surrounding me

chapter 16- Evelyn

My head felt like it was pounding with a sledgehammer, a dull ache radiating from my temples. The aftermath of last night's revelry had hit me hard, leaving me nauseous and groggy. I dragged myself out of bed, each movement feeling like an enormous effort. The room was bathed in the soft morning light, but even that felt harsh on my eyes. I needed something—anything—to shake off the remnants of the night before.In a half-dazed state, I made my way to the tiny kitchenette, fumbling with the coffee maker. The rich aroma of brewing coffee began to fill the room, a comforting scent that promised some semblance of normalcy. I hoped a hot cup would clear my foggy mind and settle my queasy stomach. As I waited, I mindlessly scrolled through my phone, my eyes landing on a string of notifications I had missed.Among them was a message from Christopher. My heart did a little flip as I opened it, a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Are you free this Sunday?" he had asked. I scrolled further up to find more messages I hadn't noticed before. The realization hit me like a wave—I had been so caught up in the whirlwind of the last few days that I hadn't even checked my messages. The thought made me smile; Christopher, the enigmatic, intense man who had kissed me like no one ever had, was asking me out.A warmth spread through me, a mixture of excitement and nervousness. He could be so cute sometimes, with his straightforward yet sincere way of expressing himself. It was a side of him that contrasted sharply with the commanding presence he usually exuded. I quickly typed out a reply, my fingers trembling slightly as I hit send: "Yes, I'm free. Why?" As I sipped my coffee, savoring the warmth as it coursed through me, I felt a flutter of anticipation. What could he possibly have planned? The thought made my heart race, my mind spinning with possibilities. Just then, my eyes caught the time on the clock, and reality came crashing back. Panic surged through me. "Eve, you're going to be late for class!"In a frenzy, I scrambled to get ready, my hangover momentarily forgotten. I threw on the first outfit I could find—jeans and a simple top—and quickly ran a brush through my hair. My reflection stared back at me, a little worse for wear but determined. I grabbed my bag and bolted out of the door, my mind still half-occupied with thoughts of Christopher and the mysterious Sunday plan.

As I sprinted across campus, weaving through clusters of students, I could see the lecture hall coming into view. My breath was shallow, and my heart pounded in my chest from the rush. Just outside the entrance, Sara was waiting for me, her face lit up with a tired but welcoming smile. She waved me over, her expression mirroring my own morning-after fatigue.

"God, my head feels like it's been run over by a truck," she groaned as I settled into the seat next to her. She rubbed her temples, her hair still a little disheveled from the night's festivities. I nodded in sympathy, feeling the dull throb in my own head. We exchanged stories of the previous night's chaos, laughing quietly at the shared experience of a hangover. Despite the grogginess, there was an unspoken camaraderie in our shared suffering, a testament to the new bond we were forming.

The class began, and the lecturer droned on, his voice a monotone background as we tried to focus. The subject matter was dense and tedious, the kind that required a Herculean effort to stay awake for. Sara and I passed notes and stifled yawns, doodling in our notebooks to keep our eyes open. The minutes seemed to stretch into hours, each lecture slide feeling like an eternity. But finally, the professor concluded with a stack of notes and an ominous promise of an upcoming test. The collective sigh of relief from the students was palpable as we packed up our things.

Once free from the lecture hall, Sara and I made a beeline for the canteen. The prospect of food was a welcome distraction from the lingering headache. As we entered the bustling canteen, the smell of coffee and fresh pastries wafted through the air. Juli and Mary were already there, waving us over with eager expressions."Hey, you made it!" Juli greeted, her eyes bright with excitement. She looked far too energetic for someone who had been partying just as hard. "Ugh, barely," Sara muttered, plopping down next to her. I joined them, grabbing a croissant and a coffee. The caffeine would be my savior today.

As we settled in, Juli leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Did you hear about the big volleyball match this afternoon?" She looked around, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "It's the finals—Law versus Electrical Engineering."My curiosity piqued, I raised an eyebrow. "What's the big deal? It's just a game, right?"Mary snorted, shaking her head. "Not just any game. Keane's playing, and he's facing off against his ultimate rival from the Electrical Engineering department." She rolled her eyes dramatically, but there was a hint of amusement in her tone. "It's like a real-life sports drama. Apparently, they've been arch-nemeses since freshman year."Sara chuckled, her interest clearly piqued despite her initial fatigue. "So, it's like a showdown of the titans, huh?""Exactly," Juli confirmed, her grin widening. "The whole campus is buzzing about it. If we miss it, we'll be missing out on the most talked-about event of the semester."I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. The thought of watching a high-stakes game, complete with campus legends and rivalries, was suddenly appealing. It felt like a quintessential college experience, something to dive into with the same abandon as the previous night's party. Plus, the idea of seeing Keane—who seemed to be a campus celebrity—face off against his so-called nemesis was intriguing."Alright, I'm in," I said, grinning. "Let's go watch the drama unfold."The decision made, we finished our food and spent the next hour chatting and laughing, the excitement for the upcoming match building. The atmosphere was infectious, a lively buzz that seemed to spread through the canteen as more students trickled in, all talking about the game. It was clear that this was more than just a sports event; it was a social happening, a moment where everyone came together, united by the anticipation of a great showdown.As we left the canteen and headed towards the sports complex, the sun was shining brightly, the perfect backdrop for what promised to be an epic match. The energy around us was electric, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. This was what university life was all about—new experiences, unexpected twists, and the thrill of being part of something bigger than yourself.