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“I’m not staring at his goatee, I’m paying attention.”
“How can you pay attention and talk to me at the same time? Last class we learned there was no such thing as multi-tasking.” She breaks her stare down with Anderson’s facial hair and turns to give me the full force of her glare.
“Did you invite me to sit here just to annoy me?” A grin splits across my face.
“Maybe.” Rolling her eyes, Trip shifts her chair to the left and starts taking notes. I follow her lead, opening my notebook and turning my attention to the lecture. Ten minutes go by, then twenty. At the half hour mark, I feel her looking over at me, no doubt curious about my lack of annoyance.
I let another fifteen minutes pass before tossing a piece of paper her way. She jumps as it hits her, and I stifle a laugh. Keeping my eyes trained on Anderson, I pretend not to notice the dirty look she shoots my way.
I continue taking notes, completely oblivious to the sound of paper crinkling as Trip unfolds the note. A couple seconds go by until the same piece of paper finds its way onto my lap.
“Excuse me miss, does this belong to you?” I hold the piece of paper towards Trip, pasting a puzzled expression onto my face. She rolls her eyes, choosing to ignore me.
Chuckling to myself, I unfold the note.
On a scale of one to goatee, how likely is it that Anderson assigns another essay due Monday?
My familiar handwritten scrawls along the top as I read Trip’s response.
Goatee hands down. Good news is I showed up on time today, so it’ll probably only be 8 pages instead of 10.
She’s not wrong. Anderson has assigned us essays every single week, and so far, the longest one was the conditioning punishment. Coincidentally, every class since then, not a single student has showed up late. The deal is you’re either seated, ready to go 5 minutes before class starts or you don’t show up. After Trip’s misfortune, we all learned the unwritten rules pretty quickly.
Have you learned to finish papers before Sunday night yet?
I toss the note over, aiming for her head. It misses and bounces off her nose onto the desk. Touchdown.
I do my best work last minute. You should try it sometime.
I scoff at her response.
Strategy over procrastination, honey. I dare you to try it.
I crumple the paper into a ball, line up my shot, and flick it over.
In that case, it’s only fair you try my way. I’ll finish this week’s essay tonight; you have to wait until Sunday evening to get started.
I try not to flinch as I read her response. Talk about backfire. There’s no way I can wait until Sunday evening to start my essay, my stress organs will collapse from the pressure. Although, I suppose there is still a way to turn this around….
You’ve got yourself a deal. But to make sure you complete the assignment by tonight, I’m going to have to supervise.
Surprise spreads across her face as she reads my note and I find myself holding my breath for her response.
After what feels like an eternity, a crumpled heap hits the side of my face. Resisting the urge to unfold it, I reach up and touch the spot it hit, shooting a wince at Trip as my fingers touch the spot.
Ow,I mouth to her, cradling my cheek in my hands.
My charades pay off because the lip twitch Trip tries to contain turns into a full-on snort that resonates across the room. It’s easily the best sound I’ve heard in years.
Our moment comes to a grinding halt when Anderson pauses mid-speech and looks directly at us. “Is there something you’d like to share with the class, Miss Mackenzie?” We freeze like a couple of deer in headlights.
Serena, my money-smuggling empress now sitting in the front row, calmly raises her hand. “Sir, I was wondering about your office hours. Is there any chance you hold some online?”
The question does the trick, as Anderson’s attention is turned away from us and onto a long spiel of how online productivity compares to that of in person. Sending a silent prayer of thanks to the hustler in the front row, I slowly unravel Trip’s message.
You’re on.
Best twenty bucks I’ve ever spent.
