YES! Just like I promised, this baby is out early! Yay [right?] ok. I hope the convos. weren't confusing in the last chapter. The next chapter will be more interesting, I promise! Well, I guess "interesting" will just depend on your take on it. But I think it will be. =]


chapter 5: over thinking

the song is "over thinking" by relient k.


-------------Michelle's POV-------------------------

I guess the way I said "sure, let's go" made me seem like a bitch. Adam looked pretty offended with how I was speaking to him. It was his fault! I've never had so much homework before and he made the situation worse by talking to me. Then again, I was the one who initialized the start of the conversation. Oh who am I kidding; maybe this whole 'researching-together-thing' will be fun.

"Aw crap!"

I turned around just in time to see Adam drop three library books on the floor.

"Um, I found these. These should help," he said as he put the books down on the table.

We were sitting in the far corner of the large room so that no one could disturb us. Disturb us? Yeah... from our studies... "studies" huh? What am I thinking?

"Um, you ok?"

Whoops, I forgot to say something because I got caught up in my thoughts. What thoughts? AGH!

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks."

"You sure? You seem... I don't know... like... mad at me or something..." His voice trailed off and didn't look at me straight in the eyes.

"I'm not mad at you... It's just that I usually don't do... projects with partners. Well, I do, but they usually make me do all the work and I'm afraid you'll be the same as them..."

Holy crap. How did he make me say all that stuff? I've never told anyone that.

"You don't have to be afraid of me. I mean, of me making you do all of this. I don't look smart, but ... umm... I guess I am...well, I'm alright... I work hard... trust me..."

"I... I trust you..."

"Good."

Was it just me or were we both blushing feverishly? It must be the air-conditioning in this damn room. It'd not working or something. But aren't libraries usually freezing cold?

Four hours later...

THE LOUDSPEAKER: "Students, the library is closing in five minutes. I repeat, the library is closing in five minutes. Please gather your stuff together and return or check out books immediately."

"Oh no! We're not finished yet! What the heck!?" I cried out loud. (not literally though)

"It's ok. It's ok. We can just work in the student lounge. That common room place. Let's just hope there is an empty table for us."

"Sure."

When we got to the lounge, which is a common area to hang out with members of the opposite sex (dorms aren't co-ed!), every single table was taken. All that remained vacant was an old couch. A comfortable-looking old couch, I might add.

"Umm, I guess... we can... sit there..." I said.

"Yeah, yeah ok. It's fine."

As I neared the couch, my left foot stepped on the shoelaces of my right shoe and I tripped, landing on the couch.

"My my, someone's in a hurry to get her work done."

"Shut up Adam." He smiled.

I love it when he smiles; his smile was so innocent and kind. If I were to keep staring at his smile and his eyes, I could melt.

The grandfather clock chimed 7 times. It was time for dinner, but we were only halfway done with the research paper.

"Hey, are you hungry? Come on, let's go."

"It's ok Adam. You go. I think I'll finish this... if you don't mind."

"No, we'll finish it together. Just eat... You need energy if you're going to stay up all night with me."

"Uhh..." What is he trying to imply? For some reason, I find it difficult to read his mind.

He gave a playful smirk and made a gesture for me to follow him out the door, but I didn't. Adam continued to walk out of the room to the dining hall as I turned my attention back to my studies.

Washington. Franklin. Lincoln. Adams... Fruit Loops and Coco Puffs... My eyelids were slowly drooping...

------------------ end of Michelle's POV---------------------------

------------------- Adam Banks' POV------------------------

After an hour of eating with the old Ducks, I headed back to the student lounge. When I got there, most of the other students had already finished their homework and were heading back to their dorms. Some were sitting by the fireplace and watching late night television.

Michelle was no longer in her usual sitting position; she was sprawled out along the couch – asleep. I didn't want to wake her up, so I picked up my binder and books from the couch and set them on a table.

I kept stealing glances at Michelle who was still asleep. She looked so peaceful, calm, and beautiful. Beautiful?! Wait...

I shook my head.

The expression on her face when she was asleep was so different than when she was awake. During the day, she was distant, angry, and always in a rush. Hectic. I don't know what possessed me to do what I did next, but I did it anyway.

I got up and walked over to her side and I sat on the edge of one of the couch's cushions. Silently, I watched her. My hand reached over to where her face was and I pushed a strand of her hair back so I could see her whole face. Her hands were still wrapped around one of the textbooks, so I tried to remove it from her grasp.

She stirred.

Almost instantly, I got up from where I was sitting and pounced back on the chair at the table.

Her eyes flickered open; she looked at me with tired eyes and a sentimental smile.

"Go back to sleep. It's ok... I'll finish it."

With that note, she did fall back asleep and soon let out light breathing noises.

Close to midnight, I finished the essay and put away my work. I didn't know whether or not it was a good idea to wake Michelle up or not. Her hands were wrapped around herself as if she was freezing; I took off my sweater and carefully placed it on top of her.

Should I go back to my room and leave her here? But then she'd be by herself...

And I don't want some strange person to come down and accidentally sit on her...

What if she wakes up and realizes that she's alone and that I ditched her?

Maybe I'll stay here and sleep on the other couch... but then I can't see her...

After answering my own questions and thoughts, I decided to sleep in the big armchair across from the couch. That way, I could watch over her and notice if someone were to come in.

The armchair turned out to be rather comfortable. The ottoman was large and round so I could rest my feet easily without them having to drag near the ground. Sometimes it sucks to be so tall.

----------------------- end of Adam Banks' POV--------------------------

The next morning around 6:00 a.m., Dwayne Robertson and Kenny Wu strolled down into the common room. They woke up early to go out for a light jog, but when they went down the stairs into the lounge, they noticed two sleeping figures.

"Think we should wake them?"

"Yeah, you do it cowboy."

"Ok." With that, he shook Adam roughly on the shoulder.

"Hey, Banks-y, wake up. Ah, morning sunshine. It's 7! You have practice."

Adam sat straight up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

"Oh hey. Morning."

"Uh, what are you doing here? And why is ...whoa, is that Michelle over there? I knew Russ talked to you guys, but I didn't think you'd guys would hit it off that fast."

"Kenny... we were just working on that history paper. Umm... can you guys watch her or something? Here, I'll write her a note. Make sure she reads it, ok? I'll see you guys later."

Adam got up from the armchair to go to his dorm, but as he did, he forgot that the ottoman was there and tripped over it.

"AGH!"

"SHHHHHHHHH! Come on now. Don't wake up the little lady. Don't be rude."

------------------------Michelle's POV---------------------------

The sun's rays were blasting in through the window when I woke up. I could feel it on my eyes, which were still shut. When I opened them, I saw four pairs of eyes staring down at me.

"Morning little lady."

"Ugh, what time is it and why do you always call me that?"

"Because you're a lady, and you're littler than me."

"The time cowboy?"

"It's 7:30"

"Oh crap! Thanks Kenny!"

I jumped up from the couch, but noticed that I wasn't clutching onto the history textbook anymore. Everything was neatly stacked on the table near the fireplace. As I approached it, I noticed a note taped to my binder.

It read: "Michelle – You're probably up right now since you're reading this (duh). Don't worry, I finished the paper last night. Sorry I had to leave you, Cowboy and the Wu-ster woke me up and I had to go to practice. See ya later. – Adam."

"Wow..."

"He's a nice guy," Dwayne stated.

"Huh?"

"He finished the essay right? Yeah."

"Oh, right. Umm... what does he mean by...'sorry he had to leave me'? Kenny? Tell me."

"He...uhh...he stayed up all night with you... wait let me rephrase that. He slept down here, in the lounge."

"Uh, he could've just woke me up."

"He didn't want to and he didn't want to leave you alone..."

"GOSH... I'm just so touched." Dwayne clutched the area where his heart was and batted his eyelashes.

"Haha. Thanks guys. I'm going to go back to my room and get friggin' ready! Geez. I'm late. Stop talking to me!!!" I smiled.

"Bye," they both said together.

Wow... He is so... sigh Maybe I really do... I mean... maybe he really does... maybe... just maybe...


Gosh. I'm getting all teary-eyed writing this. Haha, ok not really. YAY! The next one will come out soon because I don't have SAT classes anymore...YAYyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. =] You know the drill, review please. =]