mason-50370057
mason-50370057 @mason-50370057

As I stood in my cramped dorm room, clutching my worn-out backpack and staring at the pile of textbooks that seemed to be multiplying before my very eyes, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. I had just finished my freshman year of college, and the thought of returning for another grueling semester was daunting to say the least. My parents had always encouraged me to pursue higher education, but little did they know that it would be an uphill battle for me.

Despite my best efforts, I struggled to keep up with my coursework, often finding myself scrambling at the last minute to finish assignments and study for exams. It wasn't just academics, though - social pressures also weighed heavily on my mind. As a petite blonde girl from a small town in the Midwest, I felt like an outsider among my classmates. They seemed to effortlessly navigate their social lives, attending parties and dating with ease, while I stuck to my books and online gaming communities.

But even as I worried about my place in the world, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing from my life. It wasn't until I stumbled upon an invitation for a campus-wide game night - one that promised "cosplay, food, and friendly competition" - that I felt a spark of excitement reignite within me. Maybe this was exactly what I needed: a chance to step out of my shell, be myself (or at least, the person I wanted to be), and find a sense of belonging