“What are you doing here?” she whisper-shouts, the shock evident on her face.
I reach my hand through her window and place it on her waist, gently moving her out of the way. Contorting my body, I manage to get my large frame through the window and practically tumble into her bedroom.
I shut the window behind me to keep the cold from seeping in and straighten out my clothes before facing her. I try my best to throw her a stern glare and be mad at her, but it’s nearly impossible when her big brown eyes are looking up at me guiltily. It also doesn’t help that her hair is thrown up in a messy bun and she’s in her plaid pajama pants and my hoodie, looking so soft and vulnerable.
“Finch.” My voice comes out huskier than I intend it to. I swallow thickly. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
She worries her bottom lip between her teeth, giving a small shrug. “I couldn’t sleep.”
She turns and crosses her room to sit back down in her desk chair, bringing her knees up to her chest. Hugging her arms around her legs, she rests her chin on her knees, looking up at me in a way that makes my heart melt.
I walk over to her, the computer screen catching my eye. I scan the page pulled up and realize it’s one of her med school applications. Leaning in and reaching my arm around her, I grab the mouse and scroll through the application. “Is this what’s been keeping you up?”
“Part of it,” she admits sheepishly, unfolding her legs and turning around to face her computer.
I sigh, minimizing the screen. Sinking to my knees, I swivel her around to face me, placing my hands on her thighs. “Finch, you literally just got home from the hospital. You shouldn’t be worrying about this right now.”
She frowns. More like pouts. “But it’s due in almost four weeks.”
I tuck my lips in, trying to refrain from laughing. “Baby, exactly, you still have four weeks,” I remind her gently.
I watch as her cheeks redden, and she shyly looks away. It’s then I realized I slipped up and called herbaby.
She clears her throat, not meeting my gaze. “But between studying for finals, all the extra assignments, teaching Professor Cooper’s lab, tu—”
“Shh,” I cut her off. I frame her face with my hands, her soft cheeks squishing together a bit, making her look utterly adorable. “Finch, you have time. You got this. You could literally fail all of your finals and maintain your 4.0.”
She frowns. “That’s not true, and it’s not like I’m not going to try. Plus, it looks better to submit your applications early.”
“Well, how much of it have you done?” I ask, curious. I’m honestly surprised she hasn’t turned them in already.
“They’re all almost done, I’m just trying to perfect my essays. I’m scared they’re not good enough.”
“Finch,” I sigh, running my hands from her cheeks down to her shoulders. “You are the smartest person I know. Any medical school would be completely stupid not to accept you.”
I watch a hint of a smile tug at her lips.
“How about this, once you feel better, I’ll go over your essays with you and we can get these applications off your plate,” I offer.
She looks at me wearily. “No, it’s okay. The topics are stupid anyway. I’d be embarrassed to have anyone read them.”
“Really? What are the topics?”
She shrugs. “Most of them focus on explaining your biggest life struggles and what shaped you into the person you are today. The typical clichéd and impossibly hard and evasive questions.”
I nod, wishing I could relate to help her more. But since I’m gunning for the NFL, I’m not looking to enter any master’s programs. My college application days are well over. “Well, if you need me, I’m here.”
She gives me a small, appreciative smile. “Thanks, Bronx.”
“Anytime,” I say, standing. I extend my hand to her. “Now let’s get you to bed.”
Reluctantly, she grabs my hand and stands from her chair. I walk her to her bed and flip down the covers, taking off my shoes and crawling in first. She stands at the edge of the bed, looking at me skeptically.
“Come on, Finch. I don’t bite.” I chuckle, patting the space next to me in her queen-size bed.
“You’re staying the night?”
“Probably not the whole night, but just long enough to make sure you actually go to bed.”
