Page 16

Eliana

I ’ve re-read this paper at least three times, and somehow, I was still finding small typos.

There was nothing I hated more than editing my own papers.

Other people’s work? No issues. I could spot an extra space or a misplaced comma in a nanosecond.

The same rules didn’t apply when I was proofreading my own work but I was determined to have this paper finished by tonight.

In an effort to improve my quality of work, I decide to feed my needy body.

And hopefully, brain. I search through my now not-completely-empty fridge for something I can throw together quickly.

Breakfast for dinner is always a solid option.

I make a move to pull out the eggs and bacon when I hear a knock on my door.

Throwing open the front door I glance up at the delivery guy. My first thought is that he’s hot. My second thought is that I know him. It’s crazy how the malnourished mind works. Jake Keeley is standing at my door. My nose immediately takes in the scent of melted cheese and toppings.

“I’ll take a slice or two as payment. The rest is all yours.” He extends the box out for me to take.

My eyebrows furrow together. “What are you doing here?”

“Bringing you pizza.” He shakes the box as if to say ‘Obviously.’

“Oh. Did I order this? Do you moonlight as a delivery person?”

“No? Do you have another pizza on the way?”

“No I thought maybe I had— nevermind. Weren’t you having a party tonight?”

He shrugs casually. “Yeah, party got boring. I was just in the area and figured you’d want some dinner.”

“Oh. That’s…really nice. C’mon in.” I stand back, letting him enter my apartment. He takes his shoes off by the door and heads towards the dining room table we use for our tutoring sessions.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding about spending Saturday working.” He nods his head to my laptop and the scattered papers surrounding it.

“Nope. I did not make up a ten-page paper just to get out of going to your party.” He enters my kitchen and removes two plates from the cabinet for us. “How many slices do you want?”

Him seeing me near starvation twice in one week has me feeling defensive. Guy probably thinks I can’t take care of myself. “You really don’t have to share your pizza with me. I was just about to make some dinner.”

“Oh. Well you’re welcome to get back to cooking. But this is hot and ready now. No effort required.” He winks.

I sigh because cooking sounds like work I don’t have the energy for. Guess I’m letting this man feed me twice this week. Is this normal guy friend behavior? Is bromance love language feeding each other? “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“So, two slices or three?” He’s interrupted by the sound of my stomach growling. “Let’s start with three and go from there.”

I take the plate from his hands. “Ugh Anthony’s is the best.”

The second the cheesy goodness hits my tongue, I let out a small moan.

My eyes close as I inhale my first slice and when they reopen, I find Jake staring at me.

His eyes are fixated on my face as his tongue traces his bottom lip slowly.

I feel my body heat up under his gaze. “Um, is there something on my face?” I ask, snapping him out of whatever trance he seemed to be in.

“What?” He gulps, still fixated on my lips.

“Did I get sauce on my face or something? Is that why you’re staring?”

“I wasn’t staring.” He grabs a slice for himself, shoving it in his mouth while refusing to make eye contact with me.

Though I’m still hungry after three slices I start to feel my stomach settle along with a small boost of energy I plan on using to finish the paper. I move to bring my laptop closer to me when Jake shoots me a weird look. “What is it?” I sigh .

“Are you really going to spend your entire night working?” He asks.

“I’m almost done. Just proofreading. Or at least trying too. Editing is one of my least favorite parts of writing.” He snatches my laptop from me. “What are you doing?” I reach my arms across the table in a feeble attempt to get my computer back.

“Reading over your paper.”

“That’s not necess?—”

“I may be struggling in PSYCH101, but I’m not illiterate. I can scan for typos.” He attempts to keep his tone light but I can tell I struck a nerve.

“I know you’re more than capable of helping me edit.”

“Then what’s the problem?” He asks, clearly not convinced by my response.

“I like doing things myself. And I struggle with asking people for help.”

“Ah.” He laughs to himself.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.”

I give him a look to let him know I’m not convinced.

“I guess I realized how we have a lot more in common than I thought we did and found it kinda funny.”

“What do we have in common?”

“Other than the fact that we’re both incredibly hot?” He teases.

“Don’t deflect. Especially with a compliment that strokes your own ego.”

“Fine. Fine. Your comment about how it’s hard for you to ask for help.” He points at his face. “Why do you think I let my grade tank for so long? Or why I chased off so many tutors?”

I’m intentional about my eye contact. “There’s no shame in asking for help when you’re struggling in school, Jake.”

“Just like there’s no shame in letting a friend read over your paper so you can start relaxing on a Saturday night.” He gives me a small smirk, knowing he had me there.

“But now you’re not relaxing. Seems a bit contradictory to your stance of not working on weekends, no?” I quip.

“Well you’ve helped me with my homework, so now I’m returning the favor. As a friend. Plus I already got to have my fun tonight at the party.”

“I thought you said the party was boring.”

“It was. Because you weren’t there.”

I bite my lip trying not to break out into a smile. No need to blush like a schoolgirl over some nice words, Eliana.

“See, I am capable of giving you a compliment without it being tied to me.”

“Alright. Alright. Less chatter, more editing.” I gesture to my laptop that’s still in his hands.

“Aye, Aye Sergeant.” He gives me a mock salute, turning his attention back to my laptop as he gets to work.