Authors: Bridget Lang
Emma stepped into class exhausted from last night. She couldn't let the lack of sleep get to her though. She had to focus. Her first lab was the most crucial one. It could set the tone for how the rest of her classes went the next two years. If it went well, she'd know that all of her other classes would go well too. It might have sounded a little like superstition, but she firmly believed it.
She took a seat at a lab table and opened her new blank notebook. A pencil sat beside it, another one tucked behind her ear. Professor Douglas walked into the room and the class fell silent. She felt the discomfort she'd been facing since her arrival at this school ease ever so slightly. These were her people now. Science majors like herself. Professor Douglas was supposed to be brilliant, and she looked forward to his first lecture.
"Good morning," Professor Douglas said, opening his briefcase and setting some papers on his desk. "Glad you all could make it. Welcome to Biology 101A. This class contains a lab. If you are in the wrong class, you have the opportunity at this time to gracefully remove yourself from this room without any harm coming to you." He smiled and a few people chuckled.
"Alright," he said after a moment. "So I shall assume you all belong here. Let us begin. Biology is possibly the most important class you will have during your time at this school. It will give you the foundation for—"
It was just then that the door opened and Mason walked in. He looked around the room, and instead of heading quietly to his seat, rose one hand and pointed at a group of football players sitting in the back of the room. "Hey! You guys are stuck in this class too! I thought I was gonna be forced to get through this all alone."
He walked to the back of the class and raised his hand, palm open. The players took turns slapping it. Emma watched the scene, horrified at the egotism and disrespect Mason and his friends displayed. She'd somehow managed to ignore the other football players in the room. They'd been quiet enough until Mason arrived, now they joined him in his coarse social meanderings. Professor Douglas stood at the front of the room, his head in his hands. "Mr. Haley, please take a seat. Class has already begun and you are late."
Mason's smile faltered a second before resuming the idiotic grin Emma was starting to think was permanently etched on his face. He searched the room and his eyes fell on Emma. His smile widened. She quickly looked away. It wasn't until he was pulling out the chair beside hers that Emma realized her table had the only open seat left in class.
Great
, she thought.
What did I do to deserve this?
Any of the other football players would have been better. Mason seemed to her the king of the Cretans.
Professor Douglas continued his speech. "The person you are sitting next to will be your lab partner for the rest of the semester. So exchange phone numbers, emails, and whatever else you kids are using these days. The point is you will need to work together or neither of you will succeed in this class."
Emma's stomach churned. She watched Mason out of the corner of her eye as he clicked his pen, tapped his foot, and doodled all over his notebook instead of writing down anything of value. She saw a few heads turn and look at him, so she knew it wasn't just her that he was distracting.
"Mr. Haley," Professor Douglas called. Mason looked up from a drawing he was doing of a big breasted woman holding a banana. "Why don't you tell the class the answer to my question."
"Sure. What was the question?" Mason grinned at their professor, who looked like he was getting closer to a coronary the longer class went on.
"The question was: what is the definition of biology?"
Mason hesitated a moment then said, in all seriousness, "It's like, when you cut people and pets open to see what they look like inside."
There were several chuckles from around the room. The light in Mason's eyes dimmed ever so slightly but his smile stayed plastered where it was.
"Biology," Professor Douglas said, "in the simplest terms, is the study of living organisms. Perhaps later in the semester we'll be able to study you, Mr. Haley. I'd be interested to see how just how much damage playing football has done to your brain. There's obviously been a great deal." Mason's face turned a shade pinker but Emma didn't care. It had been such an easy question a squirrel could have answered it. She didn't think Mason was even trying.
When the professor finally told everyone to turn to their lab partners and begin the first assignment, Emma groaned. She opened her lab book to the first page and when she looked back up Mason was staring at the door.
"We should get started," she told him.
"Sure," he said, still staring at the door.
"Why don't we read through the assignment together, then I'll do the first section?"
"Whatever you want," he said, finally turning to her and grinning. "I've got practice today."
She stared at him, her mouth dropping open, wondering what the hell his having practice had to do with their assignment. She saw the vacant look in his eyes and realized this was never going to work. She slammed her book shut and walked to the front of the room, where Professor Douglas was seated.
"Professor," she said, lowering her voice, though not bothering to lower it enough so that everyone in class couldn't hear if they tried. "I think I need a new partner."
Professor Douglas peered over her shoulder at Mason, who was watching them with wide, hurt eyes. Emma was sure it was all an act; she doubted that Mason cared enough about her or this class to be hurt.
"I understand, Ms. Davis, but I'm afraid that there is no one else left to partner with at this time. Just do your best and let me know if you have any problems."
Emma turned away, expelling a breath a frustration. Luckily for her, class ended and she was able to put Mason off until tomorrow. She'd have to figure out a way to deal with him if she was going to be stuck with him. She couldn't trust him to understand the material, let alone do any work. She'd just have to do it all herself and hope for the best. Maybe she could join a study group.
"Hey, Emma," Mason was calling from behind her in the hallway. She turned to him, afraid to hear what idiotic thing might come out of his mouth next.
"Yes?" she asked, her voice cold. She resented being forced to have him as her partner.
"Look, I just wanted to say... to tell you not to worry. I'll pull my weight on our assignments."
Emma laughed. She couldn't help it. It wasn't like her to be sarcastic, but she was still mad at him for keeping her awake last night. "Gee, thanks Mason. You've given me so many wonderful insights into biology already, I can't wait to see what you come up with next." Then she turned, a twinge of guilt flickering across her face as she saw Mason's hurt expression. She pushed it away and hurried to her next class.
Emma sat on her bed, books piled at her feet. She pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes as she scribbled her answer to her chemistry professor's questions. Her glasses slid down her nose and she pushed them back up. The door opened and Zoey and Mason stumbled in, their faces pressed together in a hard lockdown that made Emma groan. Zoey shot her a look but said nothing.
"Hey Emma," Mason said, before Zoey pulled him to her bed.
Emma ignored them. At least at first. But the sucking noises they were making just kept getting louder and louder until Emma thought her ears might start bleeding.
"Can't you guys give it a rest for one night?" she finally shouted, snapping her head towards them.
Zoey propped herself up on her arms and peered across the room at Emma. "This is my room too Mouse. I can do what I want in it."
"Zoey," Mason said, "maybe we should just—"
"No," Zoey snapped. "Mouse is just jealous." She craned her neck up and kissed Mason. Emma saw him watching her out of the corner of his eyes. He actually looked embarrassed. "I'll be right back," Zoey told him. She stomped over to Emma's bed. "I'm going to use the bathroom, or do you think you own that too?" Then she turned, her blonde hair swinging out behind her. It was so long it actually smacked Emma's face before she stamped off.
Emma resumed trying to concentrate on her chemistry homework, but she was much too aware of Mason sitting across from her on Zoey's bed. She could feel his eyes on her. "What?" she finally demanded, turning to him.
"I didn't say anything."
"Why are you staring at me? Don't you have something better to do, like..." Emma's mind raced, trying to think of an insult. "...Like count sheep or something?"
Mason raised an eyebrow. "Count sheep?" He grinned at her and Emma felt her cheeks go red. She'd never been very good at quick and witty comebacks.
"Never mind," she said, burying her nose in her book.
"Why does Zoey keep calling you Mouse?" he asked.
Emma looked back at him, not sure whether he was serious. "Why don't you ask Zoey?"
He shrugged. "I'd rather ask you."
Emma felt the red in her cheeks deepen. "Because," she said. "I'm quiet like a mouse and like to hide in my room a lot. That's what most of the girls here call me."
"Doesn't seem very nice," he said.
Emma stared at him, uncertain what was happening. Mason was displaying real human emotions. He was actually interacting with her in a way that didn't make her want to smack him.
Is it possible I've been too hard on him?
Zoey came back in just then and went straight to Mason, tousling his hair with her manicured fingers before dragging him back on top of her.
"Miss me?" Zoey asked.
"Always babe," Mason said. He dug his face into her Double D chest and Emma rolled her eyes. She didn't know what she'd been thinking. Mason was exactly like she'd always thought—loud and crass and dumb.
Emma scrunched her brow and turned back to her books. The bed started squeaking and Emma froze. She peeked over her shoulder. She didn't want to be in the room if they were actually having sex. She thought she might vomit if that happened. But they were still just making out. She breathed a sigh of relief and wished that she had some head phones she could just plug in. Classical music was supposed to help make your brain retain information. She wondered why she hadn't thought of that before and made a mental note to pick up some ear buds when she had a chance.
Zoey let out a loud moan and Emma threw her book down. "That's it," she said, jumping off her bed. Zoey and Mason paused in their face sucking to throw Emma a look that she interpreted to mean they both pitied her and wished she'd leave.
"Sorry," Zoey smirked, "are we being too loud?"
Emma sighed as she threw her books into her bag along with her notebooks, pens, and anything else she might possibly need for the next few hours.
"Where are you going?" Mason asked.
"The library," Emma replied. She turned with her bag strapped over her shoulder. The weight of it forced her shoulders into an uneven posture and Emma shifted her weight uncomfortably. Mason was staring at her.
"Where did you say?"
Emma couldn't believe he was really this dumb. "The library! It's the place with all the books where people go to study and get away from distractions."
Zoey laughed and nuzzled her head against Mason's neck. "Finally," she said. "We can be alone. She started to nibble on Mason's ear as Zoey grabbed her jacket.
"Why don't you come with us to the party at Phi Kappa Psi?" Mason asked suddenly. Zoe pulled away from him, her eyes bulging out of her head. Emma paused with her hand on the door.
Is he talking to me?
"I'm sorry," Emma said. "Did you just ask me to go to a frat party with you?"
"Sure," Mason said, smiling. "Why not?"
Emma didn't even know how to respond to something like that. Frat parties were the furthest thing from her mind. Mason obviously didn't get it. Still... it was nice that he had asked.
"Are you crazy?" Zoey screeched at him.
Mason turned to her and said, "She's got as much right to go as anyone."
Emma stifled a laugh as Zoey tried to stop her head from exploding.
"Thanks," Emma said, "but I really do need to study. Frat parties aren't really my thing." She gave Mason a tentative smile before stepping into the hallway. As soon as the door was closed Zoey started screaming at him.
Emma felt bad for Mason. He was too stupid to realize that being nice to her would only make things harder for him with Zoey. Maybe Emma didn't have to be quite so hard on him. It probably wasn't his fault his was dumb. He was probably born that way. She headed to the library, wondering what went on at frat parties anyways, and wishing for the first time in her life that she wasn't quite so mouse-like.
Emma had never realized what a blessing sorority rush night was. The dorm was silent. For the first time since she'd arrived, Emma actually thought she could hear herself breathe. She smiled as she sat back on her bed, her books spread open around her.
She reread the biology riddle Professor Douglas had given at the end of class today. Though technically not homework, he was offering a whopping ten extra credit points to anyone who could answer it. She flipped through the pages of her bio book again. She'd already been looking for the answer to this question for a half hour. It was getting ridiculous. Even Google hadn't been able to help.
There was a knock on the door and Emma sighed. She got off her bed and opened it, expecting to see one of Zoey's friends. Mason stood there, his eyes widened when he saw her.
"Hey Emma," he said. "Sorry to bug you. Is Zoey here?"
"No," Emma said, annoyed at the intrusion. She'd finally gotten some time alone and of course Mason has to show up.
"Oh." Mason stood there, his eyes moving around in their sockets, uncertain how to proceed. "Do you know where she is?"
"No," Emma said again, her irritation growing. "Why don't you call her cell?"
"I tried." His eyes struggled to maintain their normally light and carefree attitude. He looked so distressed that Emma couldn't help but notice it.
"Er, is everything okay?" she asked. She didn't really care, but he just looked so... unhappy. It wasn't in her nature to disregard someone when they were in the midst of a crisis, even if that person was Mason.
"Sure," he said. Emma relaxed. Good, he didn't want to tell her anyways. She could send him on his way without any guilt. "Actually, yes."
Emma sighed. She should have known this wouldn't be so easy. She noticed then that his hands were twitching. His eyes continued to dart around in their sockets, like his mind was racing. "Why don't you come in?" she finally asked, giving in to her better nature and opening the door wider.
He blew out a deep breath and Emma was caught off guard when she realized he smelled like cinnamon and chocolate. It was a favorite combination of hers that reminded Emma of her grandmother. She inhaled deeply as he stepped into the room.
"I'm sorry," he said, pacing the floor now. "I thought Zoey would be here and you'd be at the library."
"It's alright," Emma said. "I tried the library. It was just as loud and crowded as the frat houses tonight. Er... so what's up?"
He stopped pacing and looked at her, his face distraught. "It's Zoey. I... I think she's cheating on me."
Emma's eyes widened. "What makes you say that?" It was hard to believe she'd cheat on someone like Mason. He was perfect for her. Sexy, gorgeous, the star of the football team. Who better to date the head cheerleader?
"She's just been acting so weird lately. I mean, she seems like she's into me when I'm with her, but then I've been hearing things from some of the other guys on the team."
Emma scoffed. Mason shot her a look with red rimmed eyes and she immediately regretted it.
"Sorry," she said. "Look, maybe she's not cheating on you. She's probably just busy with school work and, you know, cheer stuff." Even as she tried to comfort Mason though, she remembered what Zoey had said to her friend not so long ago when she'd expressed an interest in Mason:
Maybe you can have him when I'm done with him.
There had been something very cold and cavalier about Zoe's words that made her think Mason's instincts were probably correct.
"Why do I always do this?" he said, pounding the sides of his head with his fists. "Why can't I just fall for someone simple, like you?"
Emma laughed.
Simple
? Mason didn't even know when he was insulting a person. She turned back to her bed and opened her book. "She's at one of the sorority houses," she said. "Why don't you just leave her a note and go?"
"I'm sorry," Mason said. "I didn't mean that you were... uh, simple. You're really smart."
Emma smiled in spite of herself. "It's fine Mason."
He sat down in a chair at Zoe's desk. "Um, do you think I could borrow a sheet of paper? That was a good idea. To write her a note."
Emma groaned as she ripped a sheet of paper from her binder and handed it to him. "What are you working on?" he asked.
"Our bio homework."
"Oh. Are you doing that extra credit question?"
She glared at him from the corner of her eye. "Yes, but don't even think of asking me for the answer. I've already spent a half hour trying to figure it out. I'm not sharing it with someone who hasn't even tried to do it."
"I wasn't asking," Mason said, irritated, turning to his paper. "Why do you get so upset about stuff all the time? It seems like you're not very happy."
Emma started. Mason's words stung her without meaning to. She was happy. Wasn't she? "I'm... I just don't like being disturbed when I'm trying to work. My grades are important to me. If I don't keep them up I can't stay at Stanford."
Mason turned back to her, curious. "You're on a scholarship?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Me too," he said. "Only what I need to keep up with is football. It's not easy. I bet it's not easy for you either. There's a lot of pressure."
"Well," Emma said, softening a bit. "Yeah. There is."
They looked at each other a moment, their eyes locked. It was the first time Emma realized they might actually have something in common. Finally, she shook her head, clearing it. "I really need to finish this," she said.
"Yeah, of course," Mason said, turning back around and continuing with his letter. Emma was deep into hating Professor Douglas for his stupid biology riddle when something struck the side of her head. She looked at her bed and saw a paper airplane flittering to her mattress.
"Mason!" she yelled. Even without Zoey here she just couldn't get any peace. "Get out!"
"Sorry," he said, grinning.
"Just go!" Emma said, and threw a pillow at him. He scurried from the room, and Emma let out a loud scream. He was so irritating!
She picked the airplane up and tossed it into her wastebasket. Its nose hit the bottom and Emma noticed some writing on the inside of the right wing. She picked it back out of the waste basket and unfolded it, curious what Mason had been writing to Zoey before deciding to play darts with her head.
Emma's jaw dropped open. Written on the paper was not a letter to Zoe, but the answer to the riddle she had spent the last forty minutes working on.