The exam that was supposed to be in less than a month now felt like it was looming just around the corner, as time had flown by unexpectedly. Despite Gracie's best efforts to prepare, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anxiety. This would be her first major exam since starting college, and the pressure was mounting.
Gracie turned to Emma, who was studying alongside her. "This constitution material is so dense and difficult to memorize," she lamented. "If I could just focus on the other subjects, I feel like I'd be so much more prepared. But this is just draining all of my energy."
Emma let out a sigh of exasperation. "Tell me about it. I wish I didn't do the course with you," she replied, her own hint of frustration evident. As a non-law student, the requirement to memorize the constitution felt like an unnecessary burden on top of her regular coursework.
Gracie couldn't help but nod in agreement. The two friends had decided to take this course together, thinking it would be a good opportunity to support each other. **But now, as the exam loomed closer, the weight of the workload was starting to take its toll.**
"I just feel so unprepared," Gracie admitted, her brow furrowed with worry. "What if I can't remember all the key points during the exam? I can't afford to mess this up." Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the anxiety she was trying to keep in check.
Emma reached out and gave Gracie's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, we're in this together, okay? We're going to get through this, I promise." Her words were laced with empathy, and Gracie felt a small sense of relief wash over her.
"You're right," Gracie replied, taking a deep breath. "We've got this. We just need to keep pushing forward, even if it feels impossible right now." She mustered a determined smile, drawing strength from Emma's unwavering support.
They both kept studying and memorizing the parts of the constitution they knew would definitely come up in the exams. The atmosphere was tense yet focused, as they flipped through their notes and quizzed each other on key sections.
Just then, Gracie's phone rang. It was Adrian calling. She excused herself before answering, her heart fluttering at the thought of hearing from him. They had been exchanging calls frequently, especially with the exam approaching in less than a week.
"Hey, what's up?" Adrian asked, his voice cheerful and bright. "Are the preparations for the exams giving you a hard time?" Gracie couldn't help but smile at the sound of his voice, which always seemed to lift her spirits.
"So far, the exam preparations have been going well," she admitted. "I'm just having a tough time memorizing the constitution." The frustration in her tone was palpable, and she hoped he could offer some reassurance.
"Trust me, memorizing the constitution is not hard at all," he replied confidently. "Especially since you only need to focus on specific parts. It's not everything you'll need to memorize from the start." He paused for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts.
"You only need the ones on page ## and you'll be fine," he added, trying to encourage her. His optimism was infectious, and Gracie felt a wave of relief wash over her.
"Thanks, Adrian. That actually makes me feel a bit better," she expressed, grateful for his support.
"Now I don't have to waste my time memorizing multiple pages of the constitution that probably won't come up. I'm so grateful for your help," she expressed, her gratitude overflowing. She could hear a soft chuckle on the other end of the line.
"It's nothing really," Adrian replied. "I hope you do well in your exams. Just remember, don't be anxious. As long as you read, you'll be fine." His encouraging words wrapped around her like a warm blanket. "I know you're busy studying right now, but I just called to check up on you. So, keep at it, okay?" he remarked before ending the call.
With just one call from Adrian, all of her current worries seemed to dissipate, and she felt a wave of thankfulness wash over her.
Rejuvenated by their exchange, she returned to Emma, eager to share the helpful advice Adrian had given her. "You won't believe what Adrian just told me!" Gracie exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with renewed energy. She began to relay his tips, excited to make their memorization process easier and more efficient.
After hours of studying and memorizing, they finally managed to embed the sections of the constitution into their memories. A sense of accomplishment washed over them, but fatigue was starting to set in.
They decided to call it a day and shift their focus to other activities that definitely did not involve studying. With their sights set on achieving high GPAs, the weight of their academic responsibilities had begun to feel overwhelming, and a break was much needed. They realized they hadn't eaten properly either, surviving on snacks throughout the day instead of having a proper meal.
With that in mind, Emma suggested, "How about I cook for us both? You're going to love my rice porridge; my grandma taught me how to make it." She remarked with a grin, hoping to lift the tension that had built up during their intense study sessions.
"Really? I've never tried rice porridge before," Gracie replied, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I would like it, but I trust you. Whatever you say!" She smiled weakly, still feeling the exhaustion from the endless studying they had just endured. The thought of a warm, homemade meal was enticing, and she felt a flicker of excitement at the prospect of trying something new.
After hearing Gracie's reply, Emma headed to the kitchen to prepare food for them. Meanwhile, Gracie found herself lost in thought, reminiscing about her family back home. She felt a pang of longing for the warmth of Sparky, the Pomeranian dog she had grown so attached to during her time there.
Although Sparky often spent his days at the neighbor's house while she was studying, she always made time to play with him, even sneaking him into her room on occasion. The playful pup had a way of brightening her day, and she couldn't wait to give him a big hug when she finally returned home. In moments like this, especially when she felt utterly exhausted, Sparky was a source of comfort she desperately missed.
Minutes later, the delicious aroma of rice porridge wafted through the air, pulling Gracie from her thoughts. Although she had her doubts about the dish earlier, she now realized it was something she would likely enjoy.
Emma soon returned to the room, carrying two steaming bowls of rice porridge—one for herself and one for Gracie. With a smile, she handed a bowl to Gracie and settled down to begin her meal.
Gracie took a bite of the porridge, and to her surprise, it was beyond her expectations. The flavors were comforting and delicious, and she felt a wave of guilt for doubting Emma earlier. "This is amazing!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. The warmth of the meal was exactly what she needed, and she savored each spoonful, grateful for both Emma's cooking and the comforting moment they shared.
After they finished their meal, Gracie insisted on doing the dishes. "Really, Emma, you cooked, so it's only fair that I take care of this," she declared with a determined smile. Emma tried to protest, but Gracie was already gathering the bowls and utensils, eager to show her appreciation.
As she washed the dishes, the warm water felt soothing against her hands, helping to wash away the remnants of exhaustion from their long study session. She couldn't help but reflect on how nice it was to share a meal with a friend, a refreshing break from the stress of their studies.
Emma leaned against the kitchen counter, watching Gracie with a grateful expression. "Thanks, Gracie. You really didn't have to," she replied, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Gracie just shrugged, a playful grin on her face. "It's the least I can do after that delicious porridge. Besides, it gives me a moment to unwind," she remarked, feeling a sense of contentment wash over her as she rinsed the last dish.
Once everything was clean and dried, Gracie smiled at Emma. "All done! Now we can just relax for a bit." The two friends shared a satisfied look, feeling a renewed sense of camaraderie as they settled back into their cozy space, ready to enjoy a well-deserved break.
While settling back on their beds, Gracie realized this was the perfect time to tell Emma about Adrian. "You know the person who called not too long ago? He's an upperclassman of mine. I actually met him before I came to school," she shared, noticing that she now had Emma's full attention.
"Oh really? How did you two meet?" Emma asked, curiosity evident on her face as she leaned in closer.
Gracie smiled, eager to recount the story. She proceeded to tell Emma about the incident at the park, describing how Adrian had come to her rescue when she had felt overwhelmed. She detailed their chance encounter again at school, how they had recognized each other, and the instant connection they shared.
"I'm so glad I ran into him again," Gracie continued, her excitement bubbling over. "I've been dying to tell you this, and now that I have, it feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders." She blew out the breath she had been holding unconsciously, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Emma smiled, clearly happy for her friend, and Gracie felt grateful to share this moment with someone who understood her excitement.
The day was coming to an end, and it was already late before they realized how much time had passed. They had been engrossed in conversation, sharing updates about their lives, including Emma's confession about her crush on the current student body president.
After exchanging their goodnights, they settled into their beds, their exhaustion from studying evident in their heavy eyelids and relaxed postures. The warmth of the day's conversations lingered in the air, providing a comforting backdrop as they drifted off to sleep.
Gracie couldn't help but hope that their hard work and dedication to their studies would pay off, even as she succumbed to a peaceful slumber. The comfort of friendship and the promise of a new day ahead wrapped around them like a warm blanket, soothing their tired minds.