We’ve all been there. You meet someone on campus and suddenly you’re falling in love. Everything reminds you of them: from Milbank to John Jay, the bricks and trees seem to spell out their name. Now that we are all stuck at home with nothing to do, why not indulge in extremely specific campus daydreams that will lead nowhere and eventually break your heart? Enjoy!

About your large lecture crush whose name you probably don’t know
They sit two rows ahead, three chairs to your left. For the past five lectures, you’ve stared at the back of their head. You could pick it out from any crowd now, hair color as familiar as your own. As your professor goes on about some topic that would be interesting if you could pay attention, you wonder what it would be like if they turned around. Smile stretched across their face, a look of recognition in their eyes, all for you. And your prayers are answered as they move to face you. It’s just as beautiful as you imagined, the moment already crystallized in your memory. You smile back.

About the study buddy you are actually in love with
You’re waiting in front of Avery in the freezing cold, pacing outside the door. They told you they would be here 10 minutes ago, and they still haven’t replied to your last text. The sky is dark and it’s probably gonna rain and you know you should head inside. There are midterms to study for and assignments to finish. As the first drops of water begin to fall and you hold the cold doorknob, you hear your name. And it’s the most beautiful voice you’ve ever heard and the most beautiful person running towards you, shielding their face with their hands. “Sorry I’m late,” they say, but you don’t care. You never cared. You are both soaked, but their presence makes it all worthwhile.

About the friend who you like a bit more than a friend
They just ducked out of their room to get water for the kettle and make you tea. It feels oddly intimate to be alone with their things, sitting in their bed. You stare at the pictures (their family, friends, perhaps ex-lovers), the posters and postcards (their home, favorite places, dream destination), the knick-knacks (their books, plants, pens scattered everywhere). You feel at ease in this room they call their own. You understand them better. You know your place in the web of their life and you tell yourself you’re comfortable with it. They open the door.

About the late-summer romance you’ve always wanted
Laying on a blanket on Futter Field, you enjoy the last day of summer. You are soaking up the sun and attempting to finish your reading when a shadow obscures the pages. You squint to look up and it’s them, bringing you some fruit, lemonade, or a pastry. They sit beside you, completely comfortable with your presence. Chatting and eating, the two of you watch the sun go down until it’s too cold to be outside. They help you fold the blanket, dust off the crumbs. “Where to next?” they ask as you finish packing your things. “Anywhere you want,” you reply.

About the one who truly gets you
You are speeding down college walk, stressed and worried, head down and music all the way up. Your backpack is too heavy and you’re pretty sure something is gonna fall out before you reach the closest library, when you feel a warm hand on your shoulder. You turn and it’s them. They offer to carry your things, to walk you to your room, to help you. You tell them it’s alright, no worries, they are probably busy anyway. But they look into your eyes and you know they understand. So you let them help. You let the weight be lifted off your shoulders, you allow yourself to breathe. And they are there to breathe with you.

About your partner in crime
They are falling asleep on your shoulder on the subway, as you travel back to campus after a long day together. You just visited a new exhibition you were dying to see or watched a movie they had heard about or explored a part of New York neither of you had ever been to. It’s only 6 pm, but you catch yourself drifting to sleep in the airconditioned, semi-empty car. You glance at them, face warm against the fabric of your shirt, looking peaceful despite all the noise. And you fight the urge to run your hands through their hair as you make your way back uptown.

About your ride-or-die
At JJ’s they sit across from you, still all dressed up from the party you just left. You are both slightly tipsy, the world around you warm and glowing. They have a headache and you are hungry but you’ve never felt happier. You are sharing french fries and talking about the past when your favorite pop song begins to play. Now you’re singing to each other, laughing and dancing in your seats. And as you stop to catch your breath, they kick your leg playfully and wink at you, your heart now racing. It’s late but you feel entirely awake, adrenaline rushing through your veins.

The Lawns of Love via Bwog Archive