[ WP ] The main character meets their future self ... and hates them

I take my change from the cashier and drop a dollar in the tip jar. She thanks me, and looks behind me to serve the next person. 
 
 I turn and stir cream into my coffee, stepping out onto the sidewalk to stand in the sunlight. The air is crisp; it's a beautiful day for June. 
 
 I look to my right and take a sip of coffee. People-watching has always been a hobby, and today is no exception. Bike couriers zip past me, weaving into and out of traffic. A woman and her dog walk by quickly. Two men in suits discuss mergers and acquisitions as they walk past. 
 
 Suddenly, a face I instantly recognize. My heart stops. *This is impossible*, I think to myself. *It ca n't be. * 
 
 But it *is*. I stare, slack-jawed, as I watch *myself* walk down the sidewalk toward me. He meets my gaze and stops. We simply stare at each other for a few moments. 
 
 Finally, I walk over to him. `` How is this happening,'' I say to him. He shakes his head. He's wearing a familiar outfit; baggy pants and Chuck Taylor's, a Nirvana tee, and a ball cap of a baseball team I know we hate. 
 
 Suddenly it hits me. *I can right so many wrongs, * I think to myself. I can have a better life, instantly. I just have to tell me what to do. 
 
 I launch into a rant, telling myself I need to stop skipping class, and that I should be eating better. I give myself all sorts of pointers on people I'll meet, which events I should have attended or should not have. He stares back at me, wide-eyed. He looks overwhelmed. 
 
 After a few moments, he frowns and interrupts me. 
 
 `` Hey!'' he says. `` Why are you telling me this?! Why are you ruining things for me!'' 
 
 I stare at him, shocked. 
 
 `` I just wanted-'' I start. He interrupts again. 
 
 `` Stop!'' He shoves me and takes off running down the street. All I wanted to do was help myself. I take a step in his direction, and think better of it. I hope what I said stuck. 
 *** 
 Back at work, I sit back in my chair and stretch. The sun is filtering through the window. I'm not sure if he -- I -- will take my advice, but I hope I do. I drum my fingers on the table. Suddenly, my boss appears behind me. 
 
 `` James,'' he says. `` You got a second?'' 
 
 I nod. He sits on the edge of my desk, speaking quietly. 
 
 `` Listen, we're doing some in-house cleaning, and are reviewing employee files. Your work is good but we found a problem.'' 
 
 My breath catches. I raise my eyebrows. 
 
 `` What is it?'' I ask. 
 
 He looks around and back to me. `` James, you never graduated college.'' 
 
 The full weight of the sentence hits me like a ton of bricks. Of course I graduated college, of course I did. 
 
 `` What do you mean? Of course I did.'' I stammer. He shakes his head. 
 
 `` We ran an audit, the University is n't listing you as a degree recipient. In fact, we requested a review of your transcripts and you withdrew in your first year.'' 
 
 I shake my head. This ca n't be. 
 
 `` There must be a mistake,'' I say. He nods. 
 
 `` Look, take the week to figure it out. Get back to me by Friday. Honestly, James, the truth is if we ca n't get this figured out...'' his voice trails off. 
 
 I nod. `` Let me make some calls.'' 
 
 He nods and leaves. I grab my coat and run out the door and down the stairs. Coming on to the street, I start jogging toward the River. 
 
 My apartment is only 5 blocks from work, along the river path. I take the bridge and cut across the alley. I come up to the building, and the doorman nods at me. 
 
 `` Good day, sir'' he says and opens the door. I bolt in and through the lobby. I run to the elevator and hit the button. 
 
 `` Excuse me!'' a voice behind me says. I turn. The desk clerk is coming toward me. `` Can I help you?'' he says. 
 
 I shake my head. He continues moving toward me. 
 
 `` The elevator is for residents only,'' he says. My jaw drops. This guy knows me. 
 
 `` Jason, I *am* a resident.'' I say. `` 57 B.'' 
 
 He shakes his head and points to the door. `` I'm sorry sir, I know that resident. You must leave now.'' 
 
 This is starting to terrify me. I have no idea what's happening. I leave and walk out onto the street. Across from me is a path leading to the river. I need to clear my head. 
 
 I walk across the street and along the bank. I stop and lean on the railing, looking at the water. A slow realization comes to me; the younger version of myself did something horrible. I do n't know why, or how. 
 
 `` Hey man! There you are!'' I turn and look behind me. Four homeless men stand partially under the bridge. It appears they know me. 
 
 `` James!'' they say, waving me over. I walk over hesitantly. `` Where'd you get the nice clothes?'' 
 
 I sigh. What happened? 
 
 One of them looks at me. `` Where did you go today man?'' 
 
 I turn and look at the river. 
 
 `` I wish I knew.''
