“The famous department store? They have a memorial to Princess Diana there.”
“Well, sure...,” Sage adds. “If we have time, I guess. So you’re coming?”
“I’m coming. As long as you promise to break up the museums with some fluff.”
Chapter
16
“It’s too much to memorize.” I drop my head onto thedesk. Five weeks in means our first tests, and my brain is about to explode from so much studying. I spent the entire weekend focusing on chemistry and social psych, but now my brain is officially closed for business. I’ve been reading over my art history notes and I’m no closer to having all these artists and paintings memorized. In fact, I’m one flash card away from setting my textbooks on fire.
Sage looks up from her planner. “If you don’t like memorization, then you shouldn’t have taken art history. What did you think it was going to be about?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t really know what art history was. It sounded ea—”
“Don’t even say it,” she replies with a judgmental eyebrow raise.
I sigh and flip through the pages of my art history textbook. It’s as heavy as a tombstone and the pages are filled with glossy color photographs of artwork. There are just way too many pieces to remember, and it doesn’t help that they’re all blurring togetherin my mind. I need a new way to study.
I squint at the pages, an idea forming. I reach for my scissors and the rainbow of Sharpies I bought with Sage, then pull up a web browser, my spirits lifting immediately.
Ten minutes later, I’ve printed out photos of fifty pieces of art. I fan them out for Sage. “Look! I’m going to cut each one out and write all the stuff I need to know on the back. I thought I could even color code the types of information to make it easier.”
Her mouth tugs up in a smile. “I thought you hated studying?”
“Well, this doesn’t count.”
“As long as you actually study all this stuff after you finish making it.”
I sigh again. “Yeah. Thatisthe worst part.”
“Oh, stop pouting. What are you even doing here still? Go do this with Dev. You know he loves that stuff.”
“He loves craft projects?”
“No, art history.” She purses her lips. “You need to be more observant.”
“So, you’ve been ‘observing’ Dev, have you?” I wink suggestively.
“I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, no, I’m happy to talk about you and Dev.”
“There is no me and Dev. Just me, sitting here, trying to finish my homework at a decent hour so I can go to sleep.”
“You can’t tell me you’ve never thought about it, though. You guys seem perfect for each other.” I cock my head at her. “Unless you’re not thinking about guys in general?”
“I like theideaof guys—just not the reality.” She shakes her head hard enough that her dangling earrings smack her neck. “I’mtoo busy for all the drama.”
“Too busy for a date? I know you’re serious about school and research, but you have to have some fun too.”
“I can have fun later. The research I’m doing here is important. Dr. Reese is studying the genetic contributions to cancer, and if she’s successful, then it could really impact treatment plans. I have a chance to be a part of that, but the lab I’m working at is really competitive. I can’t lose my position.”
I grimace. It’s hard to argue with that. My promise to help Dev with Sage is looking much tougher to fulfill than I’d imagined.
Even though I’m not convinced that Dev is going to be interested in my silly study strategy, I head to his and Huan’s room on the off chance she’s right. I’m expecting it to be as silent as a church in there, but music blares through their door.
“Good evening, Miss Nichols.”
