25. Exam Prep

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I looked out the window and sighed. It was raining cats and dogs with the occasional thunder and lightning. The gloomy weather made the day feel like it would trudge on slowly. Astronomy being my first class of the day only made me tired and in need of a nap.

"Have you finished the study guide?" Bella interrupted my thoughts.

I looked down at my notebook which was filled with scribbles and doodles. It was the week before fall break, so all the teachers were making us work on the study guides for the exam we were to take after we come back from break. It was hell; a week and a half of pure exams and then we go on winter break for a month.

It made no sense if you asked me. If it were my choice, I'd make exams the week before fall break and give us a much needed long break.

"Just need to answer and read over the last chapter questions."

Bella looked up from her book and narrowed her eyes. "What's your grade currently? You slacked off way too many times this semester."

I leaned back in my chair and folded my arms. "You sound like my dad Bella." I paused. "It's an 89% but I'll make sure it goes to an A after this final exam."

Bella glared at me. "It would've been higher if you did the readings."

I shrugged and sat up. "I tried but being forced to read just doesn't really click with me."

"Hmm, how are things going with Axel?" Bella asked.

"Not much progress there. He acts like he's always acted." I picked at my nails and frowned. There was a roadblock between me and Axel's relationship and I wasn't sure what to do next.

"Maybe because you've been hanging out with Niko quite a bit." Bella shook her head in disappointment. "You know ever since Halloween there's been something there that I can't quite put a finger on. The air shifted."

"The air shifted? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I looked at her like she was crazy.

Truth was I never told anyone what Niko said. I didn't want to make a big deal out of it but it was hard keeping a secret. As the days went by, I would first avoid him but then he cornered me and questioned me. Luckily, he didn't get the truth out of me and I used the excuse of exams coming up, I was just stressed out.

"I can't really explain it, you've been acting different. Maybe the guys haven't noticed but I did."

I flipped to a random page in my textbook and pretended to look it over. "Bella, you're starting to imagine things. Should I be worried?"

Bella went back to writing things down in her notebook and changed the subject. "There's something I forgot to mention."

I didn't look up and started flipping through the textbook. "Hmm?"

"Before I tell you, don't get mad and be dramatic about it."

I rolled my eyes. "Just say it Bella, you're probably being dramatic right now thinking its something much worse than it actually is."

"It's a funny story actually." She paused. "Last week I was at the library with Axel, I was helping him with physics. You know how exams are coming up, well the library was full. Luckily Axel and I got a study room before they were all gone."

I gave her a look, so she'd get to the point sooner.

"Charity was looking for an empty seat, so I invited her to study with us. Axel and her still weren't talking so I used the bathroom excuse and left the two alone so they could mend whatever they needed to fix. Long story short, Charity will be present at Friendsgiving."

I looked at her surprised. "Bella! How is this something you forgot to mention? It's been almost a week!"

She avoided eye contact and played with her pencil.

"I can't believe you invited her to our Friendsgiving. We haven't even known her that long," I continued. I disliked the fact that Bella was too good of a person and didn't just leave Axel and Charity to never talk again.

Bella smiled sheepishly. "Funny thing is that I didn't invite her, Axel invited her. When I went back into the room, he said that we wouldn't mind her joining us since she wasn't going back home and was planning to just stay in her dorm."

I groaned and leaned forward so my hair would cover my face. A part of me was sad that Axel had invited Charity without asking me or any of the friend group first. But there was another part of me that reasoned that he only did it because he felt bad she would spend break alone.

"You're not mad?" Bella asked as she patted my arm.

I shrugged her off and sighed, not giving her a response. Right on cue the bell rang signaling the end of class. I hurriedly packed all my things and got my umbrella ready.

"Mari," Bella called out. "I told you not to be dramatic about it."

I turned to smile at her. "Shut up, I'll see you during lunch alright."

With that, I practically ran to the next building where my calc class was always held. I shook off the water and sat next in my seat next to Vince.

He was working on a few related rate problems.

"Ready for the exam?" he asked.

I let out a dry laugh. "You know damn well I'm not. I can't believe it's cumulative."

I pulled out my notebook and pencils. "By the way Vince, why didn't you tell me Charity would be at our Friendsgiving dinner." I turned to look at him.

He frowned and looked at me confused. "Who told you that lie?"

I was a little surprised that Bella didn't tell Vince. "Bella didn't tell you?"

He shook his head; he looked a little sad. "Axel invited Charity last week."

"I thought they weren't talking anymore."

I sat down and folded my arms. "That's what I thought too."

Vince sighed and went back to doing his work. "Guess I'll just pretend I don't know until Bells tells me."

I patted his back; I didn't like the sadness in his tone. "She probably forgot to mention it, she does have a lot on her plate."

"I guess," he didn't sound too convinced.

-

I sat on a couch that faced the giant window that overlooked the courtyard. I quietly ate the snack I had left over from "breakfast." The views from the third floor in the library never failed to look mesmerizing.

It was still raining outside but not as bad. I crossed my legs and leaned back on the cool leather couch.

I texted my friends earlier letting them know I would be finishing some reading for my mythology class and to not look for me. The truth was I didn't want Charity and Axel talking if by chance she did sit at our table again.

I felt a presence next to me after a while of being in my thoughts, I didn't want to look up.

"Took me a while to find you," Niko said as he took a seat next to me.

Like the past couple of weeks, I could feel my face heat up. I wanted to say I wasn't moved by his drunken words, and I chose not to believe them but some part of me was affected by them.

The mountains could be seen in the haze. It reminded me of Lillian, her university had the best views.

"I'm sorry Mari," Niko said after being silent for a couple of minutes.

"Sorry for what?" My heart rate sped up. Did he remember what he told me?

From the corner of my eye, I could see him lean back a bit. He was staring out the window, he looked lost in thought.

"Your dance competition."

I was a bit confused about why he was suddenly bringing that up.

"Niko, that happened a while back. I forgave you and since then you've made it up to me."

He turned to look at me, but I still avoided his gaze.

"It's one of my biggest regrets. I should've gone against my dad," Niko said visibly upset.

"Niko, it's fine."

"Maybe things would be different right now," he said frowning.

I finally turned to look at him.

"Maybe you would still be dancing and being in the spotlight."

I sat up. "I'm still dancing Niko, I didn't quit. I won't be on the stage and that's okay. I had to give it up at some point. My parents wanted me to quit years ago, it was time I finally listened to them."

He looked at me. His face was a mixture of emotions.

He turned to look at the window and leaned back.

It was probably a mistake in the making but I reached out and took ahold of his hand. He looked at me, I gave him a reassuring squeeze and smiled.

"Did you eat before coming here?" I asked.

"No."

I smacked his arm and threw my last bag of goldfish.

"This won't make you feel full but it's better than nothing."

"Thanks," he muttered.

We made small talk for the rest of our lunch period. It felt nice and for a moment I forgot about exam prep and my grades but soon I'd have to go back and face that reality.  

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