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Week 1 Transition

The story takes place during a COVID-19 lockdown, where a student feels overwhelmed by coursework and isolation. After giving a successful presentation, she encounters a classmate who compliments her, leading to a shared moment of connection and a desire to drink together once the lockdown ends. Their brief interaction highlights the longing for freedom and companionship amidst the constraints of their situation.

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liruowen1223
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8 views

Week 1 Transition

The story takes place during a COVID-19 lockdown, where a student feels overwhelmed by coursework and isolation. After giving a successful presentation, she encounters a classmate who compliments her, leading to a shared moment of connection and a desire to drink together once the lockdown ends. Their brief interaction highlights the longing for freedom and companionship amidst the constraints of their situation.

Uploaded by

liruowen1223
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The lockdown

Ruowen Li

It was still a time of lockdown due to the COVID-19. All campus were
closed and students were forbidden to go out. Freedom was
constrained, coupled with the endless coursework requiring her
finish at the moment, her mental state was on the brink of collapse.
Just after class that day, which she gave a presentation and gained
good review, she packed her bag and was about to leave the
classroom, stopped by someone.

"Hi."

It was a young man she had an impression. She remembered he had


excellent grades but she wasn't particularly fond of such a showy
person like a half-filled jug making too much noise. She felt he was
showing off excessively.

"Hi."

A moment of silence.

“I just want to say…you're really amazing. The book is hard to read,


and there were so many parts I didn't understand, but after listening
to your presentation, it all became clear. You’re a genius!"

She smiled and said thank you, feeling a sense of pride. She had
always liked it when others regarded her talented. It was a rare
moment of intellectual pleasure for her. He said goodbye and then
left the classroom. However, she felt an inexplicable urge rising
within her and she immediately quickened her pace to catch up with
him. She went out and saw that he seemed to be consciously
waiting for her. That time her heart skipped a beat, and the world
fell into a kind of enjoyable silence. The corridor lights were dim,
with the warm glow from the streetlights outside seeping in, adding
a touch of charm to the atmosphere. They walked side by side out of
the building.

"I wonder when the lockdown will be lifted." She said,

After only a few steps, they reached the tightly secured school gate,
where several security guards took turns on duty. The brief moment
of mental pleasure was now pulled back to reality.
"Yeah, if it continues like this, everyone's mental state will become
abnormal."

"I want to go out for a drink. "

He looked at her with slight surprise. Perhaps he hadn't expected


someone as serious and dedicated to their studies and work as her
to want such a moment of indulgence.

"Drinking in a bar isn't just about the alcohol; it's about the
atmosphere. There's music, alcohol, and friends. When you get a
little tipsy, everyone opens up, and conversations range from gossip
to art, philosophy, and life. It's a climax of the soul."

She explained, and he felt a sense of empathy. She looked at him,


and he seemed a bit evasive in his gaze and a bit shy.

"Then... let's drink together once the lockdown is lifted."

The night had fallen completely. The cool breeze of autumn rustled
her long hair and the golden leaves of the plane trees. She didn’t
know if the dark night concealed the blush on his face, but she knew
for sure that the cool breeze had lowered the temperature of her
flushed cheeks.

"Sure, see you next time."

In an age when everyone felt hopeless, these two people were


locked within a small campus, where love and desire intertwined
with their souls for that brief moment.

His figure disappeared into the cool autumn night.

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