The campus bookstore was unusually quiet that Friday afternoon, a stark contrast to the commotion that had enveloped the university earlier in the week. Oliver was busy reorganizing the display of classic novels, his brow furrowed in concentration. His light brown hair was neatly styled, and his round glasses perched on his nose as he meticulously adjusted the book spines. The peaceful ambiance was a welcome reprieve from the storm brewing outside.

The bell above the door jingled, and Finn burst in, his bright green eyes scanning the room. His energetic presence filled the space as he waved at Oliver with a stack of flyers in hand.

“Hey, Ollie!” Finn called out, his casual attire—a bright blue hoodie and jeans—mirroring his lively demeanor. “Heard about the big event at the showcase. How’s the planning going?”

Oliver looked up, his hazel eyes showing a mix of irritation and weariness. “It’s been a rough few days. I’m still trying to get everything sorted out after the chaos at the festival.”

Finn’s grin faded slightly. “I know things got heated. The performance and your reading didn’t exactly go as planned, huh?”

“Understatement of the year,” Oliver muttered, adjusting a stack of books. “The music was blaring right when I was about to start. It completely threw off my reading. It was a mess.”

Just then, the door opened again, and Adrian walked in, his dark brown hair neatly cut and his serious expression softened by a friendly smile. He was dressed in his usual dark hoodie and jeans, embodying his pragmatic approach to life.

“Hey, Oliver,” Adrian greeted, his deep brown eyes reflecting his concern. “How’s the bookstore today?”

“Quiet, thankfully,” Oliver replied. “But it’s been a rough week. Finn was just mentioning the showcase. I still can’t believe how things turned out.”

Adrian nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, it was quite a scene. I heard the performance was really something.”

“Yeah,” Oliver said, rubbing his temples. “And I’m sure the disruption didn’t help. Now everyone’s talking about it. It feels like it’s become more about the drama than the actual event.”

At that moment, Theo entered, his light brown hair sticking out in various directions. He was carrying a gadget that beeped erratically, his green eyes sparkling with the thrill of his latest invention.

“Hey, Oliver, Adrian!” Theo said, his voice full of enthusiasm. “Look at this new device I’ve been working on. It’s supposed to help with organizing events, but it seems like it’s got a mind of its own.”

Oliver and Adrian exchanged amused glances as Theo fiddled with the gadget, which emitted a series of beeps and flashing lights.

“Uh, Theo,” Oliver said, trying not to laugh, “I think it needs a little more fine-tuning.”

Theo’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he quickly shrugged it off. “Yeah, it’s still a work in progress. Anyway, Finn mentioned the showcase. I thought I’d bring this along to help with the planning.”

“I’m sure it’ll come in handy,” Oliver said. “We could use all the help we can get after the mix-up we had.”

Finn’s cheerful demeanor returned as he looked at the group. “Alright, everyone. Let’s meet in the student lounge and go over the details. We need to get this sorted before the next big event.”

As they made their way to the student lounge, Oliver couldn’t shake the frustration he felt about the ongoing conflict. The clash at the festival had left him feeling more than just irritated—it had cast a shadow over what should have been an exciting time.

In the lounge, Finn took charge, spreading out papers and event flyers. “So, here’s the plan. We need to smooth things over and make sure the showcase runs without a hitch. Let’s make sure everyone’s on the same page.”

As they discussed the event, Oliver couldn’t help but reflect on the tension he’d experienced. The rivalry had taken on a life of its own, becoming a spectacle that overshadowed their actual talents. The thought of resolving the conflict made him anxious, but he knew they had no choice.

Finn, ever the mediator, gave Oliver a reassuring look. “We’ll sort this out, Ollie. We’re all in this together. Let’s focus on making the showcase a success.”

Oliver nodded, appreciating Finn’s support. As they continued to plan, the conversation shifted to logistics and creative ideas, allowing Oliver to momentarily forget the lingering resentment. But deep down, he knew that resolving the conflict was inevitable. For now, though, he focused on the task at hand, hoping that the showcase could be a fresh start for everyone involved.