Wonderland

❅H22❅ Nothing Lasts Forever

Chapter Twenty-two

Heather's POV

Nothing Lasts Forever

 

November 13

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it at all.

I gaped at my computer screen, trying to gauge out whether I was dreaming or not.

There was no way I got ninety percent on my second math midterm. There was just no way.

"Gah, I knew you could do it," Isabelle enthused, throwing her arms around me, almost knocking me to the ground. "I knew it, I knew it!"

"That's impossible! I suck at math!" I said, rubbing my eyes.

"You're smarter than you think, Heather! This just proves it! You got ninety percent on your chemistry midterm, too! You're a fucking genius, Heather!"

I blushed and looked away from her. I wasn't a genius. I was far from one. But I was happy to know that my hard work finally paid off. I didn't even need to study with Brayden this time, either. This time, all the hard work was on me. I studied so hard, and it finally paid off. I could've almost cried.

"Now you just need to kill the final—which you will," Isabelle assured. "My friend is a smartass who can do anything!"

I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Isabelle."

It's weird, but I felt less prepared for this midterm than I was the last one, but for some bizarre reason, I did much better than last time. I think I figured it out now: the key to passing an exam was to stress less and work less. If I did too many, then the stress would accumulate, however, if I paced myself every day and used the last day before the test to do something relaxing, then I'd see a significant improvement to my test grade.

For the first time this week, I was genuinely happy—and it showed. When Brayden came by my dorm later this evening, he noticed a glow to my face.

"Is it really that obvious?" I said, grinning like an idiot, when he asked why I was so cheery.

"Yes. I've never seen you like this before. Your eyes are practically blinding me from how bright they are."

"That's because I passed all my midterms!" I burst. "Like I didn't think it'd ever happen, but I did, and I'm just so happy!"

"Oh my god, Heather, that's great!" he said. "See? I told you, I knew you could do it!" He held up his hand for a high five, but I surprised him—and myself—when I threw myself into his arms instead.

"Thank you for believing in me," I said.

He wrapped his arms around me before saying, "I always believe in you, Heather. I think you can do anything."

I couldn't help but smile. "So what are you doing here?"

He pulled back from me. I couldn't help but notice a mischievous look in his eyes. "On a scale of one to ten, how into hiking are you?"

Having been a nature fanatic for as long as I could remember, I obviously loved to hike. "A hundred," I replied.

"Damn."

"What? Why are you asking me this?" I shot him a weird look.

"Change into something that'll keep you warm on top of a rock mountain. I'll meet you in the lobby in ten minutes."

"Brayden, I don't get it?" Confusion was probably written all over my face.

"Just do as I say. I want to show you something," was all he said before he left me.