Freshmen Fiascos: The College Fest Part 1

“Finally!” I sighed, feeling the tension of the exam period melt away as I stretched out on my bed. “Exams are over, and I can actually breathe again!”

Olivia glanced over from her side of the room, where she was organizing a stack of notebooks with her usual precision. “You look like you’ve just come back from war,” she teased, her lips twitching into a smile. ^_^

“Pretty sure I have,” I replied, giving her a mock-serious look. “But now that the exams are behind us, I can finally focus on having fun—and getting my life back on track.”

Olivia laughed softly. “Well, lucky for you, there’s no better time to do that. We’ve got the entire college fest ahead of us, starting tonight. A full week of music, competitions, food, and zero stress.”

“I can’t wait,” I said, sitting up. “All the different games, the concerts, the talent shows… I’ve heard the lineup is insane this year.”

“Not to mention the parties,” Olivia added with a grin. “And, of course, the chance to see everyone let loose. Even the professors can’t pretend they’re not excited.”

She was right. The college fest wasn’t just an event; it was an experience. For one whole week, the campus transformed into a playground of excitement, anticipation, and drama, bringing out the best—and sometimes the worst—in everyone. It was a tradition that students looked forward to all year, with an almost competitive eagerness to be part of the action. :)

“Are Jake and the others meeting us for the opening ceremony?” I asked.

Olivia nodded. “Yup, he and Noah should be there already. Speaking of which,” she added, glancing at the clock, “we should head out if we want to find good seats.”

The main quad was buzzing with energy when we arrived. It seemed like the entire student body had turned up, milling around in groups and chatting excitedly. Strings of fairy lights crisscrossed the open space, and a massive stage stood at the center, decorated with banners and streamers in the college’s colors. ;)

“There they are!” I called out, spotting Jake and Noah near the front.

Jake, with his easygoing grin and relaxed vibe, looked like he belonged in a crowd of a thousand people, completely at ease. Noah, on the other hand, had his usual analytical expression, arms crossed as he scanned the crowd.

“Ladies,” Jake greeted us with a casual wave. “Ready to kick off the best week of the year?”

“Absolutely,” I replied, slipping into a spot next to him. “What are you most looking forward to?”

“The sports events, definitely,” he said. “And maybe seeing Samantha and her gang crash and burn in one of the academic contests.”

I laughed. “Isn’t that a bit mean?” -_-

He shrugged, unrepentant. “They always act like they own the place. It’s about time someone knocked them down a peg.”

We continued chatting as the quad filled up, the buzz of excitement growing louder. Suddenly, a loud cheer erupted from the back, and we turned to see a group making their way through the crowd—Samantha, Rachel, and Abigail, the unofficial queens of the campus, flanked by a few other popular kids.

The atmosphere shifted as they moved forward, students parting like the Red Sea to let them pass. Samantha, with her long, sleek hair and perfect posture, led the way, her eyes scanning the crowd with a cool, assessing gaze. Like this >_>

“Great,” Olivia muttered. “Here comes the royal entourage.”

“Just ignore them,” Noah suggested. “They thrive on attention.”

But it was hard not to notice them. Samantha’s presence had a way of commanding the space around her, and whether people liked her or not, they couldn’t help but watch.

As if sensing our stares, she glanced in our direction and smirked slightly before turning away.

“Okay, enough of them,” I said, shaking off the strange tension. “Let’s just focus on enjoying ourselves.”

The opening ceremony was a whirlwind of excitement. There were dance performances, a hilarious comedy sketch by some of the drama students, and a surprise musical number by one of the most talented a cappella groups on campus. By the time the final act took the stage—a local indie band that had everyone on their feet—the entire quad was alive with energy.

“I can’t believe how amazing that was!” I shouted over the music, grinning at Olivia.

She nodded enthusiastically, her eyes bright. “And it’s just the beginning. Tomorrow is when the real fun starts.” :)

As the crowd began to disperse, we lingered for a bit, soaking in the atmosphere. I noticed a group of unfamiliar faces near the back—a tall guy with shaggy dark hair and a girl with fiery red curls, both of them watching the stage with quiet intensity.

“New students?” I wondered aloud.

“Transfer students, I think,” Noah replied, following my gaze. “Heard they’re upperclassmen.”

“They seem interesting,” I mused, but before I could speculate further, Jake was tugging us toward the food stalls.

“Enough people-watching,” he said with a grin. “Let’s get some food.”

The next day dawned bright and early, with the campus already buzzing by the time Olivia and I stepped outside. Today was the start of the games and competitions—everything from dodgeball and basketball to chess tournaments and academic quizzes.

“Which event are we watching first?” I asked as we made our way across the quad, which had been transformed into a carnival-like scene with booths, banners, and colorful tents.

“I think Jake’s soccer match is starting soon,” Olivia said, glancing at the schedule on her phone. “And then there’s the dodgeball tournament, which should be hilarious.”

“Perfect,” I said, grinning. “Let’s find good seats.”

The soccer field was packed when we arrived, and we squeezed our way to the front just as the whistle blew. Jake’s team was up against a group of second-year students—quick, agile players who clearly knew their way around a field.

“Go, Jake!” I shouted as the game began. XD

He glanced our way, flashing a quick smile before diving back into the action. The match was intense, with both teams giving it their all. Jake was in his element, weaving around defenders and setting up shots like a pro.

“Look at him go,” Olivia murmured, eyes wide with admiration.

But it wasn’t just Jake who stood out. One of the second-year players—a tall, lean guy with messy blond hair—was a whirlwind on the field, matching Jake’s every move with a speed and precision that was almost uncanny.

“Who’s that?” I asked, nodding toward the player.

“No idea,” Olivia replied. “But he’s good.”

As if sensing our attention, the guy glanced our way, his eyes flickering with amusement before he refocused on the game.

The match ended in a nail-biting finish, with Jake’s team barely scraping by with a one-point lead. We cheered as they jogged off the field, high-fiving each other. Yayyyyyyyyyyy.

“That was awesome!” I exclaimed as Jake approached, still panting slightly from the exertion.

“Yeah, but that guy,” he said, nodding toward the blond player, who was talking to his teammates on the other side of the field. “He was tough. What’s his name again?”

“No clue,” I said. “But it looks like you might have some competition.”

Jake just grinned. “Bring it on.”

To be Continued