The Butterfly Effect (2020)

seventy two

TW: mild sexual content, blood

"You really shouldn't be studying."

"Funny that, because you really should," I countered, stifling a yawn as I repeated my English notes onto a piece of spare paper in an effort to recite them to memory.
"One; touché," Lloyd replied as he grabbed the back of his desk chair I was on and turned it around. The pen nib ran across the page and I whined, sending him a pout as he shifted me to face him. His expression was insistent. "Second; my point still stands. Your energy is being used to heal your body. You should be resting, not stressing yourself out."
I sighed, reaching out to grab the desk and turn myself back around. His grip gave me no such chance. I gave up, sending his pretty face an exhausted, desperate look.
"I can't not study," I complained, slumping back into the chair. "Exams start next Monday, Lloyd."
"Have you even called your mother yet?" he asked, raising one brown eyebrow. I felt my heart hitch in panic and my eyes widen before I closed them tight. I released a heavy, tired sigh. Lloyd eyed the way I dropped my throbbing head into my hands and sent me a sympathetic smile.

"You're overworking yourself," he murmured, slipping his deft hands around my wrists and sliding them up to hook through my fingers. He brought them away from my face and I gave a defeated frown. "Relax, doll. You'll do fine."
"We have very different ideals of 'fine' when it comes to education," I reminded, sending him a lethargic, amused look. "My fine is getting perfect grades and a full scholarship to any college I want. Your fine is showing up to the exam."
"It's more than what some other people do," Lloyd pointed out. "You say that like I'm not smart."
"You are smart," I corrected, pulling him forward by our linked hands so I could rest my head on his shoulder. "Just not in the conventional, education system way."
"I am so," he sniffed. "I just don't do the assignments properly."
"Lloyd," I snickered, sinking into his warmth and letting myself soak in his scent. Rainforests and spring meadows had never smelt so enticing. "You once asked the difference between Beethoven and beetroot."

"They sound similar!" Lloyd defended before pulling away and bringing out his phone. "Whatever, you nerd. Go back to studying."
I rolled my eyes with a tired smile, turning myself back to the books and picking up from where I had been interrupted.
"Hey, second mom," Lloyd greeted, making my pen freeze. "Yep, she's fine. Still really tired. Sorry she didn't call, she thinks studying is more important than family."
"Lloyd!" I chided as I turned back around, betrayed. "Stop putting words in my mouth. Gimme the phone."
He handed me the device with a teasing smirk. I gave him a half-hearted scowl as I held the phone up to my ear.
"Hey, mom."
"Y/n, thank goodness," mum said in a relieved rush. "I heard you were shot!"
"Yep," I said, dropping my head back against the chair and rubbing my temple. Lloyd opened up his closet doors and I eyed him as he began to change out of his training clothes to get into his gi. "I- I'm fine."
"Fine?!" she repeated incredulously and I had to remind myself that my mother was on the phone as Lloyd, only wearing his boxers, wiggled his eyebrows tantalisingly. I struggled to keep from snorting. "You needed stitches!"

"Which should be coming out soon," I reminded, turning my gaze up to the ceiling. "I'm totally fine. A little sore and tired, but other that - I feel okay."
In the background, I could hear Lloyd do up his various buckles and clasps. I played with a loose thread on Nya's sweatpants - I'd have to get changed into some of my own clothes soon. I should buy myself some more sweatpants. I made a mental note to go shopping one night and grab some; maybe get some clothes for the approaching summer, too.
Maybe a nice bikini. For no particular reason.
"I'll be out in twenty," Mum said. "Do you know how long you'll stay there for? I can take you home if you want."
"Not sure," I sighed, shifting my head to the side. The budding maple and sakura trees trembled in the slight, afternoon breeze. The grass was lush and long from the hectic spring weather. I smiled at the vibrant colours. It reminded me of Lloyd. "I think I'll stay, though."