Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Calculus, Statistics, and a bunch of other subjects have ratcheted up my stress levels over the last few days. While I don't have trouble understanding the syllabus, the assessment criteria and professors' requirements make my head spin.

I yawn into my fist, leaning against the wall by the entrance to the lecture hall where my Physiology class is due to start in a couple of minutes. 

"Sorry I'm late, man." 

Turning around, I see Bast. "Not late," I say, fist-bumping him. "Let's go."

Bast nods, and we enter the hall. A quick scan of it helps us locate two vacant seats in the middle. Just as we plop down onto them, I spot Chad and greet him with a nod.

Bast raises a brow. "Do you know him?"

"We have many classes together. Why?"

"No reason. I've seen him at the gym, that's all."

The commotion around us dies down as the professor, Dr. Creighton, strides toward the podium.

He introduces himself and goes over the course syllabus. I take brief notes and can't help smiling — it's an important subject, and although many are intimidated by how hard it is to pass it, it's medicine-related, which makes my excitement soar.

"...We'll cover the functional anatomy of the organs and learn to understand their role in the human body. Well, or try to. The functions of one of the organs we have are still subject to debate. Any idea about what organ it is?"

The silence is absolute. I glance at Bast and then raise my hand. 

"Yes, Mr…"

"O'Brien. I believe it's the appendix."

"You believe right. It's small and seems insignificant, although, frankly, nothing in the human body ever is, but if it ruptures and is left untreated, the consequences can be life-threatening. What is that dangerous condition called, Mr. O'Brien?"

"Septicemia, which in turn leads to sepsis, caused by peritonitis in this case."

"Well, someone is taking his future career seriously." Dr. Creighton chuckles. "Keep it up."

"Thanks," I say, refocusing on my notes as the professor speaks about the projects we're expected to do and the first quiz we'll have in barely a week.

When the lecture is over, and we're picking up our things, Bast smiles at me. "Good job earlier. You sounded confident."

"It was easy." I shrug. "It's one of the few things I know because I assisted a surgeon in Indonesia in an appendectomy. He explained stuff to me."

Bast's eyes flare. "Assisted? Wow. That's cool."

"I was lucky not to throw up."

"They let you assist?"

Chad is the one who asked the question. I didn't realize he was listening. 

"It was an emergency after an earthquake. The surgeon didn't have many options."

"Of course, genius," Chad says, sending me a wink on his way out of the lecture hall.

Genius.

I stuff my notebook in the backpack and bite my lip. Why the fuck did I even open my mouth?

Bast's eyes stay glued to Chad's back until he's out of the hall. "It stinks in here," he mutters.

"Huh?" 

"Jealousy, man."

I snort. "Yeah, right."

"Now that I've thought about it, it's the same guy who grilled Nash about the push-ups."

"How?"

Bast rolls his eyes. "Saying there was no way Nash didn't take protein powder or some shit. It's a load of crap. Nash is all about eating clean. He's consistent with his workouts; that's all it is."

"Mac has a gym," I say. "And understands a lot about nutrition. He always told me not to take supplements if I can get the same from healthy food."

“And he's right unless you need the meds to function." Bast sighs as soon as the last words leave his mouth and nod his chin toward the opposite end of the hallway. "I have to go. See you at home?"

"See ya."

As soon as Bast leaves, I check my phone for messages from Kitten, grinning when I find one in which she tells me she's looking forward to our date.

***

"Brian. Fuck, man, I need your help," Bast says from his room when I'm back at the apartment after our lectures.

I drop the backpack by the couch and go to check on him. He's standing next to his desk, scowling as he tries to shake something off his clothes.

"What's up?"

"Help me take this shit off me," Bast grits through his teeth.

"I'm not undressing your ass," I say.

Bast groans. "Fucking come here and look."

It's when I take a step forward that I see the sparkling particles clinging to Bast's clothes, face, and hair.

Bast is trying to get rid of the glitter, tugging at the hem of his shirt, but his efforts achieve nothing. 

"You take grooming to the next level," I say to piss him off. 

In a swift motion, Bast scoops up a pink notebook from the desk and hands it to me. "Want some? I believe Barbie made enough for both of us."

My chest shakes with laughter. Bast rakes a hand through his hair, and more shiny particles rain down on his carpet.

"Fucking Barbie." Bast kicks the back of his chair and buries both of his hands in his dark blond strands. 

"You need a shower," I say. "I've never been glitter-bombed, but I believe not much can be done unless you scrub it off you."

Bast's jaw works. "Yeah. You know what, she'd better get ready cause I won't let it slide. The revenge will be sweet."

"Sparks already flew," I say, inspecting the glittery residue stuck to my finger. "Maybe it's a sign that you have to be friends."

Bast snorts as he opens his closet and starts to rummage in it. "Never."

"You like them bitchy," I say, referring to Elena, who gives people the stink eye like it's an Olympic sport and she's a champion.

Turning to look at me, Bast halts with a clean shirt in his hands. "You don't like her."

"I don't," I agree. "She's weird, plus she was rude to Leah. Speaking of Leah, it's our date tomorrow. You're going out, right?"

"Yeah," Bast says. "Do you need me to text you before I head back home?"

"I'd appreciate it. Thanks, man," I say and snicker when Bast ruffles his hair once again, cussing at more glitter that falls onto his clothes and the floor.

***

The following evening, Kitten and I sit in a small Italian restaurant close to the promenade. I wanted to take her somewhere that would remind her of our first real date. 

I've been watching her eat for the last couple of minutes. In a cute short dress with her beautiful hair down, it's hard for me to stop staring at her.

"You're not eating," Kitten tells me.

I smile and pick up my slice of pizza. "I am, babe."

When our plates are empty, Kitten leans back in her chair and pats her stomach. "It was delicious. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Better come here."

Grinning, Leah jumps off her chair and comes up to me. I wrap my arms around her and she lands on my lap.

"Hey," I whisper, pressing a kiss to her collarbone.

Leah studies my face, smoothing a thumb over my jaw. "You've been a bit quiet tonight."

"Have I?" I quirk an eyebrow. 

"Yeah," Leah says. "Since we decided to have some coffee at your place instead of here, how about we take a walk, and you tell me what's up?"

"Okay," I say and kiss her cheek. "Wait for me."

When I've paid the bill, Kitten is already dressed and ready to leave the restaurant. 

I take her hand in mine, and we step onto the busy street, heading toward the marina. Many couples are walking like us, enjoying the evening. Jim doesn't live far from here. It would be funny to see him out with his girl as well.

"Bri." Leah tugs at my sleeve. "What is it?"

I draw an arm around her shoulders and kiss her temple without stopping the stroll. "I'm sorry, baby. I'm okay; it's just the stress, I guess."

Leah stops walking. A cute frown takes over her expression. "Are you taking your meds?"

I nod toward the marina. We approach it and stand facing the water with our arms around each other. "I am," I say. "But I'm thinking about talking to the doctor and looking for alternatives."

"Why?" Kitten asks, tilting her chin up so that she can see my face.

It's the first time I've mentioned it to anyone, but not the first time I've thought about it. 

"I've been taking them for a while, and I don't like the idea of depending on the meds to function. I quit smoking, and I feel calmer. Besides, you're with me, and it makes me happy. Plus...I don't know, babe, my degree is hard, and the stress is real. It won't go anywhere. I need to learn to manage it without the pills with a fuckton of side effects."

"What if you get worse?"

"I don't think I will, but I won't do anything before discussing other options with the doc who treats me. I know that he might suggest eating clean or doing meditation or some shit. I won't take risks. Okay?"

"Okay," Leah says, hugging me tighter.

A sense of calm envelops me in a warm blanket as I caress Kitten's hair, and she hums into my neck. 

"Is that all, or was anything else bothering you?" she asks me, her voice gentle.

"It kinda was, and it's kinda stupid."

"Tell me," Kitten insists, rubbing her nose against my jaw.

"A guy in my class overheard me talking to Bast. I mentioned that I assisted Alec in the OR once."

"After the earthquake?" Leah asks.

"Yeah. The dude called me a genius, and fuck, Kitten, it just didn't sit well with me cause I'm not. The prof asked a question that was something I knew, but now I wish I'd said nothing."

Leah takes a step back and grabs my hand, threading her fingers through mine as she studies my face. "You shouldn't be ashamed of being smart, Brian, and you shouldn't hide it. It's college. You have a goal, and you're working toward it."

I bring our joined hands to my lips and kiss Kitten's knuckles. "I know, babe. I just want to do my thing without the drama. It's my first year, and I don't know shit. I just happened to know that one thing."

"Don't let him get to you," says Kitten. "I've always believed in you, and it's time you did the same."

I hug her to me. My lips seek Kitten's, claiming them as soon as my mouth is on hers. She kisses me back with such eagerness I squeeze my eyes shut and focus only on what she makes me feel, which is a whole fucking lot of everything.

"I need you," I rasp out between long, wet kisses, torn between wanting to devour her lips right now and needing to devour all of her in the privacy of my room.

"I'm yours," Kitten whispers, caressing me through my clothes.

My room it is.

I'm back!

Hope you like the chapter. I'm afraid to make promises since I've been busy and my writing time is limited, but I'll do my best to update before next Friday.

Also, do you prefer love scenes in Brian's or Leah's POV? We'll definitely have both, but I'm curious.

Tell me how you've been!

Love,
Alwyn.