Firefly

|Ch. 14|

I stared at the questions plastered on the front of the flashcard Brian was holding up in front of my face, trying to figure what the answer was. I heavily grunted staring around at the other disheveled students. They were piled into the library like a pack of hungry wolves studying last minute for tests. My eyes began to feel heavy as I tried desperately to stay awake.

"You can do this Maddie. Just think," Brian reassured me.

"I can't. My mind is fogged. I didn't get any sleep last night from studying for my biology test," I replied.

"Sleep is for the weak. I know you can do this. Just put your mind to it," Brian remarked.

I had always been an extremely bright student. Not to brag, but I had almost a perfect 4.0 GPA and I was determined to not fall short. It's just that this semester has been rough trying to balance the thought of guys and school at the same time. At this point, I didn't know if my mind could hold anymore information.

"I don't think macro economics needs to take up this much time in my life," I specified.

Brian stared at me with a hope in his eyes. He took my hand into his and gripped it while grinning as wide as he could.

"You've worked this hard. I know you can do it," Brian commented.

I sadly had to admit he was right. I slowly nodded my head as he flipped over another flashcard. My eyes drifted around the library observing at the countless other dreary college students cramming for tests tomorrow. I caught the attention of my roommate Sally who was sitting all alone at a little desk. I watched as she gripped her necklace while being engrossed in her science book.

"C'mon Maddie I know you know the answer to this one. You know what will cause the short run aggregate supply curve to shift to the right."

All of his words seemed to jumble together as I tried to focus on each of them. My vision was beginning to haze as I squinted trying to understand what the question was asking. I had gone over these notecards almost a hundred times and it just wasn't registering with me. Why not?

"Brian, I just need to set the flashcards down and focus on something else other than studying," I stated.

Brian reluctantly set down the stack of flashcards and looked at my beaten face. He stroked my cheek and grinned looking straight into my eyes. I gripped his hand touching my face and felt the fingers that fit mine perfectly.

"Are you not worried about your finals?" I inquired.

Brian had never really cared about school that much. He was more invested in making friends and being social than the whole academic aspect of college. There was nothing wrong with that, it's just that I was more focused on what grades I would make while he was worrying about what kind of theme the next frat party should be. People always say opposites attract and we sure as heck were counterparts.

"No I'm fine. I'm more concerned about you. You're constantly studying though. You need to take a break."

"I am taking a break, right now," I mentioned.

"No, not this. You need to get away from this stuffy library and live life on the edge."

"On the edge? You don't think being cooped up in this place is daring? I mean look at all these blood hungry students," I said motioning to crowd of people surrounding one tiny desk.

Brian giggled and said, "No, not that. I have an idea."

"An idea? Should I trust you with this? I mean you are the king of parties. Are you going to throw me some surprise celebration?" I jokingly questioned.

"No, it's even better."

Before I could say no, Brian picked up my books and placed them into my book bag. I rolled my eyes and got up from my seat walking hand in hand with Brian.

Suddenly, a girl stopped in front of Brian and I that I had never seen before. She was juggling a pile of books while holding an energy drink in her other hand.

"Hey, Maddie. It's nice to see you constantly at Brian's parties now. You used to ditch all the time," she remarked staring Brian up and down.

I confusingly looked over at Brian as he tried to shake her off. I could sense awkwardness eroding between the two of them as I stared over at Brian.

"Yeah. I didn't feel well. But, I'm all good," I retorted back.

Who did this girl think she was anyway? Did Brian tell everyone I always kept ditching his parties? Why didn't he come to me instead of some random girl?

"Well, you should get that checked out if you get sick every time you are around a party with Brian," she said glaring at him.

Brian tugged at my arm and we walked past her. I turned around and saw her still glaring at the two of us leaving. I gripped Brian's arm harder as we stepped out into the brisk November night.

"Who was that?" I probed.

"Oh that's just Haley. She comes to our parties all the time, so I guess she took notice in you and realized you left a lot," he confidently responded.

Why was Brian lying to me? I could sense he was holding back something from me but I couldn't tell what it was. I know I wasn't the most honest person either. However, I truly loved Brian and wanted the best between us. I just didn't know if we could both go on lying to each other. Relationships were set on trust and I didn't know if I could trust Brian. Heck, I didn't know if I could even trust myself at this point.

"Oh, I've never seen her," I remarked.

"Yeah, maybe if you would've stayed the whole time, you would get to know people," Brian snapped back at me.

I stopped walking and lowered my hand from his. Brian stepped closer to me as I paced back. I stood there silently demanding an apology from him.

What was wrong with him? If he had a problem with me, why didn't he just come out and admit it? What was holding him back?

"Look Maddie, I'm sorry, it just slipped out. I didn't mean it," Brian pleaded.

"If you didn't mean it, you wouldn't have said it or thought it in the first place," I countered.

I stared back at him with anger in my eyes. I couldn't believe that he had the nerve to respond this way to me.

"If you just see what I have planned, you'll realize what I feel for you," Brian retorted taking a step towards me.

I reluctantly stepped towards him as he reached his hand out to take mine. I gripped his inviting fingers into mine. We walked in silence to the library parking lot and Brian popped open his truck pulling out one his blankets.

"What are we doing?" I asked.

"You'll see," Brian said smirking at me.

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So I have a huge surprise for you guys! In order for me to able to post all of my book in time for the Watty Awards, I will be updating my book every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!!! YAY! So, you can expect a new chapter every weekday! No more waiting for forever to realize what's going to happen next! I can't wait for you guys to read Chapter 15 on Monday! Be prepared :)