Chapter 6 – Campus Fair
1041 Words
The air buzzed with anticipation as colorful banners fluttered above the university’s central plaza. Booths lined the pathways, each one uniquely decorated with hand-painted signs, balloons, and makeshift tables filled with brochures, snacks, and handcrafted trinkets. It was the annual Campus Fair—a beloved tradition where student organizations came together to showcase their causes, clubs, and creativity.
Elena Reyes adjusted the strap of her canvas bag, scanning the bustling fairgrounds. She squinted under the bright morning sun and spotted the familiar blue-and-white banner of the Psychology Society booth.
“Hey, Elena!” a voice called. It was Mia, her classmate and one of the event organizers. “We’re short on hands for the booth. Think you can stick around?”
Elena smiled. “Of course. Just tell me what needs doing.”
She set down her bag and rolled up her sleeves. The booth, themed “Mind Matters,” aimed to spread awareness about mental health through games and free consultation sign-ups. It was meaningful work—Elena wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
Minutes into sorting flyers, a figure approached from the side, holding a stack of laminated cards.
“Need some reinforcements?” Noah Dela Cruz asked, flashing a soft smile.
Elena’s heart skipped. She hadn’t expected to see him here. He wasn’t the type to volunteer for events filled with noise and social chaos—but here he was, sleeves rolled, helping without being asked.
“You’re here?” she said, pleasantly surprised.
“Yeah, the Engineering Society’s booth is nearby. We’re demoing a water purifier prototype, but they let me wander for a bit. Figured I’d find something more... grounded.”
She laughed, handing him a roll of tape. “Welcome to the chaos, then.”
Together, they began organizing the activity table—Noah arranging the flashcards used for a “Myth or Fact” game about mental health, while Elena set up a small bowl of origami fortune tellers filled with self-care prompts. They moved easily around each other, exchanging glances, jokes, and the occasional nudge when one teased the other.
As students and visitors began trickling in, they took turns facilitating the game. Elena brought her warmth and gentle presence, guiding shy participants through each activity with empathy. Noah, usually reserved, surprised her with his dry humor and thoughtful responses that made even skeptical students nod in agreement.
The two made a quiet but effective team.
Midway through the day, a group of students stopped by the booth. One boy pointed to a flashcard and read aloud, “Mental health problems are rare. Myth or Fact?”
“Myth,” Elena replied. “One in four people are affected by mental health issues at some point in their lives.”
“That many?” the boy asked, eyebrows raised.
“Yeah,” Noah added. “But the good news is, awareness helps reduce stigma. That’s why we’re here.”
Elena glanced at him, silently appreciating how he could distill big truths into simple words. He always seemed to speak from a place of calm, never rushing, never embellishing.
As the day wore on, the energy around them grew more festive. Music floated from nearby speakers, and laughter filled the air. A student parade passed by, throwing candies into the crowd. One bounced off Noah’s head, causing Elena to burst into laughter.
“You okay?” she chuckled.
He mock-scowled, picking up the candy. “Assaulted by a caramel. Brutal.”
She offered him a juice box from under the booth. “Drink this to recover. Trauma heals.”
He took it with a small bow. “You’re a great therapist in training.”
They sat side by side behind the booth for a quick break, sipping juice boxes like two kids sharing recess.
“You’re good with people,” Elena said after a beat. “Even if you try to hide it.”
Noah shrugged. “It’s easier when it’s not about me. And when you're around, things feel... simpler.”
Elena blinked, surprised by his honesty. But then again, that was Noah—always saying exactly what he meant, in the quietest way.
The sun dipped lower, casting golden light over the fairgrounds. The Psychology booth had become one of the more popular stops, with students taking photos beside their “Mind Matters” backdrop and signing up for wellness newsletters.
Later, after their shift, Elena and Noah wandered toward the food stalls. He bought them two rice burgers, and they sat on a low stone wall near the fountain, watching as fairy lights flickered on across the plaza.
“It’s funny,” Elena said, “how I thought today would be exhausting. But I feel... light.”
“Same,” Noah said. “I usually avoid these things. But with you, it’s different. It’s not noise. It’s connection.”
They sat in silence for a moment, chewing thoughtfully. Around them, the fair continued—friends laughing, students taking selfies, the scent of grilled food mixing with the cool evening breeze.
Elena turned to him, her voice soft. “Do you ever wonder what this would’ve been like if we met at a different time? Like, if we were different people?”
Noah looked at her. “Maybe. But then we wouldn’t be us. I think timing is part of everything.”
She nodded, absorbing his words.
He added, almost in a whisper, “Some things are worth waiting for.”
Elena looked away quickly, a blush creeping to her cheeks. Not because he was confessing anything—he wasn’t. But because, somehow, those simple words stirred something deeper.
It wasn’t a declaration. It wasn’t even flirtation. It was just... understanding.
And maybe, just maybe, that was better than anything else right now.
As the night wore on, they helped pack up the booth. Elena caught herself smiling more than once. Not because of some grand romantic moment. But because the entire day had felt like a quiet promise—of trust, of slow connection, of something real forming in the in-between.
Love wasn’t rushing in like a storm. It was unfolding, slowly, in booths and laughter, juice boxes and shared silences.
And maybe, that was the most honest kind of beginning.
- Writer
