GEMINI.
Today is the last day of tests. It feels like a victory lap. The weight of midterm week was officially gone, replaced by the blissful lightness that only comes after the final exam has been submitted. The entire campus seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief. Today, there were no textbooks, no study guides, just the promise of an easy day with my favorite person. Ohio was heading home for the weekend, so we decided to make the most of our final hours together before she left.
We met for breakfast at a small cafe just off campus. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile smell of the library I'd been living in for days. We sat in a cozy booth by the window, basking in the morning sun.
"I can't believe it's over," I said, stirring my coffee. "I feel like a completely different person. A person who isn't a zombie fueled by caffeine and sheer panic."
Ohio laughed, her bright smile a welcome sight. "Right? I'm pretty sure I haven't seen the sun in days. I've been living on a diet of instant noodles and pure anxiety."
We spent the next few hours just walking around, enjoying the freedom. We went to Ohio's favorite vintage store, rummaging through racks of stylish clothes and laughing at the questionable fashion choices of decades past. I found a worn-out band T-shirt that looked like it had been through a war, and Ohio convinced me I needed it. She, in turn, found a ridiculously oversized fuzzy hat that she wore for the rest of the day.
This is what it's all about. These small, easy moments. I'm so used to the hustle that I forget how good it feels to just... be. To have no agenda, no looming deadlines, just the simple joy of spending time with someone who gets it. With someone who is willing to be in the trenches with you. This is the kind of peace that textbooks can't teach you.
We grabbed lunch at a food truck, splitting a plate of messy, delicious tacos. The conversation flowed easily between us, bouncing from the ridiculous moments of the past week to our plans for the weekend. I told her about meeting Percy for lunch and how his simple presence made a difference in my rather stressful week. Ohio listened intently, her eyes twinkling with that familiar knowing look.
"See, I knew it," she said, winking. "he's completely different from what the rumors say, isn't he? And he totally likes having you around, bunny. You're like his little chaos goblin that he secretly loves."
I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips. "I am not a chaos goblin."
"Oh, you are," she insisted playfully. "But you're my chaos goblin, so it's fine."
I can't deny it. Percy's actions do speak louder than words. He's this intense, private guy, and yet he makes space for me in his life. He checks on me, he offers a place to just exist, and he seems to genuinely care about whether I'm okay. It's... a lot. And a part of me, the part that's still tired and a little overwhelmed, is so grateful for it. Maybe Ohio's right. Maybe I am a chaos goblin, and maybe he's my calm in the storm.
As the afternoon sun began winding down, we made our way back to Ohio's dorm. She started packing her bag, and I sat on her bed, watching her get ready to go home. The room, usually a vibrant reflection of her personality, was starting to look empty, and a small pang of loneliness hit me.
"I'm going to miss you this weekend," I said, my voice softer than I intended.
Ohio stopped and looked at me, her smile gentle. "I'll miss you too, bunny. But we'll be back to our regularly scheduled chaos on Monday. And hey, this is an opportunity for you to finally catch up on some much needed sleep. Or maybe spend some time with Percy." She gave me a playful nudge with her elbow.
I laughed, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. "Yeah, maybe. Just...have a safe trip home and don't forget to call me."
After she left, I walked back to my own dorm. The campus felt quieter without her. I now have the whole weekend to myself—no tests, no group projects, just pure, uninterrupted rest. I could finally do all the things I'd put off: binge-watch a show, order takeout, and call my Nana. It was a chance to recharge my batteries, to soak in the calm before exams starts.
I entered the code to my room, the familiar beep-click of the lock giving way. I pushed the door open, ready to finally surrender to the peace and quiet. But as I stepped inside, my heart leaped into my throat and I almost screamed. Curled up on my bed, sound asleep, was Percy
"What the...?" I choked out, a wave of shock and confusion washing over me.
My voice must have been a lot louder than I thought, because he jolted awake, his eyes snapping open. He blinked a few times, a slow, lazy smile spreading across his face as he took me in, standing there with my hand over my chest. He looked so relaxed, so completely at home, that I almost forgot I was looking at Percy, the guy everyone on campus is afraid of.
"You're finally back," he said, his voice husky with sleep. He stretched, a casual, fluid movement that showed just how comfortable he was.
"I didn't know you were here." I said, my voice is still a little shaky. "You scared the living daylight out of me. How did you even get in?"
He chuckled softly, running a hand through his already messy hair. "I used your code. I was just waiting for you to come back from your outing with Ohio. I got tired of waiting, so...I must've dozed off." He sat up on the bed, his green eyes glinting in the dim light. "I figured since you're done with midterms, we can go back to our sleeping arrangements. I can't seem to get a good night's sleep without you."
A blush crept up my neck. The words were simple, but they hit me with the force of a freight train. He needed me. I can't get over the fact that, this quiet, self-contained guy, who seemed to have everything under control, needed me to sleep. The thought sent a thrill mixed with a rush of something else through me—something warm and unexpected.
"Okay," I said, a little breathlessly. "Just...let me grab a few things."
I quickly packed a small bag with a change of underwear and my laptop. As I slung the bag over my shoulder, Percy stood up and grabbed it from me.
"I can take that," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
We walked out of my dorm and into the cool evening air. The campus was lit by the soft glow of streetlights, and a few students lingered outside, enjoying the mild night. But my focus was solely on the person walking beside me.