2. Gemma
2
Gemma
I sit in class, gripping my coffee until my hand begins to burn. My eyes feel so incredibly heavy. I notice Olivia’s eyes on me and immediately feel self-conscious and guilty. It’s like Olivia knows from looking at me that I went against my personal rule of not partying on school nights. She already doesn’t like how Gavin treats me, so this is sure to end up in another lecture. I sigh. I don’t think I have the mental energy for one of those lectures today. Damn, hangover.
A deep voice cuts through my thoughts. “This is a rather large project that you must take seriously if you want to pass my class.” Oh shit. I have not been paying much attention to the monotone voice of my biology professor. This is sure to backfire later. Ugh, is he really still talking? Focus, Gemma! “And then you will need to record this research in a location that will be easily accessible. You will need to refer back to it frequently throughout the semester as you progress through the steps you wrote down,” my professor continues.
Huh? Oh! The board is covered in writing. Was I sleeping? What project is he even talking about? When is it due? How much effect does it have on my grade? I already feel behind. Damn Gavin and his party. Why couldn’t he have just gone with the dinner and movie date I had asked for? Why do I always believe him when he promises me an early night? I glance at my watch and start scribbling notes down from the board. My pencil makes squealing sounds as I rush to beat the end of class that is drawing near. Maybe Olivia will take pity on me and help me out again.
“You didn’t catch any of that, did you?” Olivia asks me as we step outside into the bright sun.
“No, I didn’t,” I pout before I fall into my story about how frustrating Gavin was last night and how the girly gossip saved me but at the expense of my head today. Olivia listens patiently as I deliver my whining excuses, but she is not impressed in the least.
So, I resign myself to padding beside Olivia as she delivers the lecture she had most likely been rehearsing during class. But to my surprise, when Olivia is done with her speech, she tells me to check my iPad. Bless her heart. Olivia has already airdropped her notes. I knew it was a good idea to talk her into using my favorite notes app so that we could share files back and forth. I feel my heart fill with warmth. I don’t know what I did to deserve to have Olivia in my life. But I sure am thankful that I can always count on her.
Later that day, I find myself rolling my eyes at the texts I’m getting from party-obsessed Gavin.
Gav: Stop being so booorrring
Gav: Gem come on