The apartment door creaked as I stepped out, dressed in a simple white t-shirt and jeans, a black bag slung over my shoulder. The chilly morning breeze greeted me, but before I could take another step, the door across from mine opened.
Out came Mr. Hurley, my elderly neighbor, with his slightly hunched back and a warm smile that always seemed ready. His thin-framed glasses perched precariously on his nose, and his gray cardigan hung loosely around his frail shoulders.
"Joel, going out for another audition?" he asked cheerfully as he pulled his door shut.
I offered a confident smile. "Yes, Mr. Hurley. This time, I'm definitely getting the role!"
The old man let out a hearty laugh, his voice echoing down the quiet hallway. "That's the spirit!" He walked over, his steps slow but steady, and gave my shoulder a firm pat. "You've changed a lot recently—more spirited and confident. That's how a young man should be. Don't go back to your old, moody ways again, alright?"
I nodded, maintaining my smile. "Yes, Mr. Hurley. I'll remember that."
What he didn't know was that he wasn't talking to the same Joel anymore. The original Joel—the one who had spiraled into despair after countless failed auditions—was gone. I'd taken over his body, his life, and, by extension, his neighbors' expectations.
"Old folks really do notice everything," I thought, suppressing a chuckle. "Sometimes, they're scarier than the FBI."
Mr. Hurley, though, was harmless. A kind old man who spent his days chatting with the neighbors, observing the comings and goings of the apartment's residents.
"Mr. Hurley," I said, snapping back to reality, "I need to get going."
The old man withdrew his hand, nodding sagely. "Alright, young man. Go chase your dreams. This old guy won't waste your time anymore."
I gave him one last smile and a small wave as I started down the hallway. Behind me, I could hear him murmuring to himself, "It's good to be young," before heading off to his usual spot with the neighbors to pass the time.
As I walked away, his words lingered in my mind. The original Joel might have lost hope, but I wasn't about to make the same mistake.
This was my second chance, and I wasn't going to waste it.