Something Worth Fighting For

Chapter Fifteen: A Toast To Friendship?

Chapter Fifteen: A Toast To Friendship?

Natalia had been studying with Marissa for only three days, and she could see that the girl needed no help. Marissa wasn't as helpless as she had portrayed herself.

All Natalia had to do was explain how to do the ice table and do an example with her. The rest Marissa was fine with. Natalia couldn't help but feel as though her time was being wasted. Clearly Marissa had understood the concepts. So then why is she still asking me to come? Natalia thought with irritation.

She was sitting at the dining table of Marissa's large house. There was an impressive crystal chandelier hanging directly above both of the girls. Natalia watched as the prisms of light bounced off the walls. She had spent an hour and a half already. She needed time to prepare herself for her own exams.

Natalia didn't know how many times she had glanced at the watch. She was hoping for time to pass by faster. When the time for her to go finally came, Natalia was relieved.

“So, will you come by tomorrow?” Marissa asked, as Natalia put on her shoes. Dallas was outside waiting for her. Natalia thought about it for a moment. “I don't think I can. I have a lot to review, myself.” She told Marissa. “Oh, okay.” Marissa said, leaving it at that.

Natalia was happy that she was off the hook. She got into the car cheerfully, as Dallas drove her home.

-----

Dallas hadn't quite understood why Natalia had agreed to help Marissa. Had it been him, he wouldn't have helped the person responsible for humiliating him.

Maybe she overlooked that part, he thought to himself. Or maybe...she doesn't know. That had been a very strong possibility. Dallas didn't know whether Natalia's friends had told her why Raine had decided to go out with her. I'm sure as hell not going to be the one to tell her, he hoped.

Natalia was in her room studying. She had finished her second exam the afternoon before. She only had her chemistry and biology exams left.

Dallas was sitting in the living room watching television. His training practice had been earlier in the day, the coach had told all of them that the cuts would be announced at the end of the week. The first two weeks had brought so many cuts, that there were hardly more than two hundred and fifty players left. All Dallas had to do was out play them until he was one of the last five players standing...in March.

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“How much time left?” Dawn asked. Natalia glanced at the library clock. They only had half an hour before the biology exam. It was a Wednesday afternoon, Natalia and her friends were sitting at their usual table in the library. “Thirty minutes.” Taylor replied.

Natalia, Dawn, Taylor, and Christian, all had biology exams. It was Natalia's last exam. Dawn and Taylor had been in the first period class for the subject, luckily exams were held at the same time. Natalia felt comforted by the fact she wasn't alone in studying for the test.

Natalia could feel herself becoming nervous. What if she hadn't concentrated on the right topics? What if she forgot the Kreb's cycle? What if she forgot everything?

Natalia took a few deep calming breaths. Panicking wasn't going to help her. It never helped to panic.

Natalia started to run through the notes she had made to prepare for the exam.

“Hi Natalia.” Came a voice. Natalia turned around to see Marissa. Natalia was less than thrilled. “Hi.” She said dryly. “I just wanted to thank you for helping me study.” Marissa told her. “Your welcome.” Natalia said before turning back to her notes. But Marissa didn't leave. “I wanted to ask if maybe you could join me for dinner on Friday?” Marissa asked her. Natalia was stunned. Before she could answer, Marissa spoke once more. “You don't have to answer right now. I'll call you tomorrow. Just think about it and ask your parents. It'll be my way of saying thank you.” Marissa said before leaving.