I exit the dorms first thing the next morning, not well rested at all. I follow the rest of the zombielike students across campus to classes.

"Wait up, Abby!"

I groan, not ready for human interaction this early. Chase comes running up beside me, looking more than ready to conquer the day.

"Be my partner in The Cuddling Game."

I stop in my tracks, analyzing his expression to see if he is serious or not.

He is.

"I'm sorry, but as I stated yesterday, I have a boyfriend."

I maneuver around him. He's persistent. He follows close behind me.

"But you said he wouldn't do it."

"Still. Doesn't mean that I should cuddle with somebody else for a day."

"But you owe me."

"For what?"

"I wrote your term paper senior year."

"That was years ago."

"I bet the college administrators would be very interested to hear that your A+ paper wasn't even written by you."

All my movements grind to a halt.

"You're going to blackmail me into participating in this contest?"

His grin gives the answer away, but he still states it.

"Yep."

"You son of a b-"

"Good morning, Abigail. Did you have a restful night?"

Chase steps in before I can answer.

"Not really. I kept this wild thing up all night. You should have heard the no-"

"No! He's lying, Jonathan. He's just being a jerk."

Jonathan is still looking at me like I did something wrong.

"And who are you, exactly?"

"I'm an old friend of Abby's and her partner for The Cuddling Game."

Now Jonathan is getting mad. He looks over at me, holding back his rage.

"You're going to cuddle with another man?"

Chase is mouthing the words 'term paper' behind Jonathan. This leaves me no choice but to accept.

"Yes, but it's only for the money. It's meaningless, Jonathan. I promise."

He's still visibly angry with the whole situation but he gives in for the time being.

"If that is how you would like to spend your Saturday, fine. How about dinner on Sunday night?"

If the contest is over by then...

"Of course! I'd love to go to dinner with you on Sunday."

In a weird attempt to display dominance, Jonathan presses his lips against mine.

Something he only does when we are in the private of his small apartment.

He shoots a glare in Chase's direction before walking off to class. I punch Chase in the arm.

"That's my boyfriend you jerk!"

He's shocked by my statement.

"That's your boyfriend? Come on, Abby. I expected you to have the fun and eccentric boyfriend someday. Not Mr. Cookie- Cutter-Perfection."

"My relationship with Jonathan is none of your business. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be late to class."

I walk briskly away from him. He shouts after me.

"I'll go to your place later!"