Yup, I'm definitely falling.
Chapter 22
Rolled a Natural 20 in Gay
Sebastian
It's midterm week, and Gavin and I haven't seen each other in days. I'm kinda living for his texts.
Golden Retriever BF
[Photo of a completely destroyed textbook]
murdered my statistics book
it had it coming
Me
Organic Chemistry is murdering ME, Trade you?
I text back between formula reviews.
Golden Retriever BF
[Voice note] "Babe, you got this. You're literally the smartest person I know. That O.C. exam doesn't stand a chance. Also, I miss your face. And your butt. But mostly your face. Okay equally. Is that weird? Fuck, deleting this?—"
The voice note cuts off. I replay it three times, grinning like an idiot while my study group judges me.
Me
Don't delete those. They're getting me through this hell week.
Thursday is the dreaded day that we have been working so hard for. I made it through the psychology exam thanks to Gavin's tutoring. I was able to give insights into the questions that I had been completely missing pre Gavin. But now it's presentation day, and I'm freaking out again.
"Breathe," Gavin's voice comes through my earbuds. "In for four, hold for four, out for four."
I'm pacing outside the presentation room, trying not to hyperventilate. My oral presentation is in five minutes.
"I'm breathing," I lie.
"No, you're not. I can hear you panic-wheezing from here." There's rustling on his end. "Remember what we practiced? You know this shit backwards. The professor's gonna be blown away by your massive brain."
"My massive brain is currently leaking out my ears."
"Hot. Tell me more about your leaking fluids."
"Gavin!”
"There we go. Now you're pissed instead of scared. You're welcome." His voice softens, and I can practically see that stupid grin through the phone. The one that makes his eyes crinkle at the corners.
"Seriously, though. You've got this, Doc. I know you thought I was just some dumb jock blowing sunshine up your ass, but I've watched you explain cellular respiration like it's poetry. You know this material better than the professor does."
I stop pacing, caught off guard by the sincerity in his tone. "Gavin?—"
"Nah, let me finish. You're gonna walk in there, and you're gonna blow their minds with all that sexy brain power. And then afterward, we're gonna celebrate. Pizza, beer, maybe one of those terrible horror movies you pretend you don't love."
My anxiety doesn't disappear, but it shifts into a manageable level. Now it feels less like I'm drowning and more like nerves I can actually work with. "You're really confident about this."
