When You Least Expect It

18

It's here. My last final of my first semester. I will forever be grateful for this opportunity, I never thought I would be here. It's been different than I thought it would be but it's all been worth it. I know I'll look back and smile when I remember this time of my life. I'm a little nervous about this one. It's my hardest class, I studied all week but still.

I walk in and find a seat near the front, I'm going to have to focus for this one. My knees are bouncing under the desk as I wait for the test to be passed out. It seems like I'm not the only one who's nervous. Looking around nearly everyone is fidgeting with something. Once the last few people trickle in the test is passed out. All I can do is stare at it for a few seconds, finally I take a deep breath and get to work.

An hour and a half later the alarm on the professors desk beeps signaling the end of the exam. I don't think I've looked up once since I started. I answered all the questions then I went back and reread every single one until I was questioning my answers. Finally I just decided to stick with my gut and leave them. I'm not feeling super confident but I think I good enough, hopefully.

I blow out a sigh of relief as the cool breeze hits my face. It's officially over. I did it. My shoulders finally relax, I guess I didn't realize how much tension I was carrying around.

As I make my way back to the house to drop off my bag I run into Katie. She looks good in the sweater dress she's wearing, it's a deep red with white accents. Her hair is curled and frames her face perfectly. "Hey gorgeous. Where you off to?"

"Just finished taking my books back. Getting ready to go home tomorrow. You?"

"Headed back to the house. I'm gonna see if Jason wants to hit the gym with me. Release some of this tension."

She tucks a stray hair behind her ear as we walk. "So, any big plans for Christmas?"

"Nah. I've never cared too much for the holidays."

"What that's crazy! Christmas is always such a big deal at my house. I still feel like a kid when Christmas morning comes. Me and my brothers always race downstairs to see what Santa brought." She laughs as she air quotes "Santa" and I can't help but smile.

"You goof. How are things with lover boy going?"

She frowns, "I don't know. I haven't seen much of him lately and he takes forever to text me back. I tried to get him to come home with me and he didn't want to."

"Aw, well that sucks. Don't let him treat you like that. If he's being a douche, dump him. You know I'm always here if you need me right?" I wrap my arm around her shoulders and squeeze her against me.

She puts her arm around my waist, "I know. And I thank you for that. You're the best. I guess I'll just see how it goes over break and then we might have to have a serious conversation about it. I really hate that you're going to be alone on Christmas though."

"Don't worry about me kid. Just enjoy your time home. Make sure you send me some pictures of what you get from the fat man." She chuckles and pushes me off.

When we make it to the house she tells me she has to go finish getting her stuff together and disappears up the stairs. I make my way to the kitchen for a snack before I try to hunt down Jason. Just as I finish the last bite of my PB&J, Taylor rounds the corner. He grabs a bottle of water out of the fridge and leans against the counter with a sigh. "Why so glum brother. It's Christmas break."

"That's exactly why. I dropped a shitload of money on Meg and now she tells me she wants to take a break. I talked to one of her friends and apparently she's not over some ex of hers from back home." He shakes his head and takes a drink of his water.