“Yeah, it’s due at midnight.”
“Oh.”
“Why, did you want to hang out?”
“Well, you know my double date plan? Atticus agreed, and we decided on Friday night since that’s the only time that works for both of us, but your project —”
“I can finish it early,” he said.
“Are you sure?”
“I can make it,” Leo said firmly. “This will force me to not leave the final details to the last minute like I always do. I have classes on Friday, so…” he trailed off as he worked it out in his head. “I’ll submit it Thursday night.”
“Are you sure?” I couldn’t help but ask again.
“Of course. I can’t let you down, especially after you begged me to help you.”
“I didn’t beg.”
“You said, ‘Please, Leo, please.’ I’d classify that as begging.”
“Oh, whatever.”
He laughed. “So I’ll see you on Friday?”
“Yep, I’ll text you the details.”
Thursday night, I messaged Leo.
Edwin: How’s it going with your project?
He replied a minute later with a photo of his desk. It was even messier than I remembered it, the white surface almost completely covered in pieces of card and paper of all different colours and textures.
Leo: I’d say 50% to go.
Edwin: 50%??? You said you planned to submit it tonight.
Leo: Yeah, I will, but maybe later than I expected, lol.
Leo: I’ll finish it by 6am definitely
Edwin: Are you sure? If you can’t make the date on Friday, I get it.
Leo: No, don’t worry, I’ll get it done tonight! Trust me.
I bit my thumbnail as I read his message. How could he be so relaxed?
Edwin: Do you need help?
Leo: You really want me to go on this double date with you, don’t you haha.
Edwin: And I want to help you with your project. If there’s anything I can do, let me know.
Leo: Actually?
Leo: Because if you did help I might be able to go to sleep at a reasonable time haha
Edwin: Yeah I’m serious.
