"Wait, what?" Bree's reaction was identical to the ones my news elicited from the girls the other night.

"Yeah. It's pretty unbelievable. They're nothing alike personality wise. I was definitely shocked when I first found out." I wasn't planning on telling Bree and Will Elijah's business - at least not right away - but I felt they deserved to know after Natalie was so cold and blatantly rude at dinner after the race.

"Wow. I was not expecting that." Will shook his head in astonishment.

"I thought she was acting really weird, especially towards you. She really pissed me off with those financial aid remarks." Bree scoffed as she continued to type on her laptop.

"Yeah, that really upset me. I'm sorry she made you guys uncomfortable."

"Hey, don't let her get to you. She's just a bully, and she wants to get in your head. Don't give her what she wants." Will patted my shoulder before running out on his mission to get us snacks as we continued to work on finding preliminary supporting evidence for a professor's study. Will was our designated runner. Whenever we needed anything, he was the one to rush to our aid.

"Also, don't apologize. It's not your fault. It just stinks that you have to see her again. She's not just your boyfriend's friend's girlfriend who you can avoid at all costs. Anyway, let's not give her any more attention. She doesn't deserve our time." I couldn't help but blush when she called Elijah my boyfriend. I don't think anyone's ever said it out loud before. It almost doesn't sound real.

I have a boyfriend. Eeek!

"Yeah, you're right. It's not worth the stress." The comfortable humdrum of typing and pages flipping filled the room once again.

Things were quiet and peaceful for a few more minutes before I looked up from my files to see Bree smirking to herself.

She caught me smiling at her questioningly and started to giggle and act all bubbly.

"Is everything alright?" I chuckled and dropped my pen on the paperwork laid out in front of me. After adjusting myself in my chair, so I was facing her with my chin resting in my palm and my elbow leaning on my crossed leg, I continued my line of questioning. "Bree..." My singsongy voice gave me flashbacks to one of Elizabeth and the girls' interrogations when they were trying to get every drop of "Elijah news" out of me. "It looks to me like you have something to say." A smirk was plastered on my face as I waited for her to share what was making her act so strange.

I gathered that Will's absence had something to do with her sudden change in behavior.

She looked at the door to make sure we were really alone.

"I have a question." She was looking down at her hands in her lap.

"Shoot." I had trouble fighting my wide grin.

"Do you think it would be weird if I asked Will out on a date? I know I've only really known him for a little while, but I think he's really cute and charming and sweet and nerdy and funny." She swiveled side to side in her chair as her question came tumbling out. Then, she bit her lip, awaiting my response.

"Aww! Bree, I think that's a great idea." I now wore a full-on toothy smile. "You know, I caught his arm around you at the meet last week. You guys were getting really close. I'm sure he likes you."

"Really?" Her face morphed into one of surprise as a slight redness crept onto her cheeks. I never pictured Bree as the type who blushes. She was always so confident, and the fact that she wanted to ask Will out proved that further. But I guess when it comes to crushes and romantic feelings, everyone is affected. "It's just that we work together, so I don't want things to be awkward if he doesn't like me like that after all."

"Bree, I see how he looks at you. I think he wants to ask you out, but he's probably too shy and nervous to do it. Take it from someone who is usually both of those things." We giggled together until we heard what sounded like something falling from down the hall. Will returned with bags of fruit snacks and pretzels hanging from his mouth and hands along with juice from the vending machine almost overflowing from the cradle his arms created.

"You need to tell me how everything goes. I really do think the feelings between you are mutual." My whisper was almost inaudible, and I knew Will couldn't hear anyway with all the crinkling and dropping that was coming from him by the door.

"I hope so. Thanks, Sara." Bree smiled before jumping up from her seat and rushing to help Will unload his goods.

↞↠

"So, what did you think? Hard? Easy? Did you fall asleep because it was so easy that you breezed right through it and finished in the first five minutes?" Elijah had his arm wrapped around my shoulders as we left the classroom. We had just taken our first big test of the semester, and the post-stress relief was starting to hit me.

"I didn't think it was too bad. Some of the questions were based on information we didn't learn in class, but that was expected. Everything we needed was in the chapters we were assigned, so I think it was fair."

"I agree." He squeezed me closer into his side as we walked. "We should study together more often." He spoke lowly by my ear before kissing my cheek.

"Let's just see how often we'll be able to get the girls out of the suite for some uninterrupted peace and quiet. That was a rarity that probably won't keep recurring." We chuckled at that, knowing that we wouldn't accomplish much with the girls checking on us every five minutes to see what we're up to.

"We can always go to my place, you know." I looked up to my left to see Elijah smiling down at me, his gorgeous eyes gazing into mine to gauge my reaction.

"I think that would be nice. I'd love to see where you live. But we can only study there if its quiet." Somehow, I doubted that would be the case after meeting Braxton, but I was open to giving it a chance.

"Hey, why don't we go over there right now and work on the next batch of outlines. You know, get a head start. I don't have practice until five tonight, so we'd have a good five hours to work. That's if you want to, of course." He looked at me again with that breathtaking boyish grin.

I smiled and nodded in agreement before letting out a yawn. Elijah smirked down at me as he rubbed my shoulder soothingly.

"I don't know about you, but I'm ready to go home and pass out." I joked as I leaned into him more as if I were about to fall asleep right there. "I might start snoring before I even reach your building. I'm pooped after that test."

That made Elijah laugh and squeeze my shoulder playfully before asking me if I was too tired to study today.

"No. I think it's a good idea for us to get a head start today. I'm just joking." I was a little tired, but the responsible thing to do would be to prepare the next chapters early. I also wouldn't turn down the opportunity to spend more time with Elijah.

He suddenly stopped beside me, giving me a knowing look when I turned to face him.

"Hop on."

I chuckled at his stance. He was leaning forward slightly, trying to give me easier access to his back.

"Are you serious?" I knew he was. I could tell by his unfaltering expression. "Elijah, you can't give me a piggyback ride all the way to your building. You're going to hurt your back." He didn't budge. He just stood there in what looked like an alpine skiing stance, which made me laugh even more. I have to admit, Elijah is not lacking in determination and persistence.

I finally gave up, shaking my head in defeat as I walked around and jumped up on his back. I could picture Elijah's smug grin right now, both happy and disappointed that I couldn't see his face to witness it myself.

He proceeded to walk in the direction of his building, never stopping to let me down or even slowing to catch his breath. He made it look easy to carry a fully grown human being across a college campus.

I expected to be more self-conscious in front of all the students around us, but all I could focus on was Elijah gently, but firmly, grasping onto my thighs, securing me on his back. His warmth comforted me in the brisk fall weather as he held me close.

Periodically, I would lean down further and ask if he wanted to put me down so I could walk. I didn't want him to pull a muscle in his back from carrying me, but he just declined my suggestions every time. I knew he liked carrying me. I rather enjoyed it as well. I thought back to when he carried me to my suite after our run when I first noticed his spellbinding chameleon eyes. My memories felt like dreams, taking me out of reality so much so that I didn't even realize we had arrived at our destination.

Elijah lived in a beautiful stone building not too dissimilar from the one I lived in with the girls.

He leaned forward so I could easily jump off of his back and not fall.

Well, of course, that didn't work out as planned because gravity has never been my friend. The second my feet made contact with the ground, the rest of my body didn't stop. I dipped back, and all I could picture was my head hitting the stone steps behind me before I stopped abruptly. Or, I should say, my body was stopped abruptly. By Elijah's arm. Around my waist.

I was breathing rapidly as he lifted me back onto my feet, steadying me and making sure I regained my balance.

"I told you I'd never let you fall." His hot breath fanned my ear, and I realized that my hands and forearms were pressed against his chest. His arm was still tucked around my waist. Our position didn't help my racing heart.

My lips turned up into a small smile as I thought back to our picnic date after I sprained my wrist. Elijah's promise held true, and the sense of safety and security I felt when I was around him was unreal.

I was brought back to the present day when I felt Elijah's lips brush against my forehead.

"As much as I love holding you, I think we should go inside now." The wind was picking up, and I felt my cheeks with my fingertips. They were freezing, along with my nose. I knew Elijah was worried about me getting sick, so I listened to him and started to back away, as much as I didn't want to.

I followed him up the steps and into the dorm and stood beside him as he unlocked the door to his suite.

"I think Braxton and Sean are home right now. They really like you, by the way. You're the only girl who has ever indulged Braxton by taking him up on one of his challenges. He's already been compiling a list of foods so he's prepared before he formally 'summons you to a duel.'"

We both laughed as I shook my head at how childish he is. It sounds like Braxton is taking this more seriously than I initially thought. I wonder how he ever ended up with Natalie. He's so fun and playful, and she's so cold and disinterested.

I pushed my thoughts of Natalie out of my mind. Bree and Will were right. She didn't deserve my energy. I should focus on the amazing guy that's standing right beside me at that very moment.

The guy of my dreams.

My boyfriend.

****

Hey guys! Thank you so much for reading.

A lot of things happened in this chapter, and I love to hear your thoughts and predictions, so throw 'em at me!

I want to know what you think of Will and Bree. Do you think its a good idea for Bree to ask Will out?

Please remember to VOTE and COMMENT if you enjoyed. Your feedback means a lot to me!

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Well...