The Scars of Anatomy

25. Finally

Monday afternoon, after our English class, Olivia and I head to the library to study. When we enter, we're both shocked by the amount of people inside. The library is packed, people hustling and bustling about with large stacks of books in their arms, the volume in the rather quiet building louder than normal.

I glance at the corner table we usually study at, finding it occupied. Scanning the room, I realize all the tables are occupied with students who have their noses buried deep in their books and notes. Some are highlighting profusely, while others chug from Styrofoam coffee coups every few seconds, blinking rapidly to stay focused.

This place looks like utter hell.

"Whoa," Olivia breathes, eyes still scanning the room for a place to sit, besides the floor.

"Welcome to finals," I mumble. "A.K.A. Hell Week."

She shakes her head, baffled. "We could see if there's any space in the science building lounges. Maybe even in the business building?" she suggests.

I shake my head, knowing everyone else probably came to the same conclusion. "Everywhere on campus is sure to be packed," I say, trying to think of an alternative. We could go somewhere off campus, but I don't know how beneficial that would be. I'd probably lose focus pretty quickly. "We could go back to my room," I offer.

Her eyes widen a fraction in surprise. "We could..." she trails off, but I can tell she's trying to think of another alternative. "But what about Chase?"

I wave my hand dismissively. "He's going to the Delta Psi Beta party tonight, so he won't be back until way after midnight. If he even comes back at all."

She looks at me skeptically. "A frat party? On a Monday night?"

"What can I say, Finch. Some people just have their priorities straight."

She shakes her head in disbelief.

"And you're not going to said party?" she asks, a teasing smile playing on her lips.

Admittedly, in the past I probably would have gone to that party and gotten absolutely trashed. Delta Psi Beta's parties right before finals are legendary—not to mention a great stress reliever. In the moment, at least. The hangovers are pretty fucking brutal, though, which is why they always throw it the week before finals. We all may not be the brightest, but we're not totally stupid enough to show up to finals hungover.

"Me?" I place a hand to my chest, flashing her a feigned look of innocence. "Never. Plus, why would I go to a dumb frat party when I can spend time with my favorite girl, instead. Even if it is to just study."

She rolls her eyes, but I catch the blush creeping up on her cheeks. "Fine, we'll studying in your room. But no fooling around," she instructs, jutting a stern finger in my direction.

Fooling around.

I hadn't thought about it until now. Well, I have—undeniably—but I actually wasn't thinking about it currently when suggesting we go back to my room to study. And now I'm definitely not thinking about it as innocently as she is.

"Whatever you say, Finch," I say, flashing her a playful grin.

She shoots me an exasperated look before leading the way to the exit. We walk out of the busy library and back out into the cold to walk across campus to my dorm. On the walk over, I try to walk close to her, huddling together for warmth. Since last week, Olivia has been much better. Her sinuses have cleared and she seems back to her old self, but I don't want to risk her getting sick again.

Halfway to the dorms, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out, I glance at the screen that's lit up with an incoming call from a number I don't recognize. It's an out of state number, and I worry it may be a scout trying to get in contact with me.