College football star Bronx Miller and pre-med major Olivia McCausland are paired as anatomy lab partners, and throughout the rocky semester the two become closer than they ever could have imagined.
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Bronx Miller is the hotshot college quarterbac...
The next day, guilt still settles deep in the pit of my stomach, eating away at me like acid after my little gym mess-up. Ashamed and mortified, I refuse to leave my room in fear of facing Olivia.
I purposefully skip anatomy lecture to avoid her and those in the class that witnessed my outburst in our lab section. I could care less that anyone else witnessed it, but her...
I could tell that I startled her with my behavior. How could she not be startled when I completely blew up out of nowhere? Then the hurt on her face when I jerked my arm away from her and stormed out like a child kills me inside, thinking back on it now. And the whole gym mishap...
God, I'm such an idiot.
I know my actions were just the hormones and pent up sexual frustration talking, but I never should have let it go that far. I was angry and needed a release that the gym couldn't give me, and Kenzie was the first thing that stumbled into my path that I thought would help me. It was stupid and impulsive, and three months ago I would have followed through with it, but then Olivia kept popping into my head and I just couldn't.
Letting out a groan, I roll over on my uncomfortable dorm mattress, onto my back, and stare up at the popcorn ceiling, thinking.
What the hell is wrong with me? It's not out of the ordinary for me to skip class, but to skip class in order to avoid a girl because I'm embarrassed is so out of character. Normally, I wouldn't bat an eye or give a single fuck if I hurt someone's feelings, and I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to avoid a girl—especially one I like.
What the hell are you doing to me, Finch?
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Friday, I sit at my old wooden desk in English, anxiously toying with the stupid little teddy bear holding a heart in its paws that reads 'I'm Sorry' in my hands.
Last night, I decided it was time to face the music and actually go to class today to see Olivia. Somewhere in my dysfunctional brain, I thought it would be a good idea to show up bearing gifts along with my apology, which lead to a midnight CVS run where I picked up the teddy bear to try to win her over. Thinking about it now, it seems so stupid.
A teddy bear, Bronx, really? How lame can you be? I scold myself. You seriously think a stupid little bear is going to show her you're sorry?
Feeling stupid and pathetic, I rise from my chair, ready to throw the cheesy stuffed animal in the trash, when suddenly a soft laugh floating in from the hallway stops me in my tracks. I look up to see Olivia walking towards the classroom, animatedly talking with another girl. She looks into the classroom and catches my gaze, her features smoothing over. She stops at the door, saying goodbye to whoever she was talking to, and hesitates there for a moment, eyes uncertainly locking with mine.
Teddy bear in hand, I slowly sink back into my seat, heart racing.
Olivia nervously tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, taking in a deep breath before cautiously walking over to her seat. It's then I notice that she has my hoodie I let her have after homecoming draped over her forearm, her opposite hand anxiously clinging to some of the fabric, making my heart drop.
