Bets, Beds & Treads ۶ৎ

𝒗.

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴠ
| ʙ ʀ ᴇ ᴀ ᴋ ɪ ɴ ɢ |
𝐑 𝐄 𝐈 𝐍 𝐀

𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗧.

It's just for the damn bet...

I've been telling myself that for hours.

I can't stand that guy. Huh... I like him? Who the fuck likes him? No one.

He probably thinks I'm a total loser now.

I bury my face into my pillow and scream, kicking my feet out of pure frustration.

Is there some ritualistic satanic crap we can pull to take that moment back?

I sit up, running through my own thoughts, then let out a groan as I realize how absurd and unhinged they sound.

I need to get a grip.

But the thought of facing him again tomorrow has me feeling like I'm about to step into a ring with no game plan.

I need a strategy... or maybe just a damn good place to bury myself.

Stupid Fucking Bet! If it wasn't for my ego, I'd rather take hundreds of test per week instead of dealing with this bullshit...

which reminds me...

I have a test on Tuesday. Which also reminds me I haven't studied for it yet! Which also reminds me I left my books in the locker!

Books. Wait, the books I rented! I need to get them back to the library.

Shit! I hope they're not overdue. Shit! SHIT! Elijah is going to strangle me!

Sliding into my pants, I grab my bag, tossing the books inside, and bolt for the door.

. . .

I shove open the door to the colossal library I absolutely adore. I know; it's a pretty unconventional hangout spot for someone like me. But honestly, who can resist the pull of great books?

This place is a must for me. With the amount of books I consume, I'd have to set up my own damn library if I didn't have it. Actually, that doesn't even sound like a bad idea.

Like always, the place was packed with people. Elijah was planted in his seat, his glare piercing through the noise-makers, behind those square glasses that makes him look hideous. But deep down, he's a good old man with a kind heart.

I walk over, a smile on my face. "Dude, you're at it again."

He shoots me a narrowed look before turning to his computer not even wasting a second, likely checking the due dates for the books.

His brows furrow, and I can't help but laugh, a mix of embarrassment and exasperation flooding over. "It's overdue again, isn't it?"

Elijah looks me straight in the eye. "By a week. It's like no one knows how to return their stuff on time anymore."

"I'm so, so sorry," I say, dropping the books I borrowed onto the counter, silently praying he won't punish me by cutting me off from renting for a month. Last time that happened, it was rough.

"No mor-" Elijah started, but I quickly cut him off.

"No, no, wait! Please, hear me out," I pleaded, practically throwing myself into the conversation. "Okay, look, I am really sorry. I swear, it won't happen again, ever. I am begging you. Please, don't ban me from renting. Please, I promise." I pleaded.