Beyond: Beyond the Lights

Chapter 10

MADELINE

"Si, papi, classes went well today... Yeah... Okay, I'll stop in tomorrow and see you... Yep... Uh huh... Okay, Te amo también." I quickly wrapped up the phone call with my father, my fingers deftly pressing the end call button as Elena burst into our dorm room with a squeal that could only be described as delightfully chaotic.

The door flew open, and Elena, my roommate and longtime friend, bounced in with the kind of energy that could rival a toddler on a sugar high. Her pin straight hair was a mess of enthusiasm, and her bright eyes sparkled with excitement. "Madeline! You will not believe what just happened!"

I set my phone down and raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "What's going on? You're all worked up."

Elena plopped down on her bed, practically vibrating with excitement. "I just got back from the student center, and guess what? There's a campus-wide event happening this weekend at UCLA - like a big festival with food trucks, live music, and all kinds of activities!"

My eyes widened a fraction, the prospect of a campus festival - at a school that was not our own - making me momentarily forget the pile of textbooks and notes scattered around me. "That sounds awesome. But how are you so up-to-date on this and UCLA?" After all, if it were a Richmont event, the roles would've reversed in who spilled the beans of the event.

Elena threw her arms up in an exaggerated shrug. "I have my sources. And trust me, it's going to be the highlight of the semester. We have to go. It'll be a great break from all this studying."

I glanced at the heap of textbooks and papers on my desk, feeling the weight of my academic responsibilities. "I don't know, Elena. I've got a lot to catch up on. Accounting and Economics are no joke, and I'm already falling behind."

Elena's face fell for a moment before she rallied with determination. "Come on, Madi. You need to have some fun too. Besides, we could use a break. It's been a while since we did something just for ourselves."

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but smile at her persistence. She had a way of turning even the most mundane moments into something memorable. "Alright, alright. We'll go. But only if we make a deal. I need to finish this assignment first, and then we can head out."

Elena's eyes lit up with triumph. "Deal! I'll help you finish up if you want. Two heads are better than one, right?"

"Sounds like a plan," I said, reaching for my notebook. "But you have to promise not to distract me too much."

"Deal!" Elena agreed, already settling into a spot next to me and pulling out her own books. "Let's tackle this together. And then, festival here we come!"

We spent the next few hours buried in textbooks and notes, Elena occasionally chiming in with helpful tips or light-hearted commentary to keep the mood upbeat. It was a rhythm we had fallen into over the past few weeks - balancing study sessions with moments of spontaneous fun. Even with our different course loads and schedules, our friendship managed to weather the demands of college life.

As evening approached, I finally put down my pen with a satisfied sigh. "Okay, I think I'm done for now. Let's get ready for the festival."

Elena jumped up, her excitement palpable. "Yes! I've been looking forward to this all day. Let's make it a night to remember."

We quickly got ready, Elena opting for a casual yet stylish outfit while I went for something comfortable but still a little fun. We met up with a few of Elena's friends in the dorm lobby, those who would be making the hour drive to another campus, all buzzing with excitement for the festival.