Linger

F I F T Y - T W O

"This is impossible. I don't even think it's English."

"It's not. It's math," I grumbled, sifting through my math notes at my desk in my room. It was extremely late on Sunday now and with how heavy my eyelids felt right now, I was pretty sure it was already Monday morning.

But Chelsea, Alice, and I had been on video call trying to figure out this study guide for our Algebra 2 test tomorrow . . . or more like, today . . . and haven't had much luck.

"Have you guys seen this video?" Alice burst into laughter, causing me to look up at my screen.

"Alice," Chelsea groaned. "We're supposed to be figuring this out."

"Sorry. But these cows are so cute! They're singing!"

Chelsea and I exchanged looks.

"Singing?" I repeated, making sure it wasn't my sleep-deprived mind making things up.

"Yeah. The guys playing, like, a trumpet or whatever and they're all moo-ing along." She giggled.

Chelsea let out a huff. "Okay. We have officially lost it."

I let out a laugh. "Wait. I need to see this."

"I'll send it to you!" Alice exclaimed and my phone lit up with her message shortly after.

I yawned escaped my mouth as I reached for my phone.

"Did you finish page three?"

My eyes snapped open at Chelsea's voice. I didn't even realize they were closed.

"Page three of what?" Alice asked.

I went back to my phone, going to Alice's message as my eyelids grew heavy once again.

"Okay, we'll skip page three and get back to it later," Chelsea's voice snapped me back. "How far did you get on page four?"

My phone suddenly buzzed in my hand.

Daniel: Madison?

Daniel: What is this? Is everything okay?

"Oh no." My hands flew to my mouth as my eyes scanned the screen reading the thread of messages between Daniel and I . . . and then the random link I just sent him minutes ago.

Chelsea and Alice looked up at me. "What?"

"Uh, I just totally sent that cow video to--" I stopped myself. I couldn't tell them. Because then I would have to explain everything else. But I already said too much. I sighed, running my hand through my hair. I was way too tired for this.

"To who?" Chelsea gave me a puzzled expression.

"Someone I shouldn't have," I mumbled, before mentally slapping my forehead. I needed to stop talking.

Alice burst into laughter. "Wait. You just randomly sent that cow video?"

"Yes," I grumbled, scrolling through my phone.

She laughed even more.

"Guys, come on," Chelsea pleaded. "The sun's almost up and we have two pages left."

"The sun's almost up?!" Alice exclaimed.

My phone buzzed again.

Daniel: You're awake this early?

I looked outside the window to see the sun just barely coming up, providing a soft glow in the sky.

"How are we supposed to survive the rest of the day?" Alice cried. "And take a test?!"