The Only Difference Between Love and Envy is Press Coverage

The Kids Just Might Be Alright After All

"Come on baby, don't do this to me. Not now. Please!"

Brendon pleaded, slapping his hand against the steering wheel of his car. It had been bumping and groaning for a few weeks now. But Brendon ignored it. Promising himself that he'd take it in tomorrow everyday. Clearly his car was tired of it's needs being ignored.

He turned the key again and was met with a dry, clicking noise. That was it. It just wasn't going to start. He snatched the key from the ignition and slapped the steering wheel again. He was already late for work and now he would have to take the bus. Making him even more late. He glared out his side window towards the bus stop across the street from the dorms. He could barely make out the bench through the pouring rain.

He glanced around him and realized he'd left his umbrella in his room. Assuming he wouldn't need it because his car was just a few feet away from the entrance.

"Well," he rested his hand on the door handle. "Here goes nothing."

He pushed the door opened and kicked it shut. Running as fast as he could across the street to the shelter of the bus stop. He was almost completely soaking wet when he took cover under the small roof. The bus came immediately and Brendon had never been more thankful for anything in his life.

He dropped the necessary amount of change and took the seat closest to the front. He didn't have to make fake conversations with people because everyone else on the bus looked just as happy to be there as he was. So he stared straight ahead. Focusing on the heavy splashes of water slapping against the front windshield.

The bus was just as slow as he thought it would be. When it finally stopped in front of the cafe, he was thirty minutes late. Again, he ran through the rain to get inside.

"You're late." Dallon tossed him his apron.

"I know. I know. Car. Rain. Bus. Wet."

"Sounds like hell. I'll tell you what! How about you work the register today and I'll make all the coffee."

"Really?"

"Totally." He looked him up and down. Frowning slightly. "You've clearly had a rough morning. You take the easy job today."

"Thanks, Dal." Brendon smiled. Placing his apron over his head and tying it.

"No problem."

Brendon ran his hands though his wet hair and sighed. Today was a bad day. He'd seemed to be having a lot of those lately. Some days he just wanted to quit all of this. But he just kept reminding himself the hard part was almost over. This was his last year of college. Then he had a guaranteed, paid internship to a top pediatric center. He just had to hold off for a few months.

"Hey, Dal?" Brendon called over his shoulder.

"Yeah, dude?"

"Can you drive me home today? I really don't want to take the bus."

"Of course. We could crash on the bed and watch movies."

"Can't. I have two papers do tomorrow."

"I have three." Dallon shrugged.

Brendon spun all the way around to face him. "You're insane if you think you can just slide through that and pass."

"Hey, you've known me for like three years." He smirked confidently. "When have you known me to fail?"

"That strangely true." Brendon scratched his head. "I'm convinced you're sleeping with all of your professors."

"Maybe I am." He winked. "Or maybe I have someone doing my work for me."