Insomnia// Jeerangz

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**Jeemin's POV**

I lay awake staring straight up at an endless void, pondering my thoughts. What happens to us after death? Should I eat a Subway sandwich or should I eat chicken nuggets tomorrow? Am I going to do well on my chemistry exam tomorrow? Why does Jiyoon snore so loudly? These are questions we just may never get the answer to.

If you couldn't tell, I suffer from insomnia so every night it's the same routine for me: study, brush my teeth, head to bed, then stare up at the ceiling for hours on-end tossing and turning on my bed. The insomnia has had appearances frequently throughout my life, but it seemed to stop after I finished 6th grade. However, ever since I entered university, the drought for the past 6 or so years ended. I don't really know what started it up again, but what I do know is that it is a problem. I haven't been able to attend lectures without drifting off and on to sleep. There were some instances where I even completely blacked out in class or while walking around campus. I've gone to the health office and the nice lady there prescribed me medications but even those didn't work. And I've had to endure this for my entire first year at university. At least now that I'm in my second year, I have experience. I'm not the same foolish first-year!

This particular day seemed rather peaceful though; a strange vibe wafted through the air even though it looked the same as every other day. I sat up on my bed and stared out the window. I rose so quickly that I almost bumped my head on the roof of the room. Thankfully, I didn't or I would've woken up my roommate. I share a bunk bed with my roommate Jiyoon, whom resides on the bottom bunk and as you might have come to learn is quite the snorer, although still a very light-sleeper surprisingly.

The stars were brightly sparkling in the night sky, the light posts lining the pathway next to the dorm twitched on-and-off, a soft wind bellowed across the trees. I decided to take a walk outside to get some fresh air; it wasn't like I was going to fall sleep anyways. I stealthily climbed down the ladder of the bunk bed, careful not to be too loud and wake Jiyoon up. I tiptoed across the room and shuffled through my wardrobe and put on a hoodie for the chilly occasion. Peering out the door, I flicked my head left-and-right to scan for any RAs wandering around. It's way past curfew so if I get caught being out at midnight, I'll get in major trouble and being put on my RA's radar so early in the year is not ideal. Then I had a grand epiphany: why would the RAs still be up at midnight? Not taking any chances, I still snuck around the floor carefully, used the stairs to be the most convert, and dipped outside of my dorm building.

The cool winds of the night blew through my face, yet I didn't mind; it was soothing, like putting your face right in front of a fan on a hot summer's day. There was absolutely nothing out besides the trees and lights. As I roamed around the campus, I was melodically humming to the sound of crickets chirping. It was irritating at first, but eventually transitioned to white noise that complemented my walk so I wasn't roaming in complete silence. I walked around carefully, fearful of anything that may pop out in front of me. I mindlessly continued until I reached the other side of the campus; near the student rec center.

My feet were aching from the journey so I decided to settle down on a nearby bench. It faced the bustling, party streets of late-night Seoul. Due to the elevated location of campus, I watched from kilometers above; I could make out little silhouettes drunkenly stumbling around, cars cruising past, and the loud cheers of late-night karaoke. It was like I was a deity watching her little subjects from above, each one fulfilling their own life story. All these people celebrating with their friends and families, living life to the fullest without a second thought. Yet here I am: unable to sleep, just watching them from afar like a stalker. I must've stayed like this for eons, watching people enter and leave this makeshift mesocosm I have constructed in my head.

That's when a loud thud shook my concentration. I flung my head around to the source of the sound. I noticed that in the far side of the rec center, a room was still lit up an angelic golden yellow. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, my feet moved on its own without the consent of my brain. I urged it to stop but I just kept on moving; my curiosity taking precedent. The distance was little, but the time felt endless. I anxiously pulled the door open and entered the building which was pitch black.