GEMINI.
The week had been a blur of caffeine and late night studies, a relentless march through the dense forests of academia. My brain kinda feels like a sponge, swollen with facts from tests on everything from Modern-day designs to medieval architecture. Each day was a rinse-and-repeat cycle: wake up, study, test, grab lunch with Ohio or Percy, and then fall into my bed, only to start all over again. The campus chaos, which once felt like a vibrant backdrop on my first week here, had become a suffocating storm. But tonight, a different kind of chaos awaited us—one with a stage and a spotlight.
Last week, a group of Theater Arts students had invited Ohio and me to watch their latest production, and honestly, I didn't think I would make it because of the week I'm having, but the thought of doing something else tonight felt a balm to my weary soul. It was a chance to trade my textbooks for free tickets, to swap the sterile fluorescent lights of the library for the dramatic glow of the stage.
My last test of the day was finally over, and I'd managed to squeeze in a quick lunch with Percy. He seemed to sense my exhaustion, his usual quiet presence giving way to a more gentle demeanor. He just sat there, listening as I rambled about my week, a silent anchor in my sea of stress.
After lunch, I went back to my dorm for a much-needed rest. My bed felt like a cloud, and I sank into it, closing my eyes for just an hour. It was the kind of nap that makes you feel reborn. When my alarm went off, I sprang up, a wave of energy washing over me. The thought of meeting with my best friend, and doing something normal and fun, was all the motivation I needed.
My phone buzzed with a text from Ohio a while later. "On my way to the theater! Don't be late, bunny! The show will be starting soon."
I grinned, grabbing my jacket. It felt good to be doing something different, to be stepping outside of my usual routine. I met her at the entrance of the auditorium, and her face lit up when she saw me.
"Hey!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "Ready to get a little dramatic tonight?"
"More than ready," I said, laughing. "I think my brain is going to thank me for this."
We found our seats in the dimly lit theater. The air hummed with a different kind of anticipation than I was used to. Not the nervous energy of feeling left out, but the shared excitement of an audience waiting for a beautiful story to unfold.
This is nice. Really nice. It's a completely different energy from the past few days. No project deadlines, no pressure, just…relaxing. I hope it's good, but even if it's not, it's just a relief to be here, with Ohio, not thinking about a single test or a single textbook. It's like hitting a reset button. I've missed this.
The lights dimmed, and the stage came alive with a burst of color and sound. The play was a vibrant, messy whirlwind of dance and drama, and I found myself completely captivated. I forgot about my grades, my to-do list, and the fact that I'd been running on four hours of sleep for most of the week. For two hours, I was lost in the world on stage.
During the intermission, Ohio leaned over, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, what do you think? Isn't this nice?"
"You were right," I admitted. "It's exactly what we needed."
I can't believe I almost said no to this. I was so wrapped up in my own little world of stress and tests that I nearly missed out on this. This is what college is supposed to be about, right? Not just the grind, but the moments in between. The moments that make the chaos worth it. I need to remember this feeling. The feeling of being completely present, even if just for a little while.
The second act was even better than the first, a rollercoaster of emotions that left the entire audience buzzing. When the curtain fell, a wave of applause and cheers erupted. Ohio and I stood and clapped, our hands sore from the enthusiasm.
We walked out into the cool night air, the campus now a quiet, tranquil place compared to the bustling daytime scene. The stars twinkled above us, a silent audience to our own small drama.
"That was amazing," Ohio said, sighing contentedly. "I'm so glad we went."
I nodded, a genuine smile on my face. "Me too. Thanks for dragging me along."
As we walked back toward our dorms, I felt a familiar buzz in my pocket. I pulled out my phone and saw a message from Percy: "Are you back yet? Are you okay?"
I smiled. It was a simple question, but it meant a lot. It was a reminder that even when I was buried in my own little world of stress, there was another person out there who cared. I quickly texted him back. "Just got out of the play. It was awesome. Heading back to my dorm now. Thanks for checking on me."
The past few days have been a blur. But today… today feels different. It feels like a turning point. It feels like I'm getting a hang of this college life. It's a weird mix of feelings, though. I'm exhausted, but I'm also energized. I'm relieved even though the tests are not over, but I'm also looking forward to whatever comes next without freaking out. I guess that's college life in a nutshell—a beautiful, messy, chaotic, and sometimes brilliant, contradiction.