Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
I look back at the book beside my open laptop and try to focus.
The library is blissfully quiet tonight, and I’m able to dig in and actually get some work done. I’m not sure exactly how much time has passed when I hear a noise and look up just as I see Curtis coming to the table.
His blond hair is messier than usual, like he’s run his hands through it a million times. He’s likely frustrated about a test like I am. The little bit I got to know him, I learned he’s very vigilant about school and grades, putting a lot of pressure on himself.
“Hey, Zuri,” he says with a smile. “Can I sit?”
“Sure,” I tell him, not wanting to be rude. “How have you been?”
“Stressed. Overwhelmed. My physics teacher has it out for me. I think she hates me.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t hate you,” I tell him. “But I get how it can feel that way sometimes.”
He looks at me for a moment, like he’s not sure what to say, before replying, “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“You can study with me here for a bit. I can help if you need it, but I won’t be here too much longer.”
He beams in this sweet, almost needy way that makes me feel slightly guilty for not trying to be friends with him more. “Really? That would be great!”
I glance at my cell and see that it’s eleven fifteen. I write out a quick text to Ash to let her know I’ll be leaving here by midnight and will meet her at her dorm. It’s closer to the library, so we’re staying there tonight.
“Who was that?” Curtis asks.
“My girlfriend. I was just letting her know when I’d be back.”
“Oh. Is that the dark-haired girl I always see you with?”
I never realized that Ash and I had passed him when we were together, but I guess it makes sense that he’d see us around campus. “Yeah. Let’s get to work, though.”
“Okay,” he says easily, pulling his laptop from his backpack.
I don’t get much more studying done myself as I work with Curtis on his physics and listen to him complain about his professor basically doing her job. Was he always this whiny? I guess I didn’t get to know him well enough before to notice.
We’re only at it for about half an hour before Curtis squints, pressing his fingers to his temples.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, concerned because, honestly, he doesn’t look that good all of a sudden. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I just got hit with a migraine. They wipe me out fast when this happens.”
“Shit. That sucks. Here, I’ll help you pack everything in your bag.”
“No, no. I can do it,” he insists, and I watch Curtis fumble through it. He’s sweating profusely now, shaking, and clearly agitated.
“I just really need to get back to my dorm. I have my migraine medicine there.” Curtis stands. It’s immediately clear he’s not steady on his feet as he sways, then grabs on to the table. “I’m dizzy.”
“Should I call someone?” I reach for my phone.
“No, it’s okay. I’m just going to walk back to my dorm. I’ll be fine once I’m there.”
He tries to walk away again and makes it a few steps before he wobbles and grabs on to a chair to steady himself. “Wait. Stop. Sit down. I’ll walk with you.”
I pack up my things, then hold his arm as I help Curtis out of the library.
“Thanks. I’m embarrassed that I need your help. They don’t usually come on that fast,” he tells me.
“No worries. That’s what friends are for,” I say with a smile. “Which way?”
“I’m in Hamner Hall.”
The quickest way to get us there is by going the back way, along the path close to the woods behind our school.
I pause for a second, the back of my neck tingling.
“We can take the long way,” Curtis says, like he’s reading my mind, but really, at this point, I’m just ready to get back to Ash. Why take an extra ten minutes when I don’t have to? There are people around. Not a ton, of course, but some.
“Nah, it’s fine. Let’s just do this.” I thread my arm through Curtis’s again as we follow the concrete pathway around the library. A lot of people jog and run back here during the day. There are trails that go through the woods, too. It’s one of my favorite parts of the campus.
Curtis continues to stumble some along the way, wincing, sweating, and shaking. I’ve learned a lot about migraines, of course, but I’ve never personally seen someone suffer from one this severely before.
We’re close to a bend on the trail, behind dark buildings, though there are lights along the path, when Curtis stops. “Hold on. I think I’m going to throw up.”
He pulls away from me, taking a few steps, giving me his back, while he bends over, gagging a few times. I watch while he drops his bag, then kneels, still sounding as though he’s trying not to vomit.