Not good. This is not good.

I tap my foot anxiously on the floor as I recount how many pills I have left. Shit. This won't last until finals. Midterms, maybe. I glance back up at my computer screen to check the time. Crap. It's already 6 am? There's no point in sleeping, breakfast starts in an hour anyway. Okay, that's fine. I'll just power through the day.

Opening up my email account, I attach three versions of my essay answer and send it off to my dad. I hope he won't be mad that I didn't send them last night; eight hours late isn't a big deal. At least I did it. Of course, I did it. I can do anything.

If there's a will, there's a fucking way.

The autumn sun shines through my window as I get up and change into leggings and slip on a pair of runners. I perch down on Max's empty bed as I tie my shoelaces. She's probably still sleeping in her king-sized bed. Lucky bitch.

No. No negativity. Positive thoughts only. A runner's high, that's what I need. Hopefully, the endorphins will keep me going until after classes end. I grab a sweatshirt from my dresser before heading downstairs to the track.

Crisp air nips at my skin as I swing open the emergency exits. Immediately, my gaze darts towards the faint chatter coming from the parking lot.

"Keep the change, mate," Ollie slurs, slamming the door of the cab shut. He runs a hand through his hair, a mischievous grin forming on his face as he notices me. "Uh oh, busted." He holds out his hands, pressing his wrist together. "I surrender, Officer. Take me to jail." He pauses, tossing me a wink. "Rough me up if you want, I can take it."

"Oh my God, are you drunk?" I ask, the scent of liquor permeating the air as he takes a step closer to me. "Ollie, it's like 6 am. We have class in a couple of hours, what were you thinking?"

"Correction, I was drunk several hours ago," Oliver counters. "Now I'm just stoned." He loses his balance for a second, letting out a laugh. "Okay, perhaps I'm a tad wasted." He gives me a quick once-over. "Why are you awake so early? Going for a little jog, are we?"

"Have you slept?" I ask, scanning his glazed-over eyes.

"Have you?" he asks, arching down so that we're face to face. "You look tired, love. Did you stay up all night?"

"We're not talking about me right now," I state, side-stepping him as I check my watch. "You have two hours before class, go take a nap...and a shower. You reek like booze."

"Nah, I'm not tired," he says, suppressing a yawn. "I'll think I'll join you for a run, get the old heart pumping, you know."

"Run? You can barely stand," I say, popping in my headphones as I head towards the track. "Go to bed, Oliver."

"I can sleep when I'm dead," he says, jogging up behind me. "So, Kennedy, how was your weekend? Do anything interesting?"

"You're seriously going to run laps with me?" I ask, entering the field. "God, you're stubborn."

"One of my many admirable traits," Oliver smirks, spinning around and running backward.

I roll my eyes, keeping a steady pace. "You're going to fall."

"Me? Nonsense! I'm like a cat, excellent balance," he boasts with a cocky smile. "So, how was your weekend? Did you finish your essays?"

"Yeah, I did, but now I have to rush my history project so that's going to be fun," I groan, rounding the track. "And I still need to approve the catering for Homecoming and meet with decorators on Wednesday."

"Busy girl," Ollie muses, somehow still running backward. Liquid courage at its finest. "So guess what?"

"What?"

"We played our first show on Saturday."

"Yeah? How'd that go?" I ask, wiping a sheen of sweat from my forehead.

"We killed it," Ollie says with a lopsided grin. "And then we celebrated...for two days."

"Ah," I hum. "Went on a little bender?"

"We took a couple of breaks," he says, catching his breath. "But yeah, it was good times. You should come hang next week. Meet the lads."

"Yeah, I don't have time for benders, Ollie, but thanks for the invite," I snort as we approach the track and field course. "You might want to turn around now."

"I'm not going to fall, love, don't worry," he laughs.

"Oliver, seriously, watch out-" I stop, covering my mouth as Oliver trips, his body flipping over a low hurdle. "Oh my God, are you okay?" I ask, laughing into my hands as he groans, writhing on the rubber track. "Ollie?"

"Fucking fuck!" he grunts, wincing as the sun beats down on his face. "Who the fuck leaves hurdles in the middle of the bloody road?"

"Road? Do you even know where we are right now?" I blink at the idiot sprawled out on the ground. "Ollie, get up."

"I can't, I'm injured! I need a nurse," he whines, slapping his forearm over his face. "Oh, nurse, Kennedy! Help me! I've fallen and I can't get up."

I snort. "Why don't you just stay down there, take a little nap, okay? I'll wake you up in a few laps."

"Sleep outside? Like an animal?" he murmurs.

"Well, you're a cat, remember? Cats sleep outside." I take off my hoodie and toss it on his face. "Here, now you have a pillow."

"Mmm," Oliver hums, balling the hoodie up and propping it under his head. "Smells nice."

"Go to sleep, Ollie," I say, restarting his happy music playlist.

"Okay," he concedes. "Just for like five minutes though. Only five minutes."

"Sure," I say, tapping his foot with mine. What a mess. "Do you want some water or anything?"

Oliver doesn't respond, his chest rising and falling.

I smile, peering down at him.

God, he's ridiculous.

***

"Boo!" Max exclaims, sneaking up behind me. "Finally found you!"

"Shit!" I whimper, my heart hammering in my chest. "Why do you do that?" I look around the library. "And keep your voice down."

"Sorry," she whispers, rolling her eyes as she plops down in the chair beside me. "Whatcha doing?"

"Well, I was doing math homework but I'm sensing that's over," I say, closing my textbook. "What's up, Max?"

"Nothing really," she hums, fiddling with one of my highlighters. "Just wanted to say hi. I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."

"We're roommates, Max," I say, checking the time. "I see you every day."

"I know but I miss like hanging out with you, you're always so fucking busy."

A wave of guilt washes over me. "I'm sorry, Max," I say. "I'll have more free time after Homecoming. That's taken more effort to plan than I originally thought."

"What about the game?" Max asks, pulling out her phone and replying to a text. "Fel and Leon want to pre-drink. You're coming right?"

I grimace. "Yeah, I don't really care for football so I'm good."

"Kenny, come on!" Max whines. "Everyone's going! It'll be fun! Where's your team spirit? You used to love going to games. Go Huskies Go! Go Huskies Go!"

"I never loved football, Max, I loved-" I grunt, rubbing my eyes. "I just don't want to go, okay? I have better things to do than sit in the cold watching boys tackle each other for three hours."

"Dude, just come," Max begs, clasping her hands. "We don't even have to watch the game, we can just hang and drink. Fel and Leon miss you a butt tonne. Please?"

"No, Max, I don't-"

"Ladies," Oliver coos, appearing out of nowhere and hopping on the table.

"Oliver, excellent," Max states, crossing her arms. "Can you please tell your girlfriend to stop being a little recluse and come to the game on Friday?"

"No can do," Oliver says, clicking his tongue. "I find spectator sports to be utterly barbaric. Unfit for civilized persons. If I were President, I would ban them altogether." He waves his finger in the air. "Say no to sports!"

"You've got my vote," I chuckle. "Ollie for President."

"Dude, shut up," Max scoff, rolling her eyes. "Kenny told me you're in a fucking rock band. Doesn't get more barbaric than that."

"And I'm also a hypocrite," he says in a light tone, winking at Max. "Perfect presidential material, don't you think?"

"All you need is a couple of sexual harassment accusations and you're golden," I say, grinning up at him.

"You both fucking suck," Max says, tossing us a scowl. "Fine, don't come but I expect you to get shit-faced at Homecoming, okay?"

"Kenny? Getting shit-faced? Dream on, Maxine. We all know she'll have one cooler and pass out."

We turn our heads toward Corrine's shrill voice. Great.

"Oh my God, Corn!" Max grabs her chest, pretending to sniffle. "I'm so proud of you. I never thought this day would come! Kudos to you for never giving up!"

"What?" Corrine asks, narrowing her eyes.

Max waves around the library. "It's just so rare to see you in a room that doesn't have a bed in it! Look at you, expanding your horizons!"

"Wow, you're so funny, Max," Corrine scoffs. "You know you're not allowed to slut-shame girls anymore, right? I could cancel you so fucking hard."

"Oh, sweetie, I'm not shaming you for being a slut, I'm praising you!" Max retorts. "I can't imagine the amount of time and effort it takes to reel in all these guys. It's a talent if anything!"

"Max, sto-" I begin to say but it's too late.

Unstoppable object. Immovable force.

"At least guys want to sleep with me, you fucking charity case," Corrine snaps. Oh, crap. "If it weren't for dumb luck your mom would still be collecting cans to buy you instant noodles for dinner. Fucking peasant."

"What did you say?!" Max jumps up, lunging at Corrine. "You fucking bitch!"

"Woah!" I stand up, getting between Corrine and Max. My heart hammers in my chest as they swat at each other like feral cats. "What are you guys doing? Stop it!"

"Oi!" Ollie whistles hopping off the table and pulling Maxine away, his expression completely aghast. "Simmer the fuck down!"

"Come at me again and I'll fucking kill you," Corrine spits, her breathing rapid. "I dare you!"

"Corrine, just go," I say, taking a step to the side and readjusting my uniform. "Please?"

"Oh fuck off, Kennedy, why don't you go call your mommy!" Corrine sneers, slamming her shoulder against mine as she walks past me. She turns around, her gaze cold. "Oh that's right, you can't! Boo-fucking-hoo!"

My jaw clenches. Ignore it. Ignore her. Don't react. Don't cry. Taking a deep breath, I lean against the table, shaking my head at Max.

"Why?" I ask as Oliver finally lets go of her. "Why do you antagonize her? You know how she gets."

"'Cause she's a fucking bitch," Max says, grabbing her phone off of the table. "I'm going to the common room, see you around."

"Max!" I call out but she doesn't turn around. I close my eyes. "Fuck."

"You good?" Ollie asks.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say, collecting my textbooks. "Just another day in the office."

"Quite a hostile work environment if you ask me," he says, tilting his head. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yup, just counting down the days," I whisper, forcing a smile. "I'll see you around. I gotta go pick up my costume."

"Alright," he says, walking me out of the library. "Catch you later then."

"Bye," I sigh, heading back to my dorm.

Just a few more months.

_________________

Yes, these girls are mean. Yes, they're not PC. Trust the process, folks.

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