No really, I'm okay. I'm also a great liar.

i come across a rare specimen: someone who doesn't listen to mcr

Seven days pass. They are uneventful, though not boring. I rarely have boring days, unless absolutely none of my friends are around.

Rose came over after my birthday to give me my present, which was this really pretty, modern-looking turquoise and gold watch. It's very good timing on her part because I dropped mine in my soup last week at lunch and it doesn't work anymore.

I spend most of my free time on my laptop, watching Netflix while eating cereal. 

I'm pretty sure 97 percent of my body weight is cereal.

Sometimes I move myself to Annabelle's apartment and do the exact same thing, only in a different place.

She agreed to join me in my quest to watch all the episodes of Sherlock made in one day, then fell asleep. To that, I said sleep is for the weak.

But now I'm sitting with Jacob and his roommate Alex helping Jacob study. (I would be back in my own bed but Jacob offered me poundcake so I couldn't refuse. He makes a mean poundcake.)

I'm lying on Jacob's bed with my back to the covers and my legs vertical against the wall. I gave up on quizzing him long ago; I'm legitimately hopeless at making up questions. Alex is doing fine on his own, as is Jacob. I drum my fingers on my thigh and hum Ode To Sleep and fiddle with my new watch and tap my toes.

Jacob prefers to study without music playing (something I never have and never will understand), which means I must create my own entertainment.

I'm already having withdrawals from the internet, but I'm here for Jacob. To ... offer moral support for studying? I don't really know why I'm here. I'm just too lazy to move.

I mean, Jacob and Alex aren't boring. Their small talk is fun to listen to, even if it means I may have to join in.

"Haze?" Jacob says loudly, interrupting my thoughts. He snaps his fingers about two centimeters away from my nose and I look up, startled.

"You've been asked a question." The statement comes with a ridiculous formality.

"Mmm, is that so? I didn't hear the question."

"You didn't hear, or you didn't comprehend?"

"Both. Come on, Bean, you've known me for years. I never truly comprehend."

"Alex just asked what kind of music you listen to."

"Well," I laugh, "if you wanted honesty then that's all you had to say."

I can't see Jacob, but I know he just rolled his eyes. I turn my head at an uncomfortable angle to look at Alex. He doesn't get it. I sigh. I don't like explaining references.

I cast a pleading look at Jacob, who gives me a reassuring look that says he's got this.

He pulls out my phone and scrolls through something. Probably my music library. It'll take him a while.

At last, I see him look at Alex, whose green eyes are narrowed in confusion. He ruffles his blond hair, looking intrigued.

"It's a line from this song," Jacob explains to Alex, who promptly nods. Jacob plays the song.

I watch Alex carefully, judging his reaction.

I think he likes it. (I mean, how could you not?)

And when the beat dies away, he flashes a freckled smile. "That was good. Who's it by?" He poises a pen near the planner lying open, and writes down the name.

The first beats of Message Man come on, and I see his eyes physically light up.

Okay. This guy knows what's up.