Katie's Night Out

It's 11pm. 20-year-old Katie Pauler lies in bed, under the covers. She stares at the ceiling. Everything is silent in her dorm room. She does have some assignments to do, but she is unable to focus on it, let alone not wanting to do it.

"I can't sleep," Katie sighed, as she looks out the night window from her bed.

What can she do? Of course, it is spring break at Daytown University, but assignments were still given to complete, and it is expected to be finished by next week Monday. However, it's Friday. All what Katie did was worked on her most important assignments and hardly went out of her dorm room (except to run errands.) Now, all what is left is just some easy assignments for her media class. All what she had to do was to watch a sample documentary of a well-known reporter and write a short essay about it. However, to Katie, she is already overwhelmed from too many assignments and can really use a break.

With nothing else to do tonight, Katie checked social media on her phone to see what is going on downtown. On Facebook, there seems to be an event going on at the downtown city area. People partying, dining, and people playing games.

"Well, what do I have to lose? I'll burn off my stress with fun!" Katie said.

She goes to her closet to pick out a pink skater dress. It had a pink flow, skirt bottom with white stripes. She even has some matching pink converse to go with her dress. Then, she picks up her pink purse, and marches out the door. She heads downstairs to the main hall and exits the building. It is unsure why she didn't use the elevator. Perhaps she couldn't wait! After all, it's spring break! There's no time to waste!

After briskly walking down what felt like a one and a half block far down the street, she finally arrived to city square. The city square had everything: high-end shops, an arcade, restaurants, and karaoke bars. What more can a college student ask for at such a lively place!

Katie looks around. Some places were highly crowded, some places were quiet with a few people attending, and some places were closed for the night. Among the places that were closed was the dress store, FlowDress, where Katie got her pink dress earlier in her spring semester.

During the winter time, when she got the dress, Katie vowed one day, when the weather starts to warm up, she will have the freedom to wear more dresses and less baggy pants and jackets. She never likes the cold. The snow may be beautiful to watch as it falls, but there is nothing worse than your legs going numb when you stand out in the freezing cold as you wait for the bus for you next class.

Thankfully, the weather is starting to warm up in the month of April (although it is still a bit chilly, but it is better than winter cold.) The dress Katie wears is perfect for this occasion, especially with cute, long knee socks to match the look.

Finally making up her mind, she agrees to go to the arcade. There are still some people trying to beat their high scores on the retro arcade machines, or jamming away to the rhythmic arcade games, or just want to sit around and observe everyone play as a whole. Katie never misses a day as she plays one of her favorite arcade games: Pac-Man. However, she is not an expert, like certain gamers are. All what she could get as her "high score" is level 4. But that is better than not advancing at all!

After several attempts, she quits for the time and moves on to StepManiax. She loves playing this arcade game, and would continue playing until her legs get tired. It didn't matter if she is not that great of a player. All she cares is that she is having fun. Especially if she is playing at a beginner level. One time, she and her classmates would go to the arcade during their free time and would jam away on StepManiax. Everyone would have a good time.

Sadly, those friends had the money to go on a vacation to a beach resort and Katie was unable to come. It does feel hard for Katie being jobless at college. Even if she did get a job, she would get completely wiped out. There is no way for Katie to be attending college and taking a part-time job at the same time, like some college students could. However, college is difficult for Katie. Her parents had to pay for college. She can also drive, but she prefers taking the bus or the train. If she had the freedom of traveling where she wants to and even having a well-paid dream job that would allow her to join fun vacations with her friends, that would be a dream come true.

Just then, as she was sitting down, Katie's phone rings. It's her classmate, Belle.

"Hey, did you finish your spreadsheet for our business class?" Belle asked.

"Yeah, I did. It was very easy. We just had to add the basic descriptions of our products, right?" Katie asked.

There was silence.

"Belle? Everything alright?" Katie asked.

"Katie!" Belle exclaimed. "There was more to the assignment! And it is due in like a half an hour!"

Oh no! Katie raced home. How did she not know there was more to the assignment?! She quickly turned on the computer and continued working on and added the important details. Thankfully, Katie was there with her helping her every step of the way. Finally, after what seemed to take several enduring minutes, Katie manages to submit her assignment with one minute to spare.

After that, she checks the clock. 12:00am.

"You know what?"Katie tells herself. "I'm calling it a night."

Katie changes into her pajamas and sleeps in for the night. She is glad she finished her work. Just hope that her friends who are on vacation were able to finish their work on time. After all, that assignment is 75% of their grade for the whole spring semester.