breathe

chapter 25 | benjamin

Chapter Twenty-Five

Benjamin

I loved watching Charlotte studying, her focused expression as she reviewed her detailed AP English notes one last time. Granted, I loved watching Charlotte do anything. That's what I was doing, watching her study from across our table in the school library during our free period. It was the last day of finals, the last day of senior year, the last day of high school.

"Benjamin, study," Charlotte said firmly without looking up from her notes.

"I am," I replied with a smile.

"Study for your physics test," she looked at me with an amused expression, knowing full well where my attention lay.

"I'd rather admire my brilliant girlfriend," I said with a wink.

"Benjamin."

"Charlotte."

"Why does this always happen when we study?" she asked with a sigh. I shrugged and leaned back in my chair. Charlotte held eye contact with me for a moment, but then returned to studying her notes.

Not even two minutes later, the school bell rang, signaling that our free period was over and it was time for us to head to our last finals. We packed up our things and walked together through the hallways, Charlotte fidgeting nervously with the strap of her backpack as we approached her classroom.

"You've got this," I assured her, gently kissing her forehead.

"Good luck to you too," she murmured, gazing into my eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too. I'll wait by your locker when I'm done. See you soon, love." She nodded, and I reluctantly let go of her hand and headed to my own classroom.

The physics test was a set of complex mechanics problems requiring multiple steps to solve. But I felt confident as I worked through each one methodically. After handing my test to the teacher, I stopped by my locker to organize my things before graduation.

I grinned seeing Charlotte's familiar red ponytail rounding the corner. But as she opened her locker, I noticed her shaking hands and red rimmed eyes.

"How'd it go?" I asked, placing my hand on the small of her back in concern.

"It was a disaster. The worst exam ever," she said with a sigh, tears streaming down her face. "Mr. T is going to be so disappointed." Mr. Taylor had been Charlotte's favorite teacher and mentor throughout high school.

"Hey," I said softly, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind her. "I know you did amazing on that exam."

"But I didn't," she was crying now, and my heart hurt for her, because I knew how much her grades meant to her, and how much she didn't want to let Mr. Taylor down.

"Love, look at me," I turned her to face me gently. "Just because you're upset now doesn't mean you failed. You're the smartest person I know. Mr. Taylor knows that too." I pulled her into my arms, rubbing her back as I hushed soft reassurances. "Breathe, it'll be okay. Try not to worry until you get your grade."

Gradually her tears subsided as she took deep breaths. "I'm sorry," she whispered, pulling away and wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "Your shirt is full of mascara."

"I don't care about the shirt," I murmured, brushing away the last tears with my thumb.

She sighed and closed her locker, leaning into me as we walked down the empty hall hand in hand. "I really thought I'd studied enough," she muttered dejectedly.