The new semester began with a flurry of activity. Between settling back into the routine of classes and reconnecting with friends, life was busier than ever. Yet, there was an undercurrent of excitement that kept me energized.
Izzie and I were determined to make this semester memorable. We started by organizing our schedules, ensuring we had time for both studies and fun. I found myself spending more time with Angelo, who continued to be a source of comfort and joy. Our relationship deepened, and I cherished every moment we spent together.
It was a sunny Saturday afternoon when Angelo and I decided to spend the day together. We planned to catch the latest blockbuster at the local cinema, a place I had never been but always wanted to visit. Angelo picked me up at my dorm, and we set off, chatting excitedly about the movie and what snacks to get.
The cinema was bustling with activity, the air filled with the scent of popcorn and the soft hum of conversations. Angelo bought our tickets, and we headed straight to the concession stand.
"Large popcorn, extra butter," Angelo said, grinning at me. "And two sodas, please."
I smiled, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. "Don't forget the candy."
With our snacks in hand, we made our way to the theater. The seats were plush and comfortable, and we settled in as the trailers began to play.
As the movie started, Angelo's excitement was contagious. "This is going to be awesome," he whispered, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
I nodded, my attention glued to the screen. The film was action-packed and thrilling, and we were both absorbed in the story. About halfway through, I reached for some popcorn and accidentally knocked over my soda.
"Oh no," I whispered, trying to clean up the mess.
"It's okay," Angelo said, his tone still cheerful. "I'll go get some napkins."
He quickly returned with a handful of napkins, and we managed to clean up the spill without too much trouble. We continued watching the movie, enjoying the twists and turns of the plot.
As the credits rolled, Angelo leaned over and whispered, "That was amazing!"
"It really was," I agreed, smiling. "Thanks for taking me."
As the credits rolled, Angelo leaned over and whispered, "That was amazing!"
"It really was," I agreed, smiling. "Thanks for taking me."
As the credits rolled, Angelo leaned over and whispered, "That was amazing!"
"It really was," I agreed, smiling. "Thanks for taking me."
We left the theater and decided to grab a bite to eat at a nearby café. We found a cozy corner table and ordered some sandwiches and drinks.
As we ate, Angelo's competitive side began to show. He noticed a trivia game on the café's TV screen and started answering the questions with enthusiasm.
"I'm really good at this," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Impressive," I replied, genuinely impressed by his knowledge.
But as the questions got harder and Angelo started missing a few, his mood began to shift.
"Come on, these questions are ridiculous," he muttered, frustration evident in his voice.
"It's just for fun," I said, trying to keep things light.
But Angelo was determined to win. He kept watching the screen, his frustration growing with each missed answer. I could see the tension building, and it made me uncomfortable.
"Maybe we should just enjoy our food," I suggested gently.
"No, I can get these," he insisted, his jaw set in determination.
After a few more questions, he finally got one right. He looked at me with a forced smile. "See? Told you."
"Good job," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic.
As we walked back to the car, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. This side of Angelo was new to me, and I didn't like it. We drove back to the dorm in silence, the earlier excitement of the day dampened.
"Angelo, it's okay not to get every answer right," I said softly. "It's about having fun together."
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know, Isa. I just hate losing. It's a flaw I need to work on."
I reached for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "No one is perfect. We all have things we need to work on."
He looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry if I ruined the day for you."
"You didn't ruin anything," I said, smiling. "We still had a great time. Just remember, it's not about winning or losing. It's about enjoying each other's company."
He nodded, and we spent the rest of the evening talking and watching TV, avoiding any more competitive games. By the time he left, the tension had eased, and we were back to laughing and enjoying ourselves.
Back at the dorm, I told Eloise about the day. She listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and understanding.
"Isa, it's good that you saw this side of him," she said. "It's important to know all facets of a person, especially someone you're close to."
I nodded, appreciating her wisdom. "Yeah, you're right. I just hope we can work through it together."
As I lay in bed that night, I reflected on the day's events. Angelo was not perfect, and neither was I. But if we could navigate our flaws and grow together, then maybe our relationship could become even stronger.
I found myself falling back into the rhythm of classes and study sessions. One evening, while Eloise was getting ready to head out to a party with her friends, I decided to take a stand. She had been going out almost every night since we returned, and I knew she needed a break. More importantly, I needed her company.
"Izzie, you're coming to the library with me tonight," I announced, standing in the doorway of our dorm room.
She turned to look at me, her hand frozen mid-brush in her hair. "What? But Isa and the others are expecting me."
I crossed my arms, giving her my best stern look. "You've been out every night. It's time for a study session, and besides, we need to talk about our majors."
Eloise groaned but set her brush down. "Fine, you win. But you owe me, Isa."
We walked to the library, the cool night air a stark contrast to the bustling party atmosphere we were leaving behind. The library was quiet, a haven of focused energy. We found a table in a secluded corner and settled in, spreading our books and notes across the surface.
"So, what's this about majors?" Eloise asked, pulling out her laptop.
I sighed, tapping my pen against my notebook. "I've been thinking a lot about it. I've always been drawn to biology, but I don't really know what I want to do with it. I just know I'm fascinated by life sciences."
Eloise nodded thoughtfully. "Biology sounds like a good fit for you. You've always been good at it."
I smiled, feeling a bit more confident in my decision. "Thanks. What about you? Have you decided yet?"
She shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. "I'm thinking about majoring in psychology. I love understanding how people think and why they do what they do. Plus, it might help me figure out why you're such a nerd."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Psychology suits you. You're always good at reading people and helping them with their problems."
Eloise grinned. "I guess it runs in the family. Rosalie is always analyzing everything and everyone. Speaking of which, do you think she'll be proud of my choice?"
"Absolutely," I said, nodding. "Your whole family will be. Psychology is a great major, and you'll be amazing at it."
We spent the next few hours studying and talking about our futures. It felt good to share our hopes and uncertainties, and I realized how much I had missed this. Eloise's presence was comforting, and I was grateful for our friendship.
As the night wore on, the library began to empty out, but we stayed, lost in our own little world of dreams and plans. Finally, as the clock struck midnight, we packed up our things and headed back to our dorm.
"Thanks for dragging me here, Isa," Eloise said, bumping my shoulder with hers. "I needed this more than I realized."
I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest. "Anytime, Izzie. Anytime."
Back in our room, we both climbed into our beds, the quiet of the night settling around us. I felt a sense of peace, knowing that we were both on paths that excited us, even if they were still uncertain.
As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but feel hopeful about the future. No matter what challenges lay ahead, I knew we'd face them together.