and Nicholas!” Sofia was thinking about love of course, because I am bit of a heartthrob and romantic person, but not this time. This time, this exact time in particular, this very specific absolutely particular in time, time, I think I am certain of what I would like this time.

“Listen Sofia, do you know what a Something is?” “Something? You mean like an object?” “Sure, Something can be like an object, like a person asking that they would like something. Or it can even be intangible, like it’s just… something…” “Tico, you’re strange. But you’re still a cool person!” I look at Sofia’s face. She seems pretty innocent and happy, and I believed I was too. I don’t think I am however. I just wish that the words that I choose can get to her!

It’s a pretty hard task trying to word this correctly and get her to understand what it means in it’s entirety to be a Something, or heck, even a Thing. I do believe that it isn’t working. Surely other people out there have felt the same exact way in how I feel about this whole dilemma, right? “Sofia, you really think that I am cool?” “Absolutely, out of everyone I have met, you seem one of the coolest! Well… except for Nicholas!” Then she let out a soft chuckle.

“Well Sofia, I don’t think I am all that cool. Don’t other’s think that?” “Aww, why don’t you believe that you are cool?” “Well Sofia, it’s going to be hard to explain to you exactly how I feel about what I am feeling, but I shall try my best!” “Alright, I’m listening!”

“Ok, so Sofia, in this world right, there are two types of people that exist. There are the people that are called The Something, and the other people that are called the The Nothing. The people that are called The Nothing have it hard because to the entirety of the world, they are simply that, Nothing. They have no contributions ‘nor, well, anything to them. Their existence would have been better available and suited for someone else other then themselves, they would have been better off not participating in this game of The Thing. In this game of The Thing, the winners are those that eventually rise up and become a part of The Something. Are you getting it Sofia?”

“I think I am. Anyways, The Thing, the game we are playing, is that life?” “Yep” “And there are two groups of participants in the game, The Nothing, and The Somethings right?” “Yes” “So when someone is born into the world they automatically become a Nothing?” “Yes. Well, sometimes they don’t. There are those that have been able to become The Something at rather young ages. They have been able to do it either by luck or skill, but let’s say skill because it be best to congratulate them on their efforts and accolades! Like think about it Sofia, you and me, be both now English pretty well. Think about the people out there younger than us that not only know English better than both of us combined, but also know other languages just as good as their proficiency in English. Like, I know a pretty hefty amount of Spanish, but it’s not up to the standard of my English abilities. Someone out there may not only know both of them pretty well, but may also know, heck, even a multitude of other languages alongside both English and Spanish. Do you understand Sofia?”

“I think I do… so essentially you mean other’s out there have more talents and abilities than we do?” “Yes” “And because of that, they are able to become Something and viewed in higher regards to society?” “Yes, well, sometimes… Usually society doesn’t view those better and smarter than them in high regards. Anyways, back to what I started saying, I’m not so much worried about being a Nothing Sofia, I’m worried about dying and being forgotten. I heard somewhere from a wise dragoon that to be forgotten is a fate worse than death, and I agree. Think about it Sofia, after we die, we only really get remembered and appreciated for around a brief moment afterwards. After around a day or 2, our loved one’s are back to normal, and we are essentially forgotten. Erased permanently, gone from everyone’s memories and if we had unfinished things to do, or heck, even ambitions, they will forever remain unfinished.”

“Ah, I think I understand how you feel Tico.” “Y-yea… I think I understand myself too. I mean, I know Sofia you think of me as a Something, and not a Nothing, mainly because we are buddies, but I believe that I am not a Something, ‘nor just a Thing. I am a Nothing! A Nothing is the worst thing you can be in the world because no-one care’s about The Nothings in the world!” I start to tear up a bit. “Like Sofia, I have a passion for writing, don’t you think so too?” “Oh absolutely, you’re one of the greatest writers I know! Also why are you crying?” “It’s nothing. Sofia, I know I have a passion for writing, and am essentially good at it, but for the time being I am a Nothing, and I believe it will stay that way in my pursuit and endeavour of being a noteworthy writer creating tales and stories for the entire world. You know why Sofia?” “Why?”

“Because I believe that writing is essentially hard to comprehend, especially in this day in age. Sofia I believe that there are more artists in this day in age than ever weaving up beautiful creations for many people. I think writing is becoming pretty overtaken in regards to Art. I believe it is simply because majority of people now a days don’t, and won’t read because they simply don’t have the patience ‘nor enough of a want to read it. Now take art for example Sofia. Writing is a piece of art, and creating pictures is apart of art. To a world full of people of different levels of interpretation and understanding, art is easier to get the image across to many, than a story. A young person can likely understand and appreciate a picture of scenery or something as much as an older person, and a person of different speaking levels/ and abilities. A story however, depends entirely on the readers ability to know what the words mean, and their context. Sofia do you believe that a person of young age will be able to understand and appreciate a story such as War and Peace?”

“No, well Tico, that’s why there are books made for different reading levels. So that other’s will be able to appreciate them properly! “I understand that Sofia, but also what about art? Most of us have eyes Sofia, and those with eyes can see the same picture as those with eyes. I think what I am saying Sofia, is that I want to not be a Nothing no more, and become a Something. I want to be a Something that is able to weave tales up for many, and have them enjoy it in the process, and also enjoy myself!” I then proceeded to cry a bit more and I think Sofia noticed. “Aww, there there Tico, I believe you’ll be a grand and fantastic writer! Here, come into my arms. Sofia then held her arms out, and I proceeded to rest my head in between them because it felt cozy and relaxing there.

Still, does she think I am able to do it? Imagine I attempt and do it, and it never happens! I would have let Sofia down, and I don’t like letting those that I love down. That would be… almost as bad hurting them physically. Like pouring boiling water on them. Oh well, I guess I’ll try and become a Something instead of a Nothing, as if I had a choice. I have fans watching me and anticipating that I become a Something, and essentially beat the game. I have quite a long road ahead of me to walk, but, who am I to let down my fans? I’ll put on a show for them!