Between The Books-Michael Clifford

Fifty Four

If you close your eyes long enough, without falling asleep, you can start to see anything. Be anywhere. With anyone. Kyle and I are sitting in the back of biology, our well chosen, black hole area of the lecture hall. We're in the top right corner, completely hidden in the shadows. This class has over 100 students, so it's easy to disappear. There are about twenty others who have figured this out as well, claiming their own shadow filled corners.

Both Kyle and I are doing the exact same thing. Leaning back in our seats, feet up on the back of the seat in front of us, eyes closed and completely checked out of Biology 201.

Kyle's probably imagining himself and Carla having amazing sex. I know they do....Carla's my neighbor.

I've been thinking about a few different things. I started off sleeping, until Kyle kicked me, saying I was snoring.

Bogus. I do NOT snore.

Then I started thinking about the last time I saw Michael. Which was five days ago. Right before Jax came back, the Sunday when we studied for our test together. Today is Friday and we've been so good this week. We've talked everyday, several times, and when we weren't talking, we were texting, but tonight I work, and then after, Jax and I are going to the Newport to see the guys play. Laney hasn't seen much of Marcus either. Turns out whatever disease Synna had, made it's way through the house. The last ones to get it were Marcus and Michael. They refused to let Laney or myself come over until they were over it, or mostly so.

I was there last night with Laney for about an hour. She needed to pick up some of her laundry so we hung out and listened to Lickit run through their set. Both Marcus and Scutter still have a little of the disease going on, just enough to make their voices sound....AMAZING.

Raspy, scratchy guy voices are....just sex.

Michael wasn't there, sadly. He was at his chem lab. He and Synna have the same chemistry class together, and are lab partners. So that sucked.

Then I started thinking about Jax. I've seen him everyday this week, and everyday he seems fine. Too fine, actually. Nothing I can do about it. Nate says he hasn't been able to catch him, and he knows if Jax is doing it, he doesn't have it stashed in their room. He's searched it.

Nate had to give up the babysitting. Jax was getting suspicious with all the time Nate was around. Nate normally used to hang with Laney, or this guy, Devlin, who lives off campus, but Nate's been spending ALL his time in the dorm, or tagging along with Jax for close to a week and a half. Jax finally told him to fuck off and get a life. So he said he was giving up and leaving Jax to me.

Awesome.

I'm going to talk to Michael and see if he thinks I should just give up and tell Jax we're done.

I hear people start to get up and move around. I open my eyes and see Kyle stretching beside me. He looks over at me and smiles.

"Good lecture?" He says.

"Best one yet." I say, grinning.

When I drag Kyle to these lectures with me, neither of us have to do anything. He gets all the notes somehow, and I don't ask how. When he doesn't come, I actually have to get the notes myself and share them with him. Sometimes I bring my laptop and type them in, but usually I just bring my notebook and write them down.

This drives Kyle insane. He never writes things down. I'm not even completely sure he can write. Never seen him do it. His laptop is his life.

He's not a computer geek though. He actually looks more like a jock, although he's not in any sports, not organized sports, anyway. He and some of his friends play football on the Oval every Sunday. They draw quite a crowd too....of females. Kyle's friends are all rediculous hot like he is. Doesn't take long for word to get around.

So when he's not causing the girls to lose their shit, or hanging with Carla, he's studying.....or with me. Like now. He knows way too much about me, mostly because I talk too much and have this weird need to spill all my crap whenever I'm with him. As for me, I know three things Kyle's amazing at. He loves Carla with his entire being, he's never wrong at Jeopardy....and he's fantastic in bed.

He's also my best friend here at school....besides Laney.

"I'm starving. Let's go get food and you can tell me your plan to break up with Jax." He says, standing up and slinging his backpack over his shoulder.

"I'm starving too. I'm not sure about Jax though. You think I should just do it?" I pull my white cardigan out of my bag and put it on.

Kyle and I make our way out of our corner and back into the light. We move slowly amongst the other 98 people trying to get out of the lecture hall and down the stairs to freedom.

"Yes, Star. It's time. Look, I know your intentions were good when you started this whole thing with waiting to tell Jax. I would've done the same thing. Anyone with a heart would have."

Some girls walk by Kyle, deliberately bumping up against him. They laugh and flip their hair, smiling.

Wow. Obvious much?

Kyle smiles back, that grin of his that could make the nicest girl go bad....and apologizes, saying it was his fault and hopes they're ok.

The girls blush as he gently touches their arm, or the small of their back.

It's really an unbelievable thing to watch. Kind of along the lines of the spider and the fly. The girls all think they're the spiders, with their different ways of flirting, trying to ensnare Kyle...but the stunning way he turns it around so that he locks eyes with them, works his magic and then sends them on their way....truly impressive. Genius really.

The girls wander off, unaware they've just been played. Played in a good way. You see, Kyle won't cheat. Never has, never will. He and Carla are all in, forever. Anyone who's ever seen them together can see that.

"So anyway..." He starts to continue our conversation.

"I'm still always amazed by that!" I say, interrupting him.

He smiles. "What? I'm just being polite, Star."

"Yeah, that's what it is. You're just polite, Kyle. Amazing."

"Ok, what I'm trying to say..." He stops as we walk outside, and pulls me over out of the herd. "...is that I think Jax is gonna be ok. You need to start thinking about the guy you really want. Just drop Jax and be with Mikey. There's only so much you can do for Jax. If he's using...he's using. HIS problem, Baby. Don't make it yours." He reaches in his pocket and pulls out three dollars. "Here, go get us something to drink, and text Jax you wanna meet up with him tonight after you get off work. Do it tonight, when you're around other people just to be safe...just in case he IS using."

"What are you doing right now, I have to go by myself?" I say, taking the money.

He's right. It's time. I can do this.

"I'm going to sit here on this bench and text my girl. I have a surprise for her, and I need to work a little magic to get her there. I need you to help me...but get the drinks first." He smiles.

"What's the surprise?!" I say, excitedly.

"Tomorrow's her birthday, and I'm gonna ask her to marry me. Right in the middle of the Oval at sunset."

Oh. My. God.