“I feel like it,” she whispered back. “My organs hurt.”
“That’s because you’re dehydrated.”
She lifted her head and frowned. “I don’t need judgment right now, doctor.”
I laughed softly and rolled my eyes. “Not judging you. Just trying to help. Drink the water.”
She sighed dramatically but obeyed, taking a long sip before grimacing at something Hayes said. “He’s speaking too loudly.”
I jotted down a few notes for myself and her while keeping an eye on her as she kept complaining. After a few minutes, I opened my lunch container and nudged it toward her. “Eat something before you pass out, Holls.”
She blinked at it like I’d handed her a calculus problem. “What’s that?”
“Chicken and rice,” I said proudly.
“I don’t think I can eat right now.”
“You should if you want to feel better.”
She leaned back in her chair, clutching her stomach. You’re the worst ever, you know that? I’m dying here, and you want to stuff me with chicken.”
I didn’t take her words as an attack because I knew she didn’t mean them that way. But I wasn’t going to force her to eat if she truly didn’t feel like it. “The offer stands,” I said, nudging the food closer to her.
“I dreamed about chicken last night,” she suddenly informed me. “And about you. And your hot porn star stepdaddy.”
That made me freeze. “What?”
“Yeah.” She squinted at me, expression still hazy from exhaustion. “You were on a movie set, and he was telling you to fluff him up.”
As funny as her little dream sounded, knowing it wasn’t just a silly little dream made me nervous. I tried to focus on the chicken part of her dream. “And how does the chicken fit into all of that?”
She shrugged. “No idea. I think it was just there. Like, background chicken.”
I just gave a nod, hoping she would start complaining about Hayes again, but she continued talking about the dream. “It was the weirdest, yet hottest dream I ever had. I woke up confused and slightly concerned for your innocence.”
I pressed my lips together and looked down at my notes, pretending to focus on the page. “Not that innocent anymore.” It slipped out of me without a warning.
She tilted her head. “What do you mean?”
I hesitated, closing my eyes before looking at her. I kept my voice low to ensure no one else would hear me. “I told him I want to be his fluffer.”
Her eyes widened, all traces of her hangover magically gone. “You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
“Actually? What did he say? Oh my god, Lana, what did he say?”
“Keep it down,” I hissed.
“Lackie, Marsh!” Hayes called out our last names from his desk at the front, and we both looked at him. I braced myself, ready to be scolded for talking during class. Holland, on the other hand, looked annoyed that we got interrupted.
“I’d appreciate it if you two would lower your voices. I know not everything I talk about down here is interesting but at least don’t interrupt my class.”
“Sorry, professor,” I replied instantly. “It won’t happen again.”
Hayes gave me a nod, then raised a brow at Holland, expecting her to apologize too. I nudged her side, and she sighed.
“I’m also sorry.”
