Your Loyal Servant

(18) Study Session?

I crossed off another day on the calendar and recapped the pen. After I put it back in the cup, I sighed and flopped back onto my bed. I leaned against the wall and pulled my legs up to my chest.

Tommy hopped onto my bed, mewing to inform me he'd come for cuddles. He curled up beside me and once I began to scratch his back, he started purring in contentment.

There was only a week until semester one finals. How in the world did that happen? Where was the time going?

Well, it disappeared every time I went out with Brick and when I helped Freaky with his baffling and impossible puzzles and when Apple and Selma insisted on taking me out to either a store or a café.

Since when do I have a social life?

As I stared at the calendar in front of me, I realized, once again, that I was unprepared for finals. While Freaky had helped me keep on top of my homework, there were still a couple subjects I was struggling with. And that was why I was stressed.

Groaning, I toppled over, lying on my side. The sudden movement startled Tommy, and he turned to glare at me.

"Sorry," I grumbled. "I'm just stressed about finals."

He blinked at me and then jumped off my bed, slinking through the crack I'd left in my door. He vanished, probably to take a nap at his spot in the living room.

I grabbed a pillow and put it on my head so I'd stop looking at the calendar. Unfortunately, it didn't stop thoughts about finals from entering my head.

"There should be an off button for my brain," I muttered into the pillow.

Finally, I decided I needed to stop worrying myself sick so I threw the pillow onto the floor and turned on some music. I lay on my back, studying the ceiling, as I sang along to the songs. Eventually, my eyes closed, my voice faded, and I fell asleep.

When I woke up, a couple hours had passed and dinner had ended. I stood up and stretched, wiping the sleep from my eyes as I trudged down the stairs.

The Freak glanced up from the word-find he was racing through as though reading a children's book. He rose from his chair and informed me, "I went to your room to tell you dinner was ready, but I noticed you were asleep, so I let you be."

"Thanks," I mumbled, collapsing into a chair.

He regarded me a moment with a perked brow before he rolled his shoulders back and ventured into the kitchen to reheat my meal, which happened to be scrumptious chicken alfredo.

"An Italian night, huh?" I assumed as I stabbed a noodle with my fork.

Freaky resumed his position at the table, watching me with careful and concerned eyes. When I had gotten halfway through my food, he inquired, "Is something troubling you, Ms. Orrie?"

I swallowed and stared at him, trying to keep my expression blank. I lied, "No, everything's fine."

He bowed his head, saying, "I apologize for prying. I didn't mean to overstep my boundaries."

With a sigh, I set my fork down and pushed my plate away. As I crossed my arms, I said, "Obviously you know there's something on my mind."

His eyes locked onto mine and he insisted, "If you don't wish to talk about it, I will not push for you to tell me."

My lips pursed and I brought my fingers through my hair. I released a sigh of defeat and sat next to him instead, as though sitting as though I were in a confessional would help.