I turn around in Andy's wheelchair, with one of my legs bent at the knee and supporting my chin and the other hanging from the chair. My head feels heavy and my eyelids keep falling as I run my gaze over the same line of text over and over. I've underlined it in a hot pink highlighter to memorize it better but it doesn't seem to work. I heave a sigh. Biology was never my thing.
"An animal cell's nucleolus is surrounded with a nuclear membrane and swims in cytoplasm, which comprises cytosol and the organelles..." Andy is reading out loud, her voice flat and monotone. She's more into biology than me but the third hour of studying has taken its toll on both of us. We're mere minutes from falling asleep during one of our late-night study sessions before tomorrow's exam.
I sigh. They said Sophomore year wasn't going to be terrible. So far, it was hell.
I lift my gaze when I catch Andy lift her head from the corner of my eye. She sends me a tormented look, supporting her chin on her elbow. "I don't think I can take this anymore, She mumbles.
"Neither do I," I agree. I shift, my legs protesting. I haven't moved in a very long time. So long I think they've forgotten how they're supposed to work.
"I swear I'm about to fall asleep right... about... now," Andy finishes with a sigh, dropping her head. Her forehead hits the textbook lying on the bed in front of her and she lets out a groan. "Damn cells."
"Agreed," I twist sideways in the chair, swinging my legs over the armrest. My foot is wiggling to a nonexistent rhythm in my pitiful attempt to wake up. "I mean, who cares how they work so long as they work, right?"
"Right," Andy murmurs, her voice muffled. I think we both doze off for a moment then because the next thing I remember is a loud bang that jerks me awake. I quickly blink my eyes open, willing Andy's room to come to focus. I hear Andy's high-pitched shriek a second before something wet and cold splashes all over me, drenching my PJs.
"What the hell?" I yelp, looking down at myself. Lifting my gaze, I zero in on the doorway where two figures are huddled, laughing. I recognize Dylan and David, each armed with a water pistol, launching an attack on both of us. By the thrilled looks on their faces, I can tell they're having the time of their lives, splashing us with water.
"It better not be toilet water!" Andy threatens, bolting from the bed. Stomping loudly, she rushes for the door, ushering them out.
"One more time and you're dead!" She yells out into the hallway before slamming the door shut.
Turning around, her furious gaze meets mine and she falters. I'm laughing, so hard I've slid halfway off the chair and am now half-hanging from it. My reaction seems to take Andy off-guard because she stands in place, staring at me.
"What?" I manage in between snorts. "It's funny."
"It's not," Andy argues, her brows sitting low over her burning eyes. "They're both idiots and I wish they were dead."
I don't stop laughing. Holding my stomach, I look at Andy and see her resolve cracking. At first, it's just the tiniest smile grazing her lips, which next turns into a full-on grin. She lets out the first snort, then begins laughing altogether.
We keep laughing until we are both crying, our Biology textbooks forgotten.
YOU ARE READING
False Enemies
Teen Fiction*Coming home, I was positive nothing could make me sway. Little did I know there was still someone of whom one sight had me crumbling.* A year ago, I ran. Well, not literally. I got on a plane like a civilized person but the point is, I left my ho...
