Chapter 19

Again, I don't own any of these characters

The entire drive back to New Haven, Cody knew he couldn't question Bailey as Max and Tapeworm were in the back seat. However, once they got back to town and dropped them both off at their dorms, Cody immediately spoke up.

"Alright, I saw you talking to Tapeworm. What did you say?"

Bailey smiled. "I nonchalantly mentioned that Max had really grown up from the pictures you had showed me..."

"And?"

"I happened to mention that she was now a looker that I was sure many guys would like to go out with..."

"And?"

"I also mentioned that while I haven't known her all that long, she seems like a wonderful person..."

"And?"

"I may have said that whoever ended up with her would be a lucky guy...That's all I said, I swear..."

Cody nodded. "Just don't push too hard, okay?"

"Why not?"

"Well, they are the only close friends we have our age in town. I just don't want to make things awkward between them and affect our friendships with them."

Bailey looked concerned. "You really think it could?"

"I don't know. I just don't know if that's a risk worth taking..."

Bailey paused. "I don't want to hurt our friendships..."

Cody smiled at her. "I know you don't. You just want to see them happy, and I can completely understand that..."

"I just want everyone to know what we have..."

"I don't know...I like to think what we have is very special and unique..."

Bailey smiled at him. "It is. I guess it would be impossible for everyone to know exactly what we have..."

"Its okay. Besides, we have enough to worry about the next couple of weeks. We have a macro test on Tuesday and a micro one on Friday. And then we have a Chemistry test next Tuesday night and a Biology test next Friday."

Bailey sighed. "Our first college exams..."

Cody smiled. "I know...I can't wait..."

Bailey smiled back at him. "Me either..."

"See, that's why we are so unique. What other couple do you know of that's actually looking forward to taking tests?"

Bailey laughed. "I know. But that's what makes us us..."

Cody and Bailey did return home and spent the whole day Sunday doing their reading for Monday and studying for their exams that week. Once Tuesday arrived, they had their first exam. And both breezed through it with no trouble. In fact, they were the first ones done and even after double checking everything, they were the first ones to turn in their tests. Bill just shook his head and smiled at them as they walked out of the classroom.

That afternoon was their first chemistry lab without Theo in the class. The TA's job was a little tougher as he now had someone without a lab partner, but he had to make do. The lab that week was something they actually hadn't done before, but they had no problems with it.

The rest of the week was spent doing their homework and studying for their micro test. Come Friday morning, again they were ready for the exam, and it went pretty much the same way as the macro one did. Again, Bill just shook his head. He was pretty sure he was looking at a repeat performance from the earlier one.

Friday night, Cody and Bailey decided to take it easy and spend a night in cooking dinner and watching TV together. They were able to just relax and joke around with each other. At one point, Cody asked Bailey if she could explain what the Kardashians actually did to warrant being famous. Bailey paused and said it was for probably the same reason The Situation was...no one really knew. So, instead of trying to figure out reality TV, the flipped back to something they preferred...reruns of Mythbusters.

The rest of the weekend was spent studying for their exams – Saturday for Biology and Sunday for Chemistry. On Sunday night, as they were fixing dinner, there was a knock at their back door. Bailey went over to answer it and found Bill standing there.

"I just figured you two might want to know how you guys did on your exams..."

Cody looked at Bailey and back to Bill. "Well, we both thought we did well. Were we right?"

Bill laughed. "I would say so...You both nailed them. I don't think your classmates will be too happy with you two throwing off the curve though..."

Cody and Bailey smiled and high fived each other.

"Well, I just figured you two would like to know. Congratulations..."

"Thank you for letting us know..."

"I'll see you both in class tomorrow."

Bill leaves, and Cody picks Bailey spins her around in glee.

"Seems like a good time to celebrate to me."

Bailey smiled. "I agree. I think we've worked hard enough today. I say we give ourselves the rest of the night off."

"Sounds good to me. What do you have in mind?"

"Well, dinner for now..." Bailey grinned. "...and a real celebration later..."

Cody smiled. "Impeccable thinking as always..."

After finishing eating, they retired to their living room to just relax in front of the TV again. Of course, one show happened to catch their attention – Dancing With the Stars. Not that they were big fans of the show or had anything against it, but rather, it was one of the contestants giving an interview that caught their eye.

"We're here with former NFL MVP, Kurt Warner...Now, Kurt, do you think you can do as well as former NFL players Jerry Rice, Chad Ochocinco, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin?"

"Well, I sincerely hope I can do my best."

"I know you would probably rather still be playing right now though..."

"Yes, I would. But it wasn't God's will that I keep playing. So, I have to accept that."

"Well, the fans in Arizona still blame the young man who caused your injury. Especially after the Cardinals went 4-12 last year."

"Fans will be fans..."

"Does it bother you that they hold him to almost a Steve Bartman level of contempt?"

"Look, it was an accident. Do I wish it had never happened? Of course. But, I have to move on with my life."

"So, have you forgiven Cody Martin?"

"Do I forgive him? Yes. Do I wish I had never met him? Yes."

Bailey immediately changed the channel. "Don't listen to him. There are plenty of people who are glad that you are in their lives. And I am at the top of that list."

Cody nodded. "Thanks. I do feel bad thought. It was just an accident."

"Accidents happen. I know you would never intentionally try to hurt anyone."

"Thanks, Sweetie."

"Forget about him. He got paid millions of dollars to play a game. I think he'll be okay."

Cody smiled. "You know. I'm kind of glad I was never good enough to be professional athlete."

"Why's that?"

"I don't need the money and fame. And besides, I would be on the road so much and be away from you. I have you, and that already makes me the wealthiest man alive."

Bailey smiled. "Why don't we skip the TV and get back to our celebration..."

"Gladly..."

"Come here..."

And with that Bailey pulls Cody back on the couch with her as she kisses him.

The finally break apart and Cody looks around.

Bailey looked at him confused. "What are you doing?"

"Waiting for the doorbell or the phone to ring..."

Bailey laughed. "I don't hear a thing..."

Cody grinned at her. "Just making sure. Now, where were we?"

"Right here..." Bailey pulls him back to her so she can kiss him again.

To be Continued...