AU: This is a mandatory partner project and since everybody else is taken I have to have you as my partner
Riker slumped against his desk chair and sighed deeply. He didn't think it was fair that he, the best student of their entire grade, should be paired with, well one of the worst. He usually stayed away from girls like Allison, or rather, girls like Allison stayed away from him. Either way, he was so ready for this partner project to be over.
A bracelet stacked wrist laid a hand on Riker's desk, and soon enough Allison was perched cross-legged staring at him. "So, when do you want start this thing?"
Riker knew his mouth was gaped open at her sudden arrival, but for whatever reason, couldn't find the strength to close it again. "I, uh, um." He felt Allison raise her eyebrows at him, waiting for his response. Riker cleared his throat before finding the words, "I was just going to do the project myself. Don't worry, I'll put your name on it."
Allison's eyebrows scrunched together. "You do understand the meaning of 'partner', right?"
Riker shrugged. "Yeah, but that's how I've done my past partner projects. I'm pretty much the only one who has a clue what's going on this class, and I don't my grade to suffer because of y-"
"Me?" Allison interrupted. "So you're implying that I'm dumb?"
"Well," Riker started, but once he saw the look on her face he stopped himself. "Not as smart as I, I mean."
Allison leaned on the arm that was resting on the desk and rolled her head. "Maybe so, but you shouldn't assume things. Who knows, I might just show you up." She winked, playfully.
Riker lowered his head. So far, it didn't look like this partnership would be going so well, and now he was desperately wanting the project to be over. "I'm sorry."
"It's alright," Allison moved her hand to his shoulder, "let's meet at the library at 12:00."
Riker nodded, and quickly shuffled his books together and left the class quickly.
. . .
Riker pulled open the doors to the campus library and spotted Allison in the back, behind open books.
"Are you embarrassed to be here or something?" Riker teased as he walked to the table.
Allison rolled her eyes, looking up at him. "There you go assuming things, again."
Silence fell between them and Riker pulled up a chair next to her and began reading the various textbooks and scribbling down notes. It stayed silent between them, only talking when they compared and shared each other's notes.
Allison broke the silence, "It's peaceful back here, isn't it?"
Riker looked up at her and shrugged, signaling for her to continue.
"No one ever comes back here, usually, but from here you can see everything and capture people's stories. Like that kid over there who is pounding at his keyboard probably has an essay due tomorrow morning that he wants to get just right. And that girl in the corner is probably reading that book for the tenth time." Allison continued.
Riker shrugged, "but that's not really shocking, anyone could guess those things about those people."
"True, but no one notices these things because their so invested in themselves. But back here, you can't help but notice."
Still unimpressed, Riker shrugged. "So what about me? What's my story?"
"Other than that you are entirely displeased about having me as partner? And if people don't compete with your grades, than it automatically makes them dumb?" Allison raised an eyebrow before continuing.
"I think that someone once told you that education and grades are the most important thing in life, and so naturally, you took it to heart and have been obsessed with being the best in all areas of academics. But let me tell you something, Riker, it doesn't do you any favors to just be book smart. If you work hard with no play, you're basically just another robot."
Riker gulped, thinking about how right she was and how hearing those words stung. "I gotta go."
"Riker, wait." Allison pulled on his arm that was packing up his things.
"What, Allison!?" He said, in a voice that was definitely not suitable for a library.
"Never mind, just go. We'll just meet up again for the project another day." Allison let go of his arm and he walked off.
. . .
Riker laid on his bed with his eyes wide open, and Allison's words playing over and over again. He hated to admit it, but she was right. His focus was always purely on academics, but maybe the right person could show him life in a new way.
In one quick motion, Riker hopped off his bed and sat down at his computer. He found Allison on Facebook rather quickly and began typing her a message.
Sorry I stormed out. Want to meet for coffee before working on the project tm?
And before he could chicken out, he pressed send.
In the last few moments before falling asleep, his phone lit up with a new Facebook notification.
Allison: I'd love to :)
