GEMINI.
The campus was alive with its usual chaotic energy, a swirling tide of youthful ambition and restless energy. Students hurried past, their steps hurried and purposeful—some clutching steaming coffee cups, others buried in textbooks or distracted by glowing phone screens. Amidst this vibrant chaos, I felt a strange mix of relief and nerves.
My Modern Design test was finally behind me, but the weight of the textbook still pressed against my side, heavy as a badge of exhaustion or perhaps a silent reminder of the battle I'd just survived. Either way, I was glad it was over, eager to find Ohio and maybe steal a moment of peace before plunging back into the relentless grind of college life.
Then I saw her—sitting on a bench near the fountain, her silhouette illuminated by the shimmering water and the warm glow of the afternoon sun. Her signature bright smile lit up her face as she laughed at something on her phone, a magnetic presence that commanded attention even in the midst of the bustling campus. I approached her with cautious steps, trying to keep the grin from stretching too wide, feeling the faint flutter of anticipation and relief.
"Hey," I greeted softly, dropping onto the bench beside her. My voice wavered slightly—probably from the residual nerves of the test, but I masked it with a casual tone.
Ohio looked up, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Oh! Hey, bunny! How did it go? I saw you sprinting out of the auditorium like your pants were on fire."
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah, it was… intense. I answered all the questions, and I think I did okay, but I can't shake this feeling—like I just climbed a brick wall with a textbook strapped to my back. That thing felt like a concrete wall I was smashing against all morning."
She grinned mischievously. "That's college life for you—surviving the chaos one massive textbook at a time."
We shared a quick laugh, the tension easing away just like that. It's funny how Ohio's simple presence has this way of making the stress melt away—even if just for a moment. Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket, a sharp interruption to the fleeting calm. I pulled it out and saw a message from Percy: "Meet me at the office for lunch. Come whenever you're done with your test."
I blinked, surprised. It's very clear that Percy isn't exactly the type to be overly social, but his ongoing offers to share his space and time with me spoke volumes. I was curious—does he miss me when I'm not around? That thought sent a flutter of feelings rushing through my body. What am I even thinking? I'm tired, frustrated, and irritated because of lack of sleep. I don't have time for such thoughts. I should be heading to my dorm for a break, so why is a part of me eager to see his face? Or hear his voice in person. Ugh! It's like I'm going through puberty all over again.
"Hey, I gotta go," I said, tapping Ohio lightly on the shoulder. "Percy texted me to meet him in the office for lunch. I'm sorry. I know we were supposed to have lunch together."
Ohio shook her head with a warm smile. "It's alright, go ahead. I'll see you later, bunny." she winked, her voice was playful and I rolled my eyes because I knew exactly what she was thinking but couldn't hide the grin that tugged at my lips.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll see you later too. Thanks, Ohio." Waving goodbye, I headed toward the campus building that housed Percy's private office—an imposing structure that seemed to hum with quiet authority.
Upon arriving, I pushed open the door and stepped into the sleek, minimalist space. Percy sat behind his desk, as calm and composed as a predator surveying its domain. His piercing green eyes flicked up, a faint smile curling on his lips, as if he'd been waiting for me.
"Hey," I greeted, trying to steady my voice. "I came as soon as I saw your message."
Percy gestured to the chair across from him, his movements smooth, deliberate. "I thought you might need a break. How did your test go?"
I hesitated, then shrugged, feeling the fatigue pressing against my shoulders. "It was tough. I think I did okay, but honestly, I'm just glad it's over. I can't wait to get a real break after all this."
He leaned forward, his expression flickering with concern. "It's okay to feel like that after studying all night. You should take it easy—you're not invincible."
There was something about Percy's presence—his commanding aura, the way he looked at me with that sharp, assessing gaze—that made the world seem a little easier to bear. Like I didn't have to pretend to be confident all the time. Just being close to him, I could breathe a little deeper, feel a flicker of reassurance amidst the chaos.
I nodded, grateful, though a flicker of frustration still burned within me. "Thanks, Percy. You really didn't have to do this. Helping me study last night was enough."
He shrugged again, casually picking at the corner of a napkin. "It's not a big deal. Besides, I figured you could use something good to gear yourself up for the marathon of tests ahead. And I owe you one—for showing up out of nowhere last night. That must have been... weird for you."
The grin that spread across my face was involuntary, a mixture of amusement and happiness. "Yeah, well. It was plenty weird, but I guess that's what makes you fun to hang out with."
He chuckled softly, then gestured to the menu on his iPad.
"So, what are you in the mood for?"
My stomach growled at the mention of food, but I didn't want to stress him with my hunger. He's already done so much for me.
"Honestly, I could go for a burger and milkshake. Or maybe pizza. Anything but that textbook right now."
Percy nodded, his expression calm but with an undercurrent of something. "Alright then. I'll order for us. You just relax—you've earned it."
We sat in comfortable silence, the kind that only comes after a shared understanding. After a while, I found myself telling Percy about classes, campus life, goofy dorm stories. It was a moment of respite, a stolen breath from the chaos of the day.
I was still in the middle of telling him about a prank one of the boys pulled over the weekend when suddenly, the door swung open with a burst of energy. Penelope darted in, bright-eyed and beaming, her face alight with happiness. She practically skipped over, her unrestrained enthusiasm filling the room like a gust of fresh air.
"Gemini!" she squealed, rushing to give me a big hug. "I missed you, sweetie!"
Caught off guard but smiling nonetheless, I blinked. "Hey, Penelope! I missed you too. How are you?"
Her cheeks flushed with excitement as she plopped down on the couch. Her energy was contagious, her happiness infectious. I felt a warmth spreading through me—like a breath of fresh air after a long, draining day.
Percy leaned against the desk, watching us with that quiet smirk—an observer of our small world.
"Well," he said softly, "looks like you've got yourself a fan. You should be honored, Gemini. Penelope is usually the one with fans."
I looked between them, feeling a strange mixture of gratitude and amusement. I was truly honored—by Ohio's encouragement, Percy's unexpected kindness, Penelope's unfiltered joy. They were the anchors in the storm of my college life, and right now, I needed that more than ever.
"Thanks, guys." I said softly, a flicker of confidence igniting inside me.
Penelope walked over, ruffled my hair affectionately. "Always, sweetie. And hey, don't take Percy's words too seriously—I really like having you around."
As the food arrived, Percy left his desk and joined us on the couch. His commanding presence loomed just enough to remind me who was in charge here.
"I brought him here to eat, Pen," Percy said, voice steady and unwavering. "Let him do that."
Penelope rolled her eyes but smiled knowingly. "And I'm going to make sure he eats. Come on, sweetheart, let's eat. Don't mind Percy." Her sassy tone was playful but firm as she practically fed me.
In the midst of chaos, and daily pressure of college life, it feels good to know I'm not alone.