Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Eleven

So damn cold! Everytime I need to walk somewhere, it always has to be absolutely frigid outside. I'm on my way to the library, to actually study this time. I have an American lit test Tuesday, and need to finish In Cold Blood plus study for it. Yeah, I was supposed to have the book done by now. With the stupid Michael drama last night, and the fact I like to put off studying until the very last possible second, I haven't been able to get it done.

"You know you could hold up!" I hear from behind me. I turn around and see Wade running to catch up with me.

"Hey you! Where you going?" I ask.

Wade slips, almost falling on his ass, but recovers. I start laughing. Seeing someone fall, or almost fall, is hysterical! He scoops me up and hugs me. Wow, he always smells amazing.

I love Wade.

"Wherever you are, Baby! I'm assuming the library, based on your backpack and it being 2:00 on Saturday. Plus I might've just stopped by your room and talked to Laney." He says, grinning.

"Yeah. I have to finish In Cold Blood. We have a test over it Tuesday and I was supposed to have it done already. I really need to study, and would LOVE for you to hang out with me. Do you have stuff to work on?"

Wade puts me down and we continue our trek through the snow.

"Yeah, I can work on bio. You have the lab notes from Kyle?"

"I do, I just don't wanna study them. Have I told you how much I hate biology?"

"Probably a couple hundred times." He says, laughing. "So you going to see Lickit tonight with Jax?"

"Yeah. I'm absolutely freaking!"

"Nah, I bet you won't even have to talk to him. They'll be busy playing."

"Oh! I forgot to tell you about last night at work! So I was talking to Leo, this guy I work with, and called him an asshole just as I turned to leave, SMASHING RIGHT INTO FUCKING MICHAEL!" I say, just as we get on the Oval.

"Awesome! What'd he do?"

"Well, of course he thought I was talking to him. He said he wished he could just have 24 hours where he wasn't running into me. So much for that with us going to see them tonight! He's gonna think I'm stalking him."

Wade is laughing as we walk across the Oval towards the library.

"Thanks, Wade. Really nice!"

"Listen, you're with Jax. We all know you won't break up with him, and you're not a cheater, so really what's the problem?"

Wade's right. Why am I so freaked out about this? If I see him, I'll ignore him. Act like I couldn't care less. I mean that's what he wants anyway, me to leave him alone.

"You're right! I'm not gonna stress about it anymore. Jax and me are together. Solid. So what if I have a slight crush on Michael. There's no REAL feelings there. I'm not cheating!"

"Of course you're not cheating Star. Just relax about Michael. He's probably got a girlfriend anyway."

Yeah. Probably.

Wade and I walk up the steps to the library. He opens the door for me and we make our way to Berry Cafe to get coffee. We're on our way to the back, to a study area on the fourth floor. It's our favorite place to study. Big leather chairs, soft lighting. Not that fluorescent crap down on the lower levels. Fluorescent lights give me a headache.

On the way up I see Ronnie trolling the stacks. Creepy.

Wade and I stay at the library for a couple of hours. I finish my book and answer all the study questions about it. This test should be easy enough. We both stand up, stretching.

Time for food.

"So Star, if I asked out Laney, would that bother you?" Wade asks, as he packs up his bookbag.

What? Where did this come from? Wade with Laney. This should NOT bother me at all. I have Jax. What is my deal anyway?! I have too many boyfriends who aren't my actual boyfriend, and I feel the need to keep them all close. Like some kind of possible future boyfriend hoarder.

"Ask her out! Wade, she'd totally say yes, plus maybe she'd stop seeing...um, this guy she's been seeing." I probably shouldn't advertise Laney's doing a professor.

"The English prof, Max." Wade says.

"Oh, I told you that?" I say.

We start down the steps.

"Yeah, last night, but it was after about eight Loopy shots, so...." He says laughing.

"You like her? Laney?"

"Always have, actually, but I always liked you more. Guess that's not happening anytime soon. Even if you kick Jax to the curb, looks like Michael's next in line for your heart."

Ugh! Wade, you're killing me!

"Yeah, well, thanks for that. You know one of these days, when I finally pull my head out of my ass, you'll have found your perfect girl. Then it'll be too late for me, and that'll be my loss, Wade." I say, hooking my arm through his.

"Well, Star, if that happens, it'll be me who missed out." He says, looking at me and smiling.