Page 13 of That's Too Pucking Bad

I groan, flopping back on my bed. “I wasn’t expecting… that.”

Maya laughs again, rolling onto her side to face me. “You’ll get used to it. Caleb’s over here all the time.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” I mutter.

She gives me a teasing smile. “You could always join us.”

I sit up, glaring at her. “Absolutely not.”

Maya just laughs again, rolling her eyes. “Relax, I’m kidding.”

“Are you two…uhm…dating?” I ask her.

She lets out a little giggle before saying. “No. That is just a little head between friends. I told him I was a little excited about my concert and he came over tocalm me down.”

I shake my head, smiling despite myself. Maya’s… well, Maya. She’s wild, unpredictable, and somehow, she’s become my closest friend here. She’s the complete opposite of me in almost every way, but maybe that’s why we get along. I need her chaotic energy in my life, even if it drives me crazy sometimes.

“So, what’s your plan for tonight?” she asks, stretching out on her bed.

“I was just gonna study,” I say, glancing at my notebook on my desk. “Catch up on some reading.”

Maya groans dramatically. “You’re so boring.”

“I’m not boring,” I protest. “I’m responsible.”

“Same thing,” she says, smirking. “Come on, Remy, live a little. There’s more to college than studying.”

“I know that,” I say, rolling my eyes. “But I need to stay on top of my classes. My scholarship depends on it.”

Maya waves a hand dismissively. “That’s so cute, but you’ll be fine. You’re like, the smartest person I know. You could take a night off and still ace everything.”

I smile, but it’s a little forced. “I just… I don’t want to mess this up.”

Maya softens, her teasing tone gone. “You’re not going to mess it up, Remy. You’re killing it here. Trust me.”

I nod, trying to believe her. But the pressure’s always there, hanging over me like a cloud. One slip-up, and it could all come crashing down.

“Thanks,” I say quietly.

Maya grins again. “You’re welcome. Now, are you sure you don’t want to come to the concert with me? Last chance.”

I laugh. “I’m good. You go have fun.”

She pouts. “Your loss.”

As she gets ready to leave, I pull out my books, trying to focus. But my mind keeps drifting. To my mom. To the list of books she’s somehow going to afford. To Caleb and Maya, andthe weird, messy life I’ve stepped into here. It’s all so much, and I’m not sure how to handle it sometimes.

By the time Maya’s gone, the room feels too quiet. I stare at my open textbook, but the words blur together, my brain too full to concentrate.

Maybe Maya’s right. Maybe I do need to loosen up.

Just not tonight.

It’s 11 p.m., and I’m still hunched over my desk, textbooks scattered like they’re some kind of barricade. I’ve been staring at the same sentence for twenty minutes, my highlighter hovering over the page like it’s threatening to do something useful. My brain is fried, but I have another quiz next week, so I’m determined to push through. That’s when my phone buzzes.

Colin.

We haven’t spoken much since we… sorted things out. “Sorted” might be a strong word. More like… ignored the shit out of what happened and decided to keep going. It’s weird, but what’s not weird in my life right now?

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