My hand ached as I struggled to keep up with Professor Hannigan's lecture over the seven ecological principles. Ecology was my main area of study, so keeping up in that class was crucial. But it meant more to me than a grade. Becoming an ecologist and conservationist was everything to me. I had always had a fascination with the world around me. I had become driven to understand the relationships and interdependence between living organisms and their environment.

I found that it was the relationships and interdependence between humans that I still needed help understanding.

It had been two weeks since that night at the bar when Liam punched Waldo wannabe for me. I hadn't been expecting that reaction from him, especially the anger in his eyes when he had looked at me afterwards; anger that hadn't been directed at me for once.

He had stood up for me, yet he continued to act like he hated me. We had hardly spoken since that night, only running into each other randomly on campus, but when we did, he either glared at me or flat out ignored me. I wasn't sure which was worse, or why I felt the need to seek him out despite his coldness toward me.

Like I said, I still needed help understanding that whole interdependence thing.

"You press any harder, and you're liable to go straight through the desk."

I turned to the caramel-eyed guy sitting next to me. I had seen him in the class before, but that was the first time he had sat beside me. I racked my brain trying to think of his name.

Nathan, I think!

I pulled my eyebrows forward, staring at him in confusion all the while he was peering at me in amusement. His eyebrow had darted up and his thin lips were pulled to the side. He nodded to the paper on the desk, and I looked down to see my hand clenched tightly around my pen which was digging into the paper, bleeding ink. I quickly let up off it and glanced back up at Nathan.

"Oops." I smiled sheepishly. I hadn't realized I had been pressing that hard and not paying attention. But that was what usually seemed to happen when my thoughts drifted to Liam.

"So, which principle is getting you so worked up?"

"I'm sorry?"

He chuckled, nodding toward the board where Professor Hannigan was still lecturing.

"If I had to guess, it would be the connectivity of species and their interdependence." He whispered with amusement. "That's when you went all stabby." His fist balled up as he brought it down in a stabbing motion.

I snickered, shaking my head. "I'm not usually so violent."

"Well, I suppose Ecology can do that to a person."

"Really? The study of how to co-exist with nature and its' living creatures can make a person violent?" I smirked, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled, running his hand across his neck. "Well, this would actually be the first time I've seen it, but I have a feeling you're usually the exception."

In the front, Professor Hannigan cleared her throat, eyeing us before continuing her lecture. We shared in a look before quietly snickering. He grinned at me, leaning in.

"I'm Nathan." He whispered.

"Maddie. Nice to meet you."

"You too, Maddie."

I smiled, tucking my hair behind my ear and turning back to the board to digest the rest of the lecture. The remainder of Ecology was spent with only the necessary amount of ink on my paper.

***

I threw the crinkled napkin down on the then empty pizza box and leaned back against the loveseat we had in our dorm.

"That was seriously needed."

I looked over to Savannah who had begun licking her fingers in search of leftover pizza sauce.

"The pizza?"

"The carbs." She sighed and leaned back with me. "Ever since Josh asked me to this party on Friday, I haven't been able to eat without feeling sick. I'm so nervous."

"He asked you to a party? Savannah, that's great! Why are you so nervous? You're such a beautiful and sweet person."

"I just think that sometimes that's all people see. They think I'm a blonde airhead with nothing else but looks to offer. It makes matters worse that when I'm nervous, I ramble, only adding to their assumptions."

I reached out and squeezed her hand. "Hey. That's not what I see. I see a wonderful woman who is a great friend with a big heart and a bubbly personality to match. And if Josh doesn't see that, then he's the airhead."

She smiled, squeezing my hand back. "Thanks Maddie. You're the best. And since you're the best, then you wouldn't mind doing me a favor?"

I pulled my hand back and reached for my water. "Sure, what is the favor?" I asked as I unscrewed the cap and took a sip.

"Will you come with me to the party?" I turned to look at her as I continued to drink. She lifted her hands and pressed her palms together. "Pretty please. I don't want to show up alone and this way I have a wing woman if something goes wrong."

I wiped my mouth and placed my drink back down before glancing back up at her hopeful face.

"Savannah, of course I'll be there for you. I'm surprised you think you have to beg." I chuckled as I pried her hands apart.

"Eek! Thanks! You're the best!"

"It's no problem! I should be thanking you. A party with my friend sounds super fun."

She bit her bottom lip before pulling her lips into a half smile, before she tentatively spoke. "You know, I'm glad you think that."

My eyebrows immediately pulled together in suspicion at her change in demeanor.

"Okay, what is with that look you're giving me?"

"Well, it's sort of a themed party."

"O-kayy... care to tell me what the theme is?"

"Theaferexparty." She mumbled both fast and low.

I leaned forward, my head jutting slightly out. "The what now?"

She sighed and squeezed her eyes shut as she spewed out the words yet again, that time loud and clear. "The after-sex party!"

My eyes widened in slight shock, and I tucked my lips to refrain from either laughing or screaming; I wasn't sure which of those what I wanted to do.

"The after-sex party, Savannah?" I repeated, enunciating each word slowly. "Really?" Laughter escaped, solidifying my choice.

She peered up at me, scrunching her face. "I know! It's insane. Hence, the no carbs! But its Josh's house party and he actually invited me. Me, of all people! I have to go. I mean, have you seen him!? Actually, you haven't, but he's a hottie for sure. And he's smart on top of it. So, how do I not show up to a sex themed party when he'll be surrounded by women! You know? But there's no way I can show up without you. So please say you won't change your--"

"Savannah!" I laughed, cutting her off. "I will be there."

She took a deep breath in and exhaled with a smile. "I will owe you Maddie!"

I leaned back against the couch again as I grabbed my water for another drink, allowing my decision to settle in. "So, what does one wear to an after-sex party?"

"I don't know, underwear?" She shrugged.

I choked on the water I had been sipping, covering my mouth with my hand to catch excess liquid as some of the water dribbled down my chin during my coughing fit.

Savannah was quick to back up, putting a safe space between us as her lips pulled in a rueful grin, my bewilderment not lost on her.

"Oh, you're going to owe me alright. Big time."

Oh boy! Gotta love those college themed parties, am I right? 🤭

Thanks for reading so far, I so hope you're enjoying the story! Don't be afraid to comment, I don't bite... much 😘 I'd love for you to hit that star, and I will (hopefully) see you in the next chapter!

"As you know, madness is like gravity...all it takes is a little push."