Late Night Studying Pt. deux

The next morning, being Wednesday, I only had one class, and it was in late afternoon, so I woke up around one. Rubbing my eyes on the way to the bathroom, I stubbed my toe on the computer desk, and hopped around on one foot for the next 5 minutes, mumbling 'ow'. What a great start to the most nerve-racking day of my life. I stumbled into the shower, and took about an hour, using all the products I had at my disposal. I wanted to look, smell and feel my very best.1

Later that afternoon I emerged from my french class muttering broken phrases that I wanted nothing more than to murmur in Jacob's ear, "Je suis a vous, mon cher, mon amour...je t'aime, je t'adore..." I let out a sigh. If only. Around six I was starting to get jittery. What to wear? How should I act? Should I shower again? To the latter I decided yes, and took another long shower to clear my head.  At 6:45 I opened the door to the bathroom along with a large cloud of steam, and proceeded to blow-dry my honey colored mane. My crowning glory, if you will. And the only one, I thought bitterly. 2

Clothing-wise, I decided on a tight(ish) white tank top that showed off my considerable assets, and a navy blue mini...I have great legs. Or so others tell me. So all in all, I looked great, but utterly overdressed for a study session with a near stranger. Oh well. 3

At 7:55 I made my way down the crowded south hallway. Narrowly avoiding a lacrosse player in full uniform, I looked up to see Jacob's head poking out of the room at the end of the hall. I moved a bit quicker. 4

"Hello," I said as I knocked on the doorframe of room 409. Jacob was spread-eagle out on his bed, reading a book, looking very much as if he hadn't just been looking out the door, anticipating my arrival. 5

"Oh, hey," he said, closing his book and sitting up. "What's goin on?"6

I tried for a bit of professionalism, and failed miserably. I had a huge grin on my face as I said, "Not much, wanna get started?"7

He had a matching grin as he gestured toward his bed. "Sure, everything's here. Have a seat." A seat. On his bed. After shutting the door, I perched carefully on the corner of his (very soft)bed.8

Hours later, both of us were sprawled on our stomachs, me pointing out vocabulary, him not understanding a damned thing. Ten o clock came and went, then eleven, twelve...finally 2 am rolled around and I realized there was no more work. Shutting the book, I rolled over on my back, half asleep and full to bursting with useless information. 9

"God damn I hate biology...its worse now than in high school," I exclaimed wearily.10

"I know the feeling," Jacob replied. 11

I stood up and straightened my clothes. With some effort, I attempted my goodbyes. "Guess I better get going, go get some rest and all that...you should too."12

Quietly he agreed, "Yeah, guess so." I stood there for a second, hoping it wasn't really the eternity I thought, and half thinking he would tell me to wait, when I turned to go. I was at the door when I heard his soft voice, "Wait."13

I was totally confused, and when I looked back towards Jacob, he had a silly grin on his face. 14

"I forgot something," he said, rather cocky. "I suppose I owe you something for your help." 15

"Such as," I asked, lost. 16

"This." And without warning, Jacob's strong arms were around me, and he whispered in my ear, "Thanks, I apprieciate this more than you know." Ho-ly shit. He was hugging me! I inhaled deeply. His shoulder(the only part of him I could reach) smelled like the woods at night. Such a lovely musk...mmmm. 17

After what seemed an hour, I left the protective circle of his arms. "What was that for?" I asked with a half smile on my face. 18

He stood like a deer in headlights for a minute, like he had something to tell me, but was too chicken. Finally, he shook his head and said, "God, I feel like such a fucking moron. I can't even tell a gorgeous girl that I like her. "19

Wait a minute. Rewind. Gorgeous?? Like??? \ME???\ Shock is a total and utter understatement to what went  through my head. My jaw dropped nearly to the floor, for two very good reasons. One, gorgeous is not a word normally attributed to me, as I am hopelessly overweight, and as a result of that, I had a period in high school where I cut. So scarred, yes. Moderately pretty, maybe. Gorgeous....no. And two, this was coming out of JACOB'S mouth. So I was wondering what had been put in his drink. 20

Noting my apparent speechlessness, and misconstruing it for distaste, Seth began spouting apologies. "I know you don't feel the same, but I just wanted you to know-"21

I put up a hand to silence him. "I think that I should show you how I feel, since your assumption is so far wrong," I said with a raised eyebrow. Reaching up, I cupped the back of his neck and brought his lips down to mine.22