You hid behind silence, but your heart called to me,
In your quiet strength, I found a love that set me free.
Later that evening, Paxton found himself zoning out, his gaze drifting to abstract objects. Despite trying to distract himself, he ended up overthinking about his discussion with Amy, to say he wasnt confused would be an understatement.
"Stay away from Joanne, she aint a very nice person to be friends with"
"But she seemed quiet generous to me
"But she isnt a very ideal friend Pax"
Paxton was trapped in a vicious circle of Amy's criticism and his observation about Joanne.
According to Paxton, Joanne was an introverted and studious, who struggles with socializing at Brighton University. She was someone who prefers quiet corners and sketchbooks over bustling parties and crowded quads. She joins the university's cultural committee to step out of her comfort zone.
The dawn of 2nd september bought a new excitement and opportunities for Paxton, excitement about working on the committee responsibilities with Joanne and opportunity to get to know her some more. Her mysterious aura had piquped his interest easily.
Paxton's phone beeped, drawing his attention.. "It surely must be ManiacOords" He assumed even before unlocking his phone, ManiacOords, could be called the unofficial telegram group consisting of all the sophomore members opting for the position of Assitant Cultural Coordinators. Joanne was the one who came up with the group name.
The group consisted of member having different characteristics each.
Amber: The Perfectionist.
Fabian: The Joker,
Freya: The Straightforward one.
Hayden: The Organizer.
Joanne: The Creative one.
Julian: The Taskmaster,
Paxton: The Popular guy.
Piper: The Optimist.
Asher: The Free Spirit.
Heather: The Empath.
ManiacOords |
Amber, Fabian, Freya, Hayden, Joanne, Julian, Paxton, Piper, Asher, Heather.
Amber-Good Morning bishes! See yoll at the West Gardens as we planned.
Rheya Morning dummy! Yup on my way there.
Hayden - Running late, missed the bus might take a while.
Joanne - Same!! The next bus in around 15 mins away from my stop.
Hayden: Wait are we at the same bus stop?? Dang yes!! Spotted you Anne.
Everyone there was quite welcoming and pretty much help Joanne to open up, she struggled a bit, after all talking to people was new for her. Joanne was kind of a textrovert. The telegram group helped her open up!! The group was meeting today to sketch out a blue print for the task given to them by their seniors.
Joanne and Hayden reached the West Gardens late as said to find the others already waiting for them
"Damn yall the traffic was insane" Hayden complained even before taking a seat.
"And the driver, that dude was so damn arrogant! Dumbass Joanne huffed making the others chuckle at her sulking self.
Paxton passed Hayden and Joanne a cup of iced latte each, hope this helps" He said before going back to sipping the iced mocha he bought for himself from the cafeteria.
After making sure everyone was well settled and comfortable Piper storted talking "Guys we have tons of works to deal with, the work is divided in five sections and we are ten to me thinks we can make groups of two and divide the work. We can give each other the follow ups time to time. Only if yall agree."
Impressed with the idea suggested by Piper everyone was quick to nod in agreement.
"Dangl Piper good to know you can use you brain as well" Heather commented, making everyone lough.
"Shut up" Piper sulked.
"Ok so what are the first sections? Freya asked ready to note things down.
"Do i start with everything like pre events, during events, post event responsibilities or should we focus on the pre event responsibilities first?" Fabian questioned opening the cell to go through the list sent on the official telegram group by their seniors.
"I think focusing on the pre event things would be good for now Paxton suggested.
"Okays then pre event responsibilities it is Julian confirmed.
"Arhm" Fabian cleared her throat before beginning to list down the things, "Okay so the five sections under pre event responsibilities are:
- Maintaining the data of people participating in the event.
- Scheduling the programme and meetings.
- Accountability of the other sections.
- Preparing the forms and excels regarding participation.
- Budgetting."
"What the freak! It feels like we are the only idiots working!" Heather gasped.
"Its okay girliel! We will be dividing it anyways Hayden said shrugging seemingly least concerned about the workload.
"But I thought we all could hangout together and have fun!! Getting stuck in this workload wasnt on my list" Amber said pouting.
"Its okay I promise we will moke out time for fun as well" Joanne promised enthusiastically.
"Guys! Guys work distribution!!" Paxton said reminding everyone about the main topic of discussion.
"Oh yes that! How about we prepare chits for and select one each! Couse i dont think we all have any special knowledge about this works" Freya suggested already preparing the two chits for each work.
"Okay so lets go" Amber said tossing the chits for everyone to pick of one each.
Everyone spontaneously selected one chit excited to know which work they will be focusing on. Paxton opened his chit "Budgetting on me guys"
"Maintaining the data of people participating in the event Amber chimed.
"With Amber" Fabian said giving him a highfi.
"Scheduling the programme and meetings it is" Freya and Heather said in unison.
"Accountability of the other sections, me and who??" Asher asked.
"That's mel" Julian cheered.
"Lol, bugettting on me guys" Joanne chuckled.
"Preparing the forms and excels regarding participation? Damn i hate excel" Hayden yelled in shock.
"It okay honey ill take up the excel port you can prepare the forms" Piper said in a flirty tone followed by a wink looking at Hayden.
"Eww bruh! The feeling isnt mutual get lost! Such a creep!! Am unsafe with this guy yall" Hayden joked.
As the days went by, the ManiacOords were never seen apart. Whether it was. the vibrant campus halls or the quiet corners of the library, they were always spotted together-working on their respective activities, bouncing ideas off each other, or simply hanging out. There was a perfect rhythm to their days: serious planning sessions followed by bursts of laughter, sometimes as spontaneous as they were ridiculous. Every conversation seemed to flow effortlessly, filled with inside jokes and playful banter. And even when the day. ended, the ManiacOords telegram group was never quiet-blowing up with messages, memes, and the occasional "Did anyone get my coffee order right today?"
For Joanne, it was a revelation. She'd spent so long in the background, keeping her thoughts to herself, that she'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have people who genuinely cared and shared her sense of humor. But with the ManiacOords, everything felt different. She was no longer the quiet girl who blended into the walls; she was part of something. Every meme shared in the group was like a little thread weaving her tighter into the fabric of the group. Every "good morning message made her feel seen. No longer was she just Joanne Overton, the quiet girl from the back of the class. She was part of something bigger, something vibrant, something real
"Did you guys seriously just create a whole meme about my caffeine addiction? Joanne typed, her fingers dancing over the phone's keyboard, a teasing smile tugging at her lips as she watched the replies flood in. 'Because I'm NOT addicted to coffee, I'm just... strongly connected to it."
"Strongly connected, right, came the reply from Paxton, followed by a string of laughing emojis. "It's okay, Joanne, we all have our vices. Yours just happens to be every coffee shop in town."
They were always like this-lighthearted, comfortable, like a puzzle piece clicking into place. The group, with all its different personalities, had somehow come together perfectly. Joanne was slowly starting to see herself as a part of something she could genuinely call her own.
And it wasn't just the work that bound them together. It was the impromptu lunch breaks, the late-night study sessions, and the spontaneous outings to grab snacks after long meetings. They had built something that felt like family, and for the first time in a long while, Joanne felt like she belonged. Each member of the ManiacOords had found their place in the group, but more importantly, they had found a space in each other's lives.
From hilarious group chats to those moments when they were all just sitting in silence, enjoying each other's company, Joanne realized she had found a group of friends who would be there, not just for the deadlines and events, but for the real moments too. And that, she thought, was the greatest gift of all..
Paxton and Joanne's bond was blossoming slowly, like a flower in the spring-timid at first, then unfolding petal by petal. It all began with the budgeting responsibility they were given by the seniors. While everyone else grumbled about spreadsheets and numbers, Paxton found a strange joy in making the dry task fun, especially with Joanne by his side. "Okay, Joanne, we've got this. If we make the 'Decoration Budget' any bigger, we might need to start a GoFundMe," Paxton joked, leaning over to her desk with a teasing grin. Joanne rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped her lips. "Maybe we should add a 'Paxton's coffee addiction' fund too," she quipped, making Paxton burst into laughter continued with a "Says the addict herself.
Their constant chatting about everything from budgeting to random life updates became a daily accurrence. They would message each other during the day, even about the most mundane things. "What's the condition like over there? Gonna need a coffee to survive this spreadsheet," Paxton would text her, to which she'd reply, "Some here. But the real question is, do I need coffee before or after cry over these numbers?" It was this playful back-and-forth that slowly built a bridge between them-one that grew stronger each time they shared a lough over things no one else would understand.
As they worked side by side, organizing budgets and finalizing event costs, they began to spot each other more and more oround campus. Whether it was in the library working on an assignment or in the quad during breaks, Paxton and Joanne's presence had become synonymous. They would sit together, exchanging looks whenever someone mentioned budgeting or event.
planning because they knees one else had been in the trenches with them like they had
One day, as they were finishing up their work, Joanne sighed dramatically "You know, Paxton, (think we've spent more time on this budget than I've spent with my entire family this week" Paxton loughed, glancing of her with a teasing smirk. Well, lucky for you, I'm better company than your family. At least I don't make you watch Game of Thrones ret on loop"
"True" Joonne replied, "but I'm pretty sure you're just distracting me so you don't have to finish these spreadsheets"
"Hey, someone's got to keep it fun around here, right?" Paxton shot back, winking at her.
And with that. clear what started avalved into a friendship marked by laughter, inside jokes, and a growing sense of comfort in each other's compony, No longer just two people checking off bakes on a to-do list, they had become a team. A team that worked seamlessly together, and perhops more importantly, enjoyed it. Even when Paxton was buried in paperwork and Joanne was overwhelmed with details, they always knew they hod each other to turn to for a lough, a distraction, or simply a bit of moral support. support. Their Their band band was was blooming blooming into into something something more more so som omething deeper, still full of that lightheartedness that made it all feel easy
Despite the undeniable blossoming between Paxton and Joanne, not everyone was as thrilled about their growing friendship, Amy, Poxton's best friend since childhood, felt a subtia but persistent unease every time she saw them together She was used to being his constant, the one who knew him inside and out. unsettling having someon up that space well
She noticed how easily Paxton laughed with Joanne, how their conversations seemed to flow effortlessly, and how often they were spotted together. Wheth was during lunch breaks, late-night v sessions, or even just possing by the quad, wheel between them. made Amy feel like a third
One fine day the Maniacords decided to crash at the auditorium during their lunch break oblivious to the dance practice on going there. Amy who was busy teaching the members the steps for their dance, frowned as soon as she saw Joanne entering the auditorium. They sat down on the lost seats of the auditorium pulling out their lunches watching the Performance department kids practice their choreographies, Joanne tilted her head, her brow furrowing as she watched the dancers move. nove. The The beat beat was was there there, but but something something was off She hesitated, then spoke up "Um... Amy, I think the step right before t chorus off-beat. It's not syncing with the music Joanne soid her voice polite yet firm.
As Joanne corrected yet onother step, Amy's jow tightened. There she goes
again The faint nods of approval from others only mode orse, Perfect Joanne Miss Con't-Do-Anything-Wrong Amy crossed her arms, barely listening as the group murmured in agreement. Her eyes stayed fixed on Joonne-colm, collected, always rea always ready with the right words. It was infurloting Why does she always have in charge? Amy thought
Amy Freezes mid-step and turns to Joanne with a shorp look Excuse me? Off-beot7
Joanne nods cautiously and the continues "Yeoh, the way the transition hoppens it feels like the dancers are cotching the beat half o second late. Maybe you could adjust the steps slightly to match the rhythm better?"
Amy crossed her arms, an incredulous smile playing on her her lips when she said
"Oh, I'm sorry, did you just say my choreography is off-beat?"
"I'm just saying it could use a little tweak. The beat's pretty clear in the song Joanne said maintaining a colm demonor which was exactly opposite to Amy's furious one
Amy decided to cut Joonne's sentence her voice even sharper than before "Oh, I see. You're an expert now? Let me guess you've been secretly running the Dance Department all along, haven't you? I had no idea I was in the presence of Brighton's next great choreographer."
By this point, Joonne storted growing defensive but stoying composed dorit need to be an expert to hear when something's not right, Amy. It's not o personal attack just thought fixing it would make the routine look cleaner"
Amy loughed mockingly whäe soying "Clean? Honey, I've been choreographing routines since before you knew how to spell rhythm. My steps aren't the problem it's probably the music cue or your precious little timing chart that's messing everyone up
Joanne stepped forward no longer holding herself back "No, It's not the music. I checked it three three times e issue's in the steps, and everyone con see it except you because you're too busy playing Queen Amy to feedback." constructive
Amy smiled tightly, her voice dropping dongerously low when she said "You know Joanne, you should stick to scribbling in your little sketchbook and playing with spreadsheets. This isn't your lane. Dance is my territory"
Joanne raised eyebrow while tolking back to Amy "Then act like it, Amy. A good choreographer adjusts, and doesn't throw a tantrum when someone points out a flow. But if your ego's too big for that, go ahead keep steps don't blame when the audience sees it too."
Joanne's reply easily flustered Amy who still continued to argus, You know what, Joanne? if you're so confident, why don't you come up here and show us all how it's done? Oh walt-you can't con you?
Joanne smirised slightly while saying don't need to. I already did my job-pointed out the problem, It's on you now Dance Head"
Amy glored ot Joanne, her eyes norrowed, "You better watch yourself, Joanne You're punching way above your weight here."
Joanne shrugged totolly unbothered by Amy, And you better listen, Amy, Or you're going to drog your entire teom down with you. But hey, what do I know? I'm just the girl with the spreadsheets, right?"
The auditorium hall folls silent as Amy and Joanne face off, tension crackling. in the air
"You think you're better than Joanne? Walking in here, acting like you know than me, Joa everything?" Amy spot sarcastically "I'm just pointing out the truth, Amy The choreography's off-beat, and you're
too stubborn to fix it." Joanne answered calm yet firm. Amy roised her voice furious, "You're pathetic Paxton's pity doesn't make you
special "This len't obout Paxton. You can't stand someone calling you out. It's sod.
really Joanne said unbothered.
"Shut your mouth Amy snopped
"What's wrong? Con't handle the truth?" Joanne asked her voice ice cold. Amy lashed out, slopping Joanne sharply across the face, the sound echoing in the room
"You just proved my paint, Amy. Congratulations." Joanne spot bitterly
Joanne stormed out, her stinging-not just from the siap, but from the weight of Amy's words. Behind her, slience stretched uncomfortably. No one knew what to say.