Page 116 of Fireworks

Chapter Thirty Eight

November

*****

Katie

Classes were intense this semester. No longer able to use the excuse of being a freshman, I had thrown myself into studying hard. There was no reason I couldn’t put in my full effort into getting perfect grades. The few hours I had free during my week, I worked at the library to make some money to chip in for rent and food.

The busier I kept my mind, the easier it was to pass out from exhaustion. I never woke up refreshed. Most nights, I cried myself to sleep. Burying my face in my pillow, hoping Ryder didn’t hear me.

She had been so happy with Paul, and I didn’t want to be a constant doom cloud following them around. I had finally masked my pain when I was out. Plastering a smile on my face, I could walk around campus making small talk with classmates with ease now. No one had noticed the hair bands snapping on my wrist every time Nate would drift into my mind. A quick snap would transfer the pain of my heart continuing to break on to my skin rather than deep inside of my soul.

“I can’t wait to be done with this class. Honestly, I have no idea how I haven’t fallen asleep on a weekly basis.”

Max and Eric complained back and forth. It had become our new routine.

“If it wasn’t for Katie giving us the overview and notes, I would be completely lost. We really owe you for that.”

I smiled, “it’s really not that hard. Just have a large coffee before you walk in the door. That’s how I stay awake.”

Max pulled me in for a hug.

“That may work for you, but I promise I’ve tried it. Doesn’t work. Are you coming to the party tonight? Supposed to be a great one before we all leave for the holidays.”

I shrugged. Usually, I followed it up with some excuse about studying or work and it pacified everyone. Today they cut me off before I thought of anything.

“Come on, Katie, you need to let loose and have fun. It’s one night. What if I promise to not drink and drive you home if you’re not having a good time?”

Erik was the sweetest guy. We had met last year at one of the frat parties I attended. His head was always shaved down to almost nothing, and black-framed glasses hid his brown eyes. Most of the time, he wore jeans and a hoodie featuring our school mascot.

Max was the complete opposite, with his blonde hair and blue eyes. He looked like he had just walked out of a fashion magazine. The first time I saw them together, I accidentally let out a laugh since they looked like they were part of a day versus night out on the town ad campaign.

They were roommates and butted heads for the first semester last year. One day, they both scored low on an exam in a class we were all in. Walking from the lecture hall, they were both bitching and realized they had something in common: how much they hated going to class. Then they met me. I helped tutor them and make sure they didn’t flunk out. They were just two of the guys that Brandon had flipped out over when he saw us together. He couldn’t understand why I needed to help them.

“Please Katie, you just have to.”

They both got down on their knees, hands clasped in front of them, pouting their bottom lips out at me.

“Will you two get up before someone thinks you’re trying to propose or something.”

Blushing, I looked around hoping no one was watching as they both made a scene. I didn’t need someone to think I was a part of some college male version of sister wives.

“Say you’ll come, and we get up.”

A few people walked by, looking at us like we had gone insane.

“Fine, I’ll go, but will you get up now?”

Ushering them up with my hands, they finally stood. Exchanging high fives, they looked pleased with themselves.

“Told you it would work.”

Smacking them both on the arm, I scolded them.

“You seriously planned that out? I need to go to my next class. You’re not planning on bursting in and causing a scene there too, are you?”

They laughed in unison.