Page 16 of Ricochet

I lose track of time, and when I finally leave the gym, my clothes and hair are drenched with sweat. It drips into my eyes, making them sting.

Jesse is still asleep in his room after I’ve gotten a shower and dressed. I start some coffee so it’ll be ready for him when he wakes up, then head out for my first class.

My biochemistry and genetics classes go by pretty uneventfully. I’m well and truly distracted by the time they’re over, that familiar sense of feeling overwhelmed by a heavy course load finally hitting.

Since I have a couple of hours before practice, I decide to go to the library and attempt to get a head start before I find myself behind the very first week of the semester.

While majoring in biology was kind of a last minute decision, I’ve enjoyed it enough to stick to it.

However, three years into my college career, and I haven’t narrowed down exactly what it is I want to do. I’ve been considering something in the realm of a medical illustrator, which is why I’m still taking as many art classes as I can get away with. But I’m not sure if I’m ready to commit to two more years of school.

Finding an empty table in the back of the library, I unload my books and notes. The laptop I own is an old hand-me-down from my uncle. It’s practically a brick, which is why I don’t carry it to school. I usually handwrite everything and type my essays up later.

Opening my biochemistry textbook, I start reading through the first two chapters, taking notes as I go.

I’m halfway through the second chapter when the chair across from me scrapes against the hardwood floor. I look up just as Stone sits down, an open bag of Funyuns in his hand.

I swear this guy’s going to give me a fucking aneurysm.

Dropping my pen on top of my notebook, I lean back in my seat. “Shit just goes in one ear and out the other, doesn’t it?”

“Huh?” He flashes me a smile that’s so far from innocent that he wouldn’t be able to get away with murder right now. “What was that?”

I blink once. Twice. Not the least bit amused.

He smirks and holds out the bag toward me. “Chip?”

My jaw clenches as I scowl at him. “No.”

He shrugs and plucks a yellow ring out of the bag before tossing it in his mouth. “More for me then.”

I stare at him for a bit, wondering what about him has me more on edge than usual. Then I remember how infuriated he was yesterday, fuming as he marched out of the locker room without even showering first.

The complete one-eighty is a bit dizzying.

“You’re in a better mood than you were yesterday,” I say before I can stop myself, hoping he doesn’t misinterpret my observation forcaring.

“You mean the moodyouput me in?” He stares at me for a beat and then laughs it off. “Yeah, I’m much better. Thanks for asking. Just needed a good release last night.”

I roll my eyes. Hard. “Ireallydidn’t need to know that.”

I’m used to Jesse sharing his sexual escapades with me and the uncomfortable feeling that often accompanies most of his stories.

However, this uneasiness I feel now is different somehow.

“What are you doing here, Stone?”

He folds his chip bag tightly closed and places it on the table. “I have a proposition for you.”

I raise a hand in the air, motioning for him to get on with it.

“Our anatomy and physiology class is a refresher course for me. I was thinking maybe if you needed some help—”

I lean forward again to slam my textbook closed, cutting off his words, and spinning the book around to face him.

His brows shoot up into his forehead. “Biochemistry?”

“I’m a biology major. I don’t need your fucking help.”

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