“Nigel fromThe Wild Thornberrys. Didn’t you watch that show growing up?” she asks.
I shrug. “I guess not.”
Growing up, I had limited access to TV. I had limited access to a lot of things since my mom preferred to blow her money on drugs instead of bills for basic utilities and necessities. Half the time—between living in trashy apartments owned by her drug addict boyfriends and me living in foster homes—we squatted in run-down, abandoned houses on the outskirts of town just to have some sort of roof over our heads.
“Oh, well, the guy has a huge nose.” She laughs. “Hey, were you able to get a lab manual for his class? I heard the bookstore messed up and only had enough in stock for about half the class. Supposedly they ordered more but they’re on back order for, like, three weeks.”
I let out a bitter chuckle. “No, they were already out by the time I picked up my books. Not even my lab partner was able to get one, so I guess we’re screwed for the next couple of weeks.”
Chase just so happens to be my lab partner for Willford’s class. We plotted out our schedules so we’d have as many classes as possible together this semester.
“Well, if you need one, I think I still have mine somewhere. Just let me know and I can find it and lend it to you. Fair warning, though, it has some highlighting and writing in the margins. Hopefully you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” I grin. “Thanks, Finch.”
She blushes. “No problem.”
Professor Hobb walks in, her clogs clacking against the linoleum floor. “All right, class,” she begins, silencing everyone. “Did we all read those poems that were assigned the other day?”
Olivia glances at me curiously, teasingly.
I flash her a thumbs-up before tapping my temple, signaling to her that I have them memorized, earning me a smile.
>> <<
“Are you coming to the game this weekend?” I ask Olivia as we walk out of the language arts building after class.
She shakes her head. “No. I promised Delilah I’d go shopping with her to pick out a dress for her cousin’s wedding.”
“Oh, that sounds fun,” I say, trying to hide the disappointment in my tone.
She lets out a huffed laugh. “You’ve clearly never been shopping with Delilah, then. Sometimes, I think I’d rather experience a root canal than spend hours on end trying to help her settle on a dress. Plus, I’ve never actually been to a college football game before.”
I stop in my tracks for dramatic effect. “You’ve never been to a game?” I ask, shocked. “It’s your senior year and you’re telling me you’ve never been to a football game? Not even during homecoming?”
She shakes her head, her cheeks tinging pink. “I know nothing about football, why would I go?”
“Finch, Finch, Finch.” Itsk, shaking my head. “It’s part of the college experience! That’s it, it’s official, you’re going to a game this season, even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming.”
She looks at me doubtfully. “I’d have no clue what’s going on.”
I drape my arm over her shoulders. “What did I tell you the first day we met? I’ll teach you. If you can ace every science class on this campus, you can pick up football.”
Again, she looks at me with doubt. “We’ll see.”
“Have some faith in me, Finch.” I chuckle, walking her to the parking lot to find Delilah so she can get a ride home.
Visit this link to discover what Olivia is feeling right now.
Six
Home
I wake up around noon, skipping my Monday morning classes and even lunch to sleep in. The game Saturday night was brutal but we ended up pulling out a win for the first game of the season. Then the parties afterward were even more brutal, and my head throbs as soon as I sit up in my bed to rub the sleep from my eyes.
After much procrastination and a heavy sigh, I force myself to get up. Finding some aspirin sitting on top of my desk, I down two pills with a bottle of water before grabbing my towel and shower caddy, and dragging ass down the hall to the showers.
I spend about ten minutes in the shower, half that time spent just standing under the hot spray of water to try to soothe my aching muscles. Once I’m out of the shower, I slip into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, shrug on my backpack, and head toward the language arts building.
