12. Chapter 12
Ispend the next few days sulking about my failed hike, but as Thursday draws nearer, I perk up. It’s hard not to when you know your favorite professor is going to be spotlighting you because she thinks you’re brilliant. The fact that she asked me to help solidifies my standings for the internship.
I work hard to contain my excitement as Professor St. James announces the study group. “Since so many of you seemed to struggle with that last exam, I have decided to put together a peer-led study group. The group will meet in this room every Friday afternoon at five p.m., and the first one will be tomorrow.”
Grumblings filter through the air. It is very last minute, but the professor and I decided the sooner we can start the better. Naturally, I’m completely prepared. I’ve already compiled the information from all the past lectures this semester, made the presentation materials, and read through my notes out loud several times to ensure I’ve got it down.
I’m going to knock this study group out of the park.
Professor St. James continues. “This will be a chance to review the information from class, maybe with a different perspective since it will be delivered by someone who isn’t me.”
I hear a few chuckles, and annoyance flares in me. It’s not a funny topic. These people are failing and the professor is simply trying to give them another chance to succeed. How is that comical?
“Two of your fellow classmates have graciously agreed to?”
Wait. Did she say “two?” She didn’t mention asking anyone else to help. And who would that be? She said only two other people aside from me passed, and one was just barely. Who is the other person?
“So...” Dr. St. James’ voice reels me back in. “I would encourage you to attend these study sessions, and be sure to thank your study leaders, Brynn and Sam.”
As soon as his name leaves her lips, my stomach drops so fast, I feel like I might vomit all over my desk.
Sam? As in, Sam Eastman? As in the one person on the face of this planet I’ve been trying to avoid for the last several weeks?
This has to be a mistake. Surely, she misspoke. I mean, if I’m getting a ninety-seven percent on my exams, then I don’t need anyone to help me with the study group. I’m more than capable of delivering the information myself.
Ugh, I might actually be sick.
When class is over, I stop at the professor’s desk on my way out. “Um, Dr. St. James? Can I talk to you?”
“Sure, Brynn,” she says over her shoulder as she cleans the whiteboard.
“It’s about the study group.”
She turns around, confusion and panic on her face. “What about it? You can still do it, right?”
I nod. “Yes, but about Sam...”
“What’s wrong with him?” Sam asks as he sidles up next to me. As soon as his lavender and sage scent wafts across the small space between us, a flutter runs through me.
I don’t look at him, but shift my stance to take a step away. “I thought it was just me doing the group.”
“That was my initial plan, yes.” Professor St. James puts the dry-eraser down and joins us at her desk. “But it is a lot of work for one person. So, when Sam offered his help, I thought you could lighten the load by splitting it up.”
“Oh, so like, I’ll be doing one session, then Sam does the next one? We’ll be switching off?” I’m disappointed by the waver in my voice, like I’m pleading instead of inquiring. Probably because I am.
Professor St. James shakes her head. “You’ll be working together every week. That will ensure you’re both on the same page as far as what information has been covered and can work together to field any questions the class may have.”
A frown works its way onto my face.
“Again,” she says, “this is a lot of work. I want to make this as easy on you as possible.”
By pairing me up with the most infuriating jackass in the world? How is that making it easy? “I appreciate that, but I know the information backward and forward. I think I can handle it on my own.”
Sam clears his throat, and I bristle. He’s been so quiet, I forgot he was here. “It’s not just about the info, Brynn.”
“That’s right,” Professor St. James chimes in. “Sam said he’s proficient with a wide range of computer programs and applications, which you’ve told me you struggle with.”
I clench my jaw. She’s right. I do a lot of things well, but technology isn’t one of them. “Okay, fair, but?”
“Listen, Brynn.” The professor holds up her hand. “I really do appreciate you heading up this group, but I also don’t see the point in you doing it all yourself. You’re brilliant, but you have an equally as brilliant classmate who can make your life easier, technologically speaking.”
I glance at Sam, sneering.
“Yes, Brynn. Sam is the other person who passed the exam. With a ninety-eight percent, nonetheless.”
That one percent makes me ball my fists. I bite out an acceptance of Dr. St. James’ words, and all but storm out. I don’t want to make a scene, but if I stand here any longer, I’ll scream.
I’m not more than twenty feet down the hall when Sam runs up behind me. “Hey, Brynn, wait up.”
I don’t acknowledge him as I keep walking.
“Should we talk about the study group for tomorrow? We don’t have much time to get our ducks in a row.” He laughs, but I don’t. “Brynn?”
My name rolling off his tongue echoes in the recesses of my brain, like he’s a million miles away. The hallway stretches before me. If I take one step forward, it pushes me two steps back.
“Brynn?”
I stop on a dime as his voice rips through my consciousness.
Sam halts after a few more steps, turning around to face me. “Brynn? Hey, what’s up?”
“What’s up? What’s up!?” If looks could kill, my fiery gaze would burn a hole right through him. “What’s up is you always having to eclipse me.”
A crease forms between his eyebrows as his eyes dart back and forth across my face. “Care to explain?”
“The bull, the O-Chem exam, the hike”?I hold out my fingers as I count?“and now, you’re commandeering my study group.”
“Let me get this straight.” He pinches the bridge of his nose as he puts a hand on his hip. “You’re pissed that I’m more successful than you?”
Fire rages through me. “No,” I say in a quiet snarl. “I’m pissed because you keep trying to one-up me.”
“Okay, how the hell does the hike count as me trying to ‘one-up’ you? I’m not even in a hiking class!”
Huffing, I fold my arms. “Because you used the opportunity to tear me down by picking apart every little thing I did wrong. I can’t wait to see all your wonderful comments.”
Sam opens his mouth, but I don’t give him the chance to speak.
“And flaunting your one-percent lead on my exam grade? That’s the bitter icing on the cake.”
“I flaunted what now?”
I take a step toward him, my finger pointed and headed straight for his chest. “You, Sam Eastman, are a thorn in my side. You lie your way into my life, and then once you get here, you keep stepping on me to get ahead.”His face twists from confusion into anger. “Hey, Brynn. Did you ever think that maybe this isn’t all about you?”
I swallow down the sour taste at the back of my throat.
“The hike was a way for me to earn extra credit. That’s it. I know I gave you a lot of flack, but fuck, all I wanted was to not work so hard in my first aid class.” He puts both hands on his hips before running one through his hair. “And I’m sorry if I’m one percent smarter than you in O-Chem. That wasn’t planned.”
I let out a sassy snort.
“Okay, I’ll give you the bull thing. I was trying to one-up you there, but as far as the study group goes? I’m not trying to ‘commandeer’ anything. I heard the professor tell you the study group would look good on your internship application, and I saw an opportunity.”
With one arm still wrapped around my middle, I tighten my grip on myself as I shake. “You’re not applying for that,” I bite out.
“You bet your ass I am. Why do you think I moved down here? It wasn’t for the luscious Greeley scenery, I’ll tell you that.”
My nostrils flare as anger seethes from my every pore. “That spot is mine.”
“Don’t be so sure.” His arrogance is astounding. “Buckle up, sweetheart. I don’t give up easily.”
I clench my jaw. “Neither do I.”
“Good. I like a challenge.” His tone lowers, turning gritty. Stepping forward, he presses his firm chest into my trembling finger. “And I didn’t have to lie to get into your life. You were all too willing to let me into that, and your panties, all on your own.”
With a deep, guttural growl, I spin on my heel and sprint down the hallway. That does it, Sam Eastman. You’ve made yourself an enemy.