S.T.R.E.S.S.

stress

STRESS

sTrEsS

Stress – Definition (Urban Dictionary)
The one thing everyone has and no one want, stress is a complete asshole. It'll fuck you when you're up, and It'll fuck you when you're down. It is known to cause Suicide, murder, tumors, AIDS, and cancer. So Don't get stressed out, cause stress SUCKS! Usually caused by something unfortunate, like death, job loss, woman loss, school, etc.

She could feel it. Like it was standing behind her. Weighing on her shoulders.

She had thirteen assignments due, had not packed her stuff, looked like a mess, and was still eating cereal in her pajamas at three in the afternoon.

Jane sighed. Why was College not as fun, spontaneous, and exciting as she had hoped? Where was Fun-Jane when she was needed the most? The one who went to parties, made witty jokes and was full of enthusiasm. How had she been replaced by Awful-Jane? Maybe a break would bring her back. A break from everything. Most importantly form all the stress.

Trying to untangle a small cornflake from of her curly brown hair, Jane decided to go for a run. That would clear her mind and hopefully fill her with new energy.

Outside she noticed the lack of people. Campus was usually full of students chatting with their friends, discussing the latest gossip, running or silently walking towards the coffee shop. But now, Jane was all alone.

She felt alone too.

Depressing, this whole situation.

Then she started running. She had turned the music up so loud; some noises even escaped her headphones. But for the first time in nearly three weeks she felt decently good. Powerful even.

She ran. And it felt like the music was cheering her on. She ran down the path she used to take to class every day. Past the building of literature studies. Past the park she used to hang out with friends. Past every place that reminded her of better times.

She was out of breath. After leaving all the places behind that sparked so many memories, she felt exhausted. She needed to go back but was not ready to. Nothing was calling her back. Nothing but responsibilities. Finishing her assignments, packing, looking like she got a decent amount of sleep.

"You need to be ready" she told herself. "You are ready" a small, almost inaudible voice in her head answered.

She needed to go back. No, run back. Get control over her life again. Be happier. No, feel happier.

Back in her room, she gathered her towel and shampoo and made her way towards the shower. Almost tripping on a pullover that was just laying on the floor.

I need to fix this, she thought.

I can fix this.

The water drizzled on her head. Making its way from the roots of her hair down towards her feet. It felt refreshing, empowering.

Mimicking a reporter, she spoke out loud "So Miss Penderwick, how do you handle quarantining alone?"

Using her brush as an imaginary microphone she answered "Bad, actually. But I have every intend to change that."

Drying off her hair, she looked in the mirror. I look okay, she argued. I should feel okay. I will feel okay.

Next, I should talk to someone. Just to get a sense of human interaction. She called her sister Skye who picked up after just one ring.

"You okay?" Jane heard her sister ask through the weird sound of her phone-speaker.

"Yea" She answered, "I guess."

"You never call" Skye accused her, "at least not until something's wrong."

"I just wanted to talk to someone" Jane admitted.

"Me too" Skye answered, her voice had softened "I'm glad you called."

"How's life for you now?"

…

Jane felt much better after the conversation. With everything being weird and different there was one thing she could count on. Her family.

I'm glad that I'll be moving back in, she thought. And finally started packing.

This is just what I need right now. Family.

And maybe I'll even get to finish all my assigments.