Pieces [Wattpad's Editor's Choice]

35: diLaTeD pUpiLs

"I debated whether I'd ask for an explanation while we waited in line for food, but after Thursday night's debacle, I've decided to sit out of this one."

Luna bit into her cheeseburger Saturday morning, somehow keeping her purple acrylics from touching the bun. After several minutes, she sipped on her strawberry milkshake.

"It's not permanent, if you're wondering."

"I'm honestly not, you live your best life and I'll cheer you on from the sidelines. I got my food, that's all I need."

I scanned the burger joint, arms crossed over the table. "I hardly tried these four years of college. Why look nice in college when your goal is to work hard and stay focused? Too much extra work. But with two months left of school, I can make time and the rewards, I feel, will be worth it." A few feet away, two guys standing in line glanced over at Luna and I several times, whispering to each other. The blond made eye contact with me. Ooh.

"Whadabounow?" Luna asked, her mouth full.

I looked back at her. "Well, now I have more free time."

Her face froze, cheeks still round with food. "OhmyGod." She swallowed her food. "When was the last time you studied or did homework?"

"I dunno, probably yesterday." Did we have homework?

"What class?"

"Um...Anatomy? I know we have a quiz Monday. I'll study tonight."

"Did you do the paper for Psych?"

"We had a paper?"

"Frannie!" Her eyes bulged out of her skull. "It was due Wednesday."

Oh crap.

"How bout your other classes? Anything for those?"

I shrugged. "I dunno...probably. I mean...it's not that much anyway. It's still early in the semester; the big assignments come later."

"Be careful, Frannie."

She didn't need to tell me twice: I'd been careful my whole life. This thing with Arrow mattered more.

"Maybe you should call your mom, too," Luna added. "She texted me a little worried this morning. Said you haven't taken any of her calls this week and you've ignored all her texts."

Ugh. Now Mom was texting Luna about my whereabouts? That was the sucky thing about being the "good" sibling; any small change, and helicopter parent is dispatching a flight-for-life.

"She's just concerned about you," Luna said after noticing my expression. "Mamma V loves you."

"I know, I know." I looked back at the guys standing in line. Now the friend was looking at me. He winked.

Oh my. I bit my lip to hide my smile.

Luna raised an eyebrow at me before following my gaze. "Take both; I'm not into freshmen."

"Ha." I reached for the fries. "There's only one guy I want."

"Right, when Arrow doesn't even-" she stopped herself. "You have more options now."

Maybe I did. But you know what? I didn't want the new options. Yeah, that sliver of attention felt amazing, I felt seen for once, but I was still on a mission. Arrow was the one. I wasn't going to settle for less. This physical change? It was for him.

He just needed to see me, too.

* * *

Isaac called me Saturday evening to ask if I wanted to study for Monday's frog dissection. Honestly, that sounded like a hassle more than anything else; I had more important things to worry about. Dissecting dead frogs didn't teach me anything in life. This thing with Arrow? If I could figure it out, my life would be complete. I could finally rest. And I'd have my forever person at my side to spend the rest of my life with.