Drowning

Study Session

It was now mid-December and I was debating my recent life choices. Finals were starting on Monday and it was Friday night. Biology was kicking my ass and I was consuming at least ten cups of coffee every three hours to keep myself focused. It was incredibly unhealthy and I was constantly checking my sugar to make sure that I wasn't doing more harm than good to my body.

Maggie had been locked in her room as well, but she only had two finals this semester, since her professors were much nicer than mine and had allowed the students to use an essay grade as their final. Mine, not so much. Majoring in biology had to be one of my worst ideas, but it has to be done if I want a chance at Medical School. Maintaining a four-point-oh was also proving to be almost impossible, but it was my junior year and so far I was still on track. This year was when all the serious stuff hit, after Freshman Biology of course, since that's where the majority of my colleagues washed out at semester, and some didn't even make it that far.

I reached for my third book of the night when my phone began vibrating next to me. I found my page, and then reached across the floor to retrieve the procrastination device. Mark's name flashed across the screen and I held the phone between the crook of my neck and my shoulder as I extended my arms to get my spiral. “Hey Grace, I know you're studying but I figured you would want to eat sometime soon.” He said this knowing I usually decline and return to my studying, but I was beginning to feel nauseous and my stomach growled as I debated a Sophie’s steak. “Actually, I think I've made enough progress for the night. Why not?” I replied, almost laughing as I imagined his shocked face. “Awesome, Sophie’s?” “Are you kidding?” I joked, already in a better mood at the idea of real food instead of dry Raisin Bran.

Dinner went smoothly and was wonderful as always. Mark and I caught up and I found out that he was planning to run in the next election as Governor, which I responded to by ordering dessert. “Mark, that's great!” “I start campaigning in August next year.” He said, smiling so wide it brought a sense of pride to my heart. “When did you decide this?” I asked him, wondering just when he realized it was time to take the next step. “I realized that I turn thirty in February, and Flo said that I might as well start early, bring in a fresh face, especially with the recent take-over of the Senate.” Flo was Mark's campaign manager who I had met on previous occasions. She was a shorter woman that could talk faster than Eminem and wore heels everywhere she went, signaling anyone around her that she was approaching.

“I'm so happy for you; this is such a huge step. You'll have to run all your points by me and practice your speeches to Mags and me!” Mark was clearly excited to tell me this, and I wish he could converse with the rest of our family about this, but it was useless trying to talk anything educational with our parents, let alone have a civil conversation with them, ever. Mark and I had been surviving on our own for a while now, and we were both doing just fine. I say alone, but our grandmother has to be included. Without her, we probably would have been in the same boat as our worthless parents at this point in life. We owed so much to that woman. “You need to call Gram!” I told Mark, wanting to include her in the overall excitement. “I know. I'll do it tomorrow since it's getting pretty late.”

We had just paid the check when I saw a mass of brown hair and a glint of blue eyes exiting the restaurant. Speed walking to meet up with him, I tapped on his shoulder and waited on my toes behind him. Emmett turned around with a surprised look on his face that soon turned into a smile. “Fancy seeing you here,” I grinned at him. He nodded and laughed at my expression “I love this place.” He told me, jerking his head toward the front sign and I nodded to him. “I have to go now, but I'll give you a call tomorrow, alright? I've missed seeing you,” he said, making his way to his car. I wasn't offended by his quick goodbye; I was just glad that he wanted to see me again.