episode 4; weekend!!!!
641 Words
The lecture hall buzzed with the low hum of confused students and squeaky whiteboard markers.
She tapped her pen against the page, biting her lip. This used to come easy back in high school. Why was it different now?
The giant lecture screen flickered to life as the professor—an older man with wild gray curls and too much energy for a Saturday—paced in front of the class.
“Okay, Communications majors,” he said, spinning to face them, “let’s see who’s awake.”
A collective groan moved through the hall.
Tania sat up straighter. She was here for this. Media & Communications was her major—storytelling, people, meaning. She loved that stuff.
“Here’s a warm-up,” the professor continued. “What’s the difference between denotation and connotation?”
Her brain froze.
He scanned the room, then pointed straight at her.
“You—striped notebook and nervous pen tapping—want to give it a shot?”
Tania blinked. “Uh…”
“C’mon,” he said playfully. “It’s not a trick question.”
She opened her mouth. Nothing came out.
“Wanna phone a friend?” the professor teased. Light laughter rippled through the class.
Before she could melt into her chair, a voice spoke from behind her.
“Denotation is the literal meaning,” the guy said smoothly. “Connotation is the emotional or cultural meaning.”
She turned slightly.
Elijah.
The guy from two rows back. Faded black hoodie, dimple showing as he leaned back casually. His voice had that calm confidence that made you want to roll your eyes and lean in at the same time.
“Excellent,” the professor said. “Name?”
“Elijah,” he replied, flashing a grin.
“Thank Elijah, everyone,” the professor said, and a few people clapped sarcastically.
Tania felt heat rise to her cheeks. She dropped her gaze to her notes.
Elijah leaned forward and whispered just loud enough for her to hear:
“Don’t worry, I blank all the time too. First year brain lag.”
Tania looked back at him and offered a small, grateful smile.
He’s cute, she thought—and annoyingly smart.
Back to the dorm ; Tania laid on her bed , staring at the ceiling when Zara burst in like a thunderclap.
“You’re not seriously staying in tonight?” she said dramatically, tossing her phone onto the bed.
Tania sat up slowly. “What’s tonight?”
Zara’s eyes widened. “The Westview Freshers’ Party.
Theeee party!!!. Invite-only!!!. VIPs!!!! musicians!!!!, seniors!!!!, the works. You know, cool people.”
Tania raised an eyebrow. “Sounds like exactly where I don’t belong.”
“Which is why you’re going,” Zara said, pointing at her with a makeup brush. “As my plus one. I already told them.”
“I don’t know, Z. That’s not really my scene…”
“Girl. You can’t live your whole life on mute.”
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An hour later, Tania held her phone in one hand, pacing the room.
She hit dial.
“Hey mama,” she said as her mother’s face popped up on the screen.
“You okay? You never call this early ,” her mom said, surprised.
Tania forced a casual shrug. “Yeah, I just… had some free time so I'm joining a study group. Figured I’d say hi early.”
Junior’s voice yelled in the background, “Is that her?! Put her on speaker!”
They talked for a while—laughing, teasing, filling the space with love—and for a moment, she forgot how nervous she felt.
“I miss you,” she said softly before hanging up.
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Back in the room, she stared into her bag.
Nothing screamed party—just t-shirts, jeans, and a pair of dusty flats.
- Writer
