The next day passes slowly, and even more slow going is the review of my exam. I've gotten through almost all of the problems, emailing my professor questions as they come up. Although I still get upset if I think about it, I have set my efforts on doing great on the final. Maybe I won't get an A, but if I don't fail completely, that'll be enough for me. At least, that's what I tell myself, refusing to think beyond that for now.

I twiddle my highlighter in my fingers, thinking back to the guy I met at the Science Center. I haven't seen him since, despite his assumption that we would. Maybe he was just flirting, I think to myself. Would that be a bad thing? Not at all. It's the last thing I need to worry about right now, I remind myself over and over. Just because he has a cute dimple and pretty eyes doesn't mean I should waste time daydreaming about him...

"Hello? Earth to Kat, come in please," Hannah laughs, waving her hand in front of my face. "Must be some book," she smirks once she finally has my attention.

"Something like that," I mumble, more to myself than to her. "What were you saying?" I close the novel in my hands, using a finger to keep my place.

"I was asking if you're excited for break next week," she repeats herself, folding her laundry on her bed. "I for one, cannot wait for this week to end. Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year?"

I shake my head. "'My grandmother will be having it at her house." Hannah's eyes go wide, an amused smile on her lips. "I know," I laugh. "It'll be a disaster, but it'll make her happy. Are you going to your dads?"

Hannah nods. "Mhm, I'm meeting his new girlfriend." She scrunches up her nose.

"You okay?" I soften. Hannah's parents were never married, but they were together for most of her life. They split up freshmen year, and since then, her dad has caused a lot of family drama by bringing numerous girlfriends around. Some... well, some much younger than himself. And Hannah is stuck right in the middle.

"Connor will be home, too. So at least there's that." Connor is Hannah's older brother - tall, blonde, blue eyed and gorgeous like Hannah. And successful, too, Connor is in his second year of law school. At my hesitation, Hannah teases, "Have you given any more thought to my idea?"

"Hannah!" I toss my pillow at her. "I cannot, and I will not, date your big brother. It's weird,"

"Only because you make it weird," she argues, a devious smile on her lips. "I know he would be all for it,"

I roll my eyes, dropping the subject. I've never had a boyfriend, I've always been so focused on my school work that I didn't want anything to distract me. And it worked, didn't it? I'm here now, at college, beginning to start seriously considering my plans for medical school. My mind trails to CJ, and I feel the little flutter of butterflies in my belly. Will I see him tomorrow?

"Want to go get some dinner?" Hannah rubs her stomach. "I'm starving,"

"Sure, let me just finish this chapter," I hold up the book we've been assigned in my literature class. Even though I'm pre-medicine, I try to take some enjoyable classes here and there. This semester it was Literature and Creative Writing. And Biochemistry, I shutter, and Physics 2. I don't like Physics much, but I'm better at it, so it's not so bad.

Hannah finishes organizing her side of the room while she waits. Once I'm finished, we bundle ourselves in our rain coats and boots. Unlike yesterday, the sun is nowhere to be found today.

As we make our way to the dining hall on lower campus, I can't help but scan each group of students that passes by, hoping to see CJ. This is silly, my mind shouts at me. Even if I do see him, I can't accept his invitation, not with finals being so close. With that in mind, I eat my dinner of chicken parm and pasta quietly, silently reminding myself to not be so disappointed.

I drop my bag into the comfy chair beside Cassandra, a tall, redheaded, volleyball player that lived on my floor freshman year. We got close over our dislike of parties, opting to host movie nights and order take out with Hannah, while the other girls went off-campus. "You look rough," Her smile is bright when she looks up to see me, her long legs sprawled out in front of her.

I settle into the chair opposite from her, making sure not to crowd her leg room. "Just got out of Physics. We had our group presentations," I sigh in explanation.

"How'd it go?" Cass twirls her high ponytail through her fingers.

"Okay, I think. One kid in my group messed up the results part, a little." I chew the inside of my lip as my irritation flares. "But I think I was able to save it,"

"That's my girl," She laughs, her green eyes twinkling. "Hey, I've got to get to Spanish, but I'll come by your room after practice?"

"Adios," I nod, waving at her as she walks away, dirty, white backpack slung over her shoulder. She's so much taller than most of the students, men included. It's funny to see her red head sticking a foot above everyone else's. I lean my head back in the chair, closing my eyes. I was up all night preparing for the presentation, which was supposed to be next week before Thanksgiving break. Our group wrapped our project up earlier than expected and our professor let us present today instead of next week, which I'm thankful for since it significantly lessens my work load for the two days before the holiday.

I feel another body slide into the chair beside me, but I don't open my eyes. Too tired from practicing my part all night. Only for Tommy, an underclassman, to mess it up at the end. "You look like you need this,"

My eyes flash open. "CJ," I smile immediately. "What's this?" I clasp my hands around the warm styrofoam cup in front of me, ignoring how my heart nearly skipped a beat at the sound of his voice.

"I wasn't sure if you liked coffee," He runs his hand through his long hair. "So I got hot chocolate," He explains. "Who doesn't like hot chocolate, right?" He's smiling, too.

"I do like coffee," I tell him, taking a sip from the cup and nearly burning my tongue.

"I'll remember that for next time," he promises, long fingers picking at the fray on his ripped jeans.

"Next time?" I raise my eyebrows.

He rolls his eyes playfully. "You seem so unsure about seeing me again for someone who is in the same cafe I met you in last time," He's teasing, I know, but I get defensive anyways.

"I'm pre-med. My classes are here," I argue, my tone harsher than he deserved.

He changes the subject. "Pre-med, huh? So you are smart."

"Thanks for this," I lift the cup to him, ignoring his comment entirely. "I had a long night," I look down to see both his legs bouncing wildly. Does he ever stop?

"Tell me about it." His brownish-green eyes are staring at me so intently, that I, once again, have to look away.

"You, too, huh?" I yawn. It's about that time in the semester, I suppose.

"No, I meant, tell me about it. Your night, I mean."

My brows pull together in confusion. "But... why?"

CJ shrugs, "I want to get to know you, is all. Can you blame me?"

"Hm." I look to the cafe, avoiding his eyes. I actually would really rather not talk about my night, or Physics, or my obsessive need to be 120% prepared for any assignment, ever. Or the near breakdowns I had while reciting my piece over and over. "Purple," I blurt out, sounding like a complete idiot.

"What?" CJ's thick brows knit together in confusion.

"My favorite color is purple." I turn to face him, smiling. He goes along with it, nodding his head. "And, I like country music, but my parents love old school rock, so I've been known to play some every once in awhile." I pick at a small hole in my sweatshirt pocket as CJ just listens, taking my words in. "And I love roses. Some people think they're boring and too mainstream, but... they're classic." I flush, finally feeling silly.

"What're you doing?" CJ laughs, shaking his head and sending loose tendrils of hair in his eyes. I gaze at him, wondering what it would feel like to reach over and push his hair behind his ears, feeling the loose waves between my fingers.  I inhale slowly, smelling the slightly smokey scent of his skin.

"Letting you get to know me." That's what this is, isn't it?

"Okay," CJ nods slowly, lips slowly pulling into a big smile. "Does this mean you'll let me take you out on Saturday?"

My face falls. "I really can't." I grab my backpack quickly, standing and staring at my feet. "Thanks, again, for the hot chocolate."

"Wait," A jolt of electricity shots through me as CJ's hand grabs mine, pulling me to a stop as I try to walk away. "At least tell me why not," His voice is soft.

I ignore the tingles on my skin and the fast beat of my heart as I say weakly, " I just don't have time right now." God, I wish I wasn't like this. I wish I could be like the other girls that go on dates with cute guys who buy them hot chocolate. But I just can't. It's not just an excuse - I am busy, and I do need to focus. But it isn't the whole truth either.

"I can wait." CJ surprises me, looking smug again.

"But why?" I mumble for the second time during our conversation.

He looks at me, cocking his head to the side. "Because, Kat," His tone once again, indicates that the answer is obvious. "Why not?"