You All Over Me [BxB]

Fourteen

A/N: Chapters are longer from this point onward, so my revision updates will also slow down. At a minimum, there should be one chapter a day. Thanks for your patience! lots and lots of love from me to you xx

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Jacob's fingers curl around the glass, his knuckles whitening.

"I wish I could. But I... I don't know what else to do. I came back because I didn't know what to do with my life."

"Are you happy to be back?"

Jacob draws a deep breath. "I have no idea about how I feel. All I know is I don't want to quit. Not yet. And it's not that I don't like what I study... I just don't want to lose what I used to have, that's all. I want to swim. I want to be able to go out. Heck, I want to sleep."

"But that's not how it works," Theodore says, his tone rising. "If you've chosen this path, you must accept that it demands a significant commitment to studying. It's a continuous process since new laws are enacted every year. You'll have to study for the rest of your life. And if you're not sure you can do that, then..."

Theodore swallows, interlocking gazes with Jacob. "...then maybe you should reconsider."

A month ago, Theodore wouldn't have cared if Jacob decided not to enroll. But with everything that's happened between them, he feels comfortable—happy—to have him around.

Funny how his perception of him changed so fast that the mere thought of him quitting twists his insides.

Still, he wants what's best for him.

Behind them, a group of friends clink their glasses as Jacob's eyes turn somber.

"Do you think I should leave?" Jacob asks. "Do you want me to quit?"

"That's not what I'm saying," Theodore answers, shifting in his seat. "I don't want you to waste your time and energy and money on something you're unsure of."

"So you want me to stay?"

Heat spreads through Theodore's face. "It's not about what I want. It's not about me. But I... I think you should decide on what you want to do and stick to that choice. Put your all into it. If you're staying, you have to work on your study habits. The offer to join our study group still stands, Jake. We can help you. We can help each other."

"Damn it," Jacob mutters with his face buried in his hands.

"I understand you're used to working by yourself... But it's different here. If you want to survive, you need to accept all the help you can get."

"Fine," Jacob concedes, his shoulders sagging.

The knots in Theodore's stomach loosens, and he offers him a kind smile. "Okay. You'll have to submit assigned digests, alright?"

"Fine."

"It will help you manage your time."

"Fine."

"I'm just a five-minute walk away. In case you need a hand with anything."

At this, Jacob lifts his head and rests his cheek on a fist, eyes flickering.

"Can I drop by whenever?"

Theodore drinks the last drop of his beer and averts his gaze. "I said in case you need a hand. Not just when you feel like it..."

Jacob lets out a peal of laughter—the first Theodore's ever heard. His chest swells with relief as he also finds himself drawn to his features.

He could listen to him all night.