Daytona Baby [N.H]

1

Olivia Campbell

4:03 pm.

I sat in psychology class listening to my professor drone on when I should be halfway across campus already. My fingers tapped quickly on my desk and my leg bounced restlessly, hoping that any second he would just shut the fuck up and dismiss us.

I have things to do and people to see.

I glanced at the analog clock above the whiteboard again: 4:06. I'm technically on summer break as of six minutes ago. Every syllable that fell slowly from my professors mouth just made me more and more agitated. Can't he refrain from wasting my time for just one day?

Standing from my chair abruptly, my professor paused to address me. "Miss Campbell, I haven't dismissed the class yet, please have a seat for just another minute." I was already shoving my textbook into my bag and heading for the door.

"I pay for this class from 1 to 4 and it is now—" I check the clock one last time. "—4:08 and I got shit to do." I turn towards the door again, hearing a few snickers from the other students.

"Excuse me, Miss Campbell, but—" he started to protest again.

"Don't care, text it to me!" I called from the hallway without looking back.

Bursting through the doors at the end of the hall I started running in the direction of my dorm. Normally when I'm not in a hurry it takes me at least ten minutes to walk across campus. Now I have to make it in five.

My lungs were burning by the time I made it to the parking lot. And I was sure I could feel a blister on my heel from my shoes that were not made for long distance sprints.

"Olivia!" I heard someone shout my name. I quickly scanned the lot, doing a double take when I found who I was looking for. I barely recognized him; his hair was a bit longer and less tame than the last time I saw him. Despite the pain in my heel I hurried towards him.

"Liam!" I pulled him in for a quick hug before he leaned back against his car, mirroring his relaxed personality, and lit up a smoke. "Sorry I'm a bit late," I started to explain.

"Yeah, you'd better be." He cut in with a playful smirk I knew all too well.

"Shut up," I lightly pushed his chest, muscles prominent through his fitted t-shirt. "How've you been, anyways? I haven't seen you in so long." I watched his lips as he drew in a lungful of smoke, holding it in for a few seconds before tilting his head back and blowing it out. Girls would kill to be that cigarette. Lucky for me, I could have a taste whenever I want.

"Yeah, it's been a while, eh? Shit's been the same for me. I'm good but you know how it goes." I nodded, not put off by his vague answer. After knowing Liam since we were kids I've come to learn that he is a man of few words. Until he's got alcohol pumping through his blood, anyways.

"You got a show tonight?" I asked.

He nodded slowly, taking another drag. "You should come." His brown eyes that were normally warm and inviting seemed dull. He was tired, I could tell. Mentally exhausted rather than physically, although I'm sure it was a bit of both.

"Can't. I finally have a meeting about that internship I was telling you about." I took the cigarette from his fingers, sucking hard on the filter one last time before flicking it away, feeling his eyes on me the whole time.

Liam stood up straighter, just a couple inches from me as he slid his hands over my hips. "Reschedule. Come hang out backstage..." His sentence trailed off and I knew what he was insinuating. His grip became urgent.