With Me | Chris Sturniolo

11.

It's been a week since I locked Eddie in the closet and I'm sitting cross legged on Callie's bed, our books and notes scattered around us.

She looked up from her spot on the bed. "Remind me why I want to do science when I'm older?"

I looked at the clock and it was almost midnight. "Because you want to better the human race with your knowledge of science and medicine?"

"I'm starting to regret it" she mumbled, flipping through her notebook. "It's Friday night and we're studying"

"You say that like it's unusual for science students to study on a Friday night"

I failed another calculus test this week, and we had a quiz today. I was ready, but I'm sure I messed it up. Callie is in different calculus class, but it's the same material, so she's been helping me.

So far, we've been studying calculus and chemistry together everyday until late. I was no where closer to understanding and I don't think Callie was either.

"I know, but I wish our lives were more exciting. We could at least do something other than study one day out of the week"

"What? Figuring out the nature of chemical systems isn't enough for you?"

"We could've gone to the movies or something. Even the guys are at a party"

"I know. I can hear the music from here"

Some guy who went to our school, lived a few blocks from Callie's house, was throwing a party tonight. Nate, Matt and Jack tried to convince us to go, but after the last party I went to, I decided I'd rather study. Madison didn't go out either-she went on a date with Mike instead.

When they tried to get Chris to go, he said he was 'busy' , without explaining it. They do everything together, especially party. It was already bad that Mike wasn't going now, but Chris wasn't either.

Nate and Matt bugged him to go, but Chris gave them a firm look, telling them 'you know why'

When he did that, they realised, as if Chris explained it perfectly with that one look.

"I'm done studying, let's go to bed. Sleep here tonight?" Callie asked me

She's been inviting me to sleep over every time I was at her house, and I was running out of excuses why I can't. I wanted to, and my Mom wouldn't find out if she wasn't home, but I literally can't sleep there. My pills are at home, and without them, I can't sleep.

"Sorry, Callie. My Mom's expecting me to be home"

I felt bad lying to Callie, but I don't want her to know I need pills to sleep. Even on the pills, I didn't sleep much. She'd think I was weird getting out of bed and working out at 4am.

"Are you sure? I don't snore or anything"

I laughed as I packed up my stuff. "I don't doubt that, I just need to get home" I told her. "I'm not the best sleeper"

After I reassured Callie that I have to go home, she allowed me to go downstairs. Her brother was at a party and her parents were at a fundraiser, so we didn't need to be quiet as we go downstairs.

At the door, we talk more as I put my shoes on. As I reach for the door handle, the doorbell rings. My hand freezes and we look at each other.

"Are you expecting someone?" I asked in a whisper.

Callie shook her head. The two of us stared at the door that separated us from whoever was on the other side. "It's midnight. My brother is crashing at his friends and my parents wouldn't ring the doorbell"