12 Summer of stability

I never really understood what a "student town" was until summer came along. I was one of the lucky few who got a job and I was able to stay in my student apartment on campus with my girlfriend thanks to it. It was just a part-time work-from-home gig for the summer. We had more than enough free time together to do what we wanted.



I'll never forget how quiet campus was when the college year was over. There were no queues anywhere, no smokers clogging up the doorways, no idiots throwing balls around, no posters advertising nightclubs or political opinions, it was just chill. The only people there were faculty holding down the fort and we got to know them on first name terms, saying hi everyday in passing.

Probably the most shocking thing was that everything was cheaper. Rent and other bills were much cheaper. Going to the cinema was cheaper, but that was because we now had time to go to matinées. Of course, sitting under the shade of a tree was still free, and much less in demand now that campus was empty. We spent many lazy afternoons just lying in each other's arms under a tree, chatting, napping, snacking, just enjoying each other's company.

The only time we saw crowds were when the summer blockbusters were on in the cinema or when open air concerts were on. Going to the cinema and laughing along with the crowd was always fun, but we never went to concerts. We didn't need to. Our apartment was high up and overlooked the venue where bands always played. We'd often sit out on the balcony with ordered pizza and a cold dessert, just checking out the bands, the crowds, the fun. If it got chilly we wrapped ourselves up in a blanket and snuggled together. Comfortable and happy.