7

3:26 a.m.

Despite my better judgment, I don't take Bella home right away. Instead, I take her to the nearest 24-hour dinner and buy her a cup of coffee.

The restaurant is practically empty and Bella and I find a booth away from the door, slightly more out of sight. The moment the coffee lands in front of us, Bella groans, wrapping her hands around the mug.

"Sweet, sweet nectar of the gods," she moans, taking a long gulp. She winces, puts the mug down, and reaches for little sugar and creamer packets. I pick up my own mug, taking a sip to hide my smile.

"I'm never drinking again," she sighs, her eyes focused on her mug as she stirs in her add-ons.

"I've been there," I admit, surprising myself. She looks up at me. "When I was a sophomore in college. I don't think I did anything but party. It got rough. Woke up one morning in Canada in nothing but jean cutoff shorts and a cowboy hat. I had to have my parents fly up with my passport to bail me out. The humiliation was enough to set me straight."

Her lips tug into a smile.

"I'm trying to picture it," she says, sipping her coffee then sitting back in the booth. "But even then I think you'd still be hot."

I choke out a laugh. "I was scrawny. Hadn't come into my own yet. Plus I was hungover for like three days after. No one looks good hungover."

She snickers. "I'm going to pay dearly for this tomorrow," she sighs, shaking her head. She's definitely sobering up, which is a relief, though I can't deny her singing made me smile. "Wait! What day is it? Is tomorrow Monday?"

The color has drained from her face at the thought, and I shake my head.

"No, it's only Friday." At my words, her body sags in relief, slipping down in the booth a little bit. "A lot going on Mondays?"

She looks at me. "Eight a.m. lab."

I wince and she nods, bringing a hand to rub her forehead.

"What are you studying?"

I still can't tell how old she is, but knowing if she's declared a major will give me somewhat of a general sense without coming right out and asking.

Her eyes flicker up to me. "Chemistry."

I can't help my surprise. I don't cross paths with a lot of people interested in science enough to major in it.

"Really?"

She nods, reaching out and taking a long sip of her coffee. "I've always loved science," she says pulling the mug from her mouth. She licks her lips, and I'm momentarily distracted. "And ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a mad scientist."

She says this as I'm drinking my coffee, and I end up snorting it. It shoots up my nose and I let out a loud cough, making her smile reappear. She sits back upright in the booth, laughing at me as I try not to choke to death.

"A mad scientist?" I ask tears in my eyes from my coughing fit. She grins.

"Can't you just see it? No one would see me coming."

I shake my head, reaching up to rub my eyes.

She's right; there is no way anyone could have seen her coming.