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By pure coincidence Henry and I ended up at the same college. After the fall out with my last career I decided to pursue my passion, English and henry of course is majoring in business. Even though we are in different majors we still have basic general classes we have to take such as Math and English which no one can escape from. I consider them my easier classes so when there is free time I choose to work on other class work like right now especially since it’s finals.
I have my headphones in while I work. This fifteen page essay won't write itself and the amount of research I have to do is insane. I know I'll get the best score in my class especially since Henry isn't in the class but I have to make sure each paper I submit is better than the last to continue this gap and stay in first place. Plus the more I know the better.
About 15 minutes into his free time I feel a presence sit next to me, Henry. He’s as handsome as he has ever been. He lets his hair down more often than not. He still insists on dressing like he already owns his fathers company, which to be fair he already does. I reach to grab for my eraser at the same time Henry's hand reaches for it. He has a hold on the eraser as he erases the line I messed up on.
Henry starts to talk and its like a dream. I am caught in his familiar, comforting presence. His lips are moving but I can’t hear a thing until it dawns on me that I still have my ear plugs in. I quickly snatch them out of my ear.
“What did you say?”
“I said” He murmured, leaning in closer ‘Lets take a break.”
I shook my head “Absolutely not, do you know how many papers I need to write before the end of the week?”
“You have 4 which you're very capable of doing any other day” His posh British accent infuriates me, mostly because it’s true.
“I just want to make sure it’s perfect ” we both say at the end
“What If I wanted to hang out with you without our time being spent studying?” When was the last time we went on a date without studying? Two weeks, maybe three? We both took our education seriously so it makes sense if that much time has passed. But when it’s finals I put off a lot of things, not just Henry. Sometimes I even skipped meals.
“You might want to choose a different day” I say, turning back to my notes. “We’re already technically studying together even if you're not”
“Can tomorrow be our day? We both don't have classes on Wednesday.” Henry's voice lowers as if he has lost hope that I might say yes. I sigh but mumble a “Mm” in agreement.
“Hmm what was that?” I can feel Henry smirking at me already. I want to look up and see it for myself but I can’t let him win this one sided battle.
“Yes” I whisper.
“One more time, a little louder”
“I said yes Henry!” I blurted out louder than what is considered an inside voice and a few heads turn my way. He laughs and I instantly snap my head towards Henry and shoot him an accusatory look before the blush creeps up my cheeks and I look down at my desk. I hear him clear his throat before he speaks again.
“Alice, I'm sorry.” I turn towards him, my annoyance easing slightly.
“I just really appreciated your enthusiasm towards our date” Just when I was warming up to him again. I start to pack my things up, deciding that heading to a quieter place is more convenient for study instead of this rather rowdy classroom.
“Wait Alice!” He caught my hand holding my pencil case. “Don't go! I promise I’ll stop the teasing.”
He holds out our favorite candy as a peace offering. I graciously accept about to sit back in my chair when henry pulls me gently onto his lap.
“Can we just stay like this?” he asked softly.
After the difficult time I’ve given him I finally let myself relax. I leaned into him, laying my head on his chest for the remainder of the class period.