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It seemed only natural for our group of four to continue with the study sessions right after class as the midterm loomed closer. Half of the time, I hated it. As we walked from class to the library, Jacob would always find someway to poke fun at me. Often, he mentioned how I was too uptight and serious and stiff and that I needed to loosen up more. Once in the library, he'd go off on and explain concepts to us as if we were all children. When I brought it up with Emily one night over the phone, she just laughed at me.
"Take it easy girl. He's just trying to help."
"It's not helping when he treats us as little kids! He makes me feel inferior to him!" I sniffed.
"Trust me, that's not his intention at all. I think he's helpful."
"I don't know how you can stand it, but if it's helping you, then I guess it's better than none of us getting it then."
"Hang in there," she said to me. "I know you're getting this stuff."
"I am actually. It's just that I hardly get a chance to prove it to you guys once we're in the library. He's the one who's always talking. I'll admit he's smart, but he doesn't have to go and show off like that!"
"Ash! You'd think you had something going for this guy the way you keep bashing him like this!"
"Ugh! What's with you people? I can't find someone totally annoying or something?"
"Not when it comes to a guy," she laughed. "Anyway listen, I have to get going. My mom just reminded me that I have to go pick up my brother from practice. I'll see you in class tomorrow though, all right?"
"Definitely. Good night chica."
"Night."
So yeah. Half the time I hated his company. Other times… Well, I can't say I actually enjoyed it, but part of me actually look forward to having this… verbal sparring with him as we walked from class, I guess you could say. It was a different way for me to vent out some of my pent up energy. Maybe he was right. I really needed to relax more and stop taking school so seriously, and he was giving me the outlet that I needed. And of course, he was helping me out too by providing new ways of insight onto some of the ideas we were learning in class.
"But if only he weren't so annoying!" I complained to my best friend Kelly we walked to class. She was visiting me for a couple of days, and since she didn't want to stay at home and be bored, she decided to come along and meet the guy I was always complaining about.
She laughed. "Come on Ash. No guy can be as bad as you make him sound."
"Believe me, it's possible."
"What? Just because he tries to help you guys out after class?"
"As if I ever complained about getting any help that I could get, no. He just makes me feel so stupid sometimes the way he explains some things."
"Well, do you get it after he explains stuff like that?"
"Yeah…"
"Then it's better to get it than not I say."
"Ugh! You sound just like Emily when I complained to her about that."
She laughed again. "So what does that tell you when the two of us tell you that it's all in your mind?"
"Sorry Kelly. I'm convinced that I'm the right one this time. You guys are all just crazy," I smiled as I led the way down the steps and towards where the others were already waiting. "Em, Dustin, Jacob, this is my best friend Kelly. Kelly, meet Emily, Dustin, and Jacob," I introduced them to each other as we took the two edge seats.
"Hey," the other three greeted her in their own ways as I unzipped my backpack to take out my notebook and a pen to write with. I listened idly as I flipped through my notebook to a fresh page. Kelly was asking about the quarter so far.
"It's not too bad yet I suppose," Emily answered smiling. "I mean the first round of midterms are done, thank goodness, and I didn't do too bad."
"Well that's always good. What about you guys?"
"Not too bad in this class actually," Dustin replied. "I can't say the same for my other classes though. I bombed my first midterms in them."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure you can make it up though."
"I hope so."
"And you? Jacob, right?"
"That's right," he smiled at her. "I'm actually doing well in all my classes, for now at least. Let's just hope it stays that way," he said as he knocked on his desk. He caught me giving him a strange look. "What Ashley? Don't tell me you don't knock on wood. Doesn't hurt."
I answered by rolling my eyes and turning my head away as the professor cleared his throat to signal the start of class.
About halfway through the lecture, I noticed Kelly tearing out a sheet of paper from the notebook she'd brought along with her. She scribbled something real quick and handed it to me.
I don't think he's too bad Ash. I think he's rather nice actually.
I shook my head and chuckled to myself. You just met him. How can you say that?
You told me that you already pretty much disliked him the first moment he opened his mouth.
You didn't have to sit in between the two of them and listen to them talk about their cars for an hour!
They're not talking now.
I glanced over in the dim lecture hall and saw that she was right. Both Dustin and Jacob actually seemed to be paying attention to the lecture for once and not goofing off.
Amazing, I wrote. I think they're on their best behavior for your sake.
Oh please. Why give me such special treatment? I think you're just trying to find excuses to complain. Besides. He's actually kinda cute.
I glanced over at her and found her eyes twinkling with laughter in the dim auditorium. I rolled my eyes.
Are you crazy? You don't know him! His personality more than makes up for whatever good looks he may have!!
Now that's where I think you're wrong Ash. I honestly believe he's a nice guy, and that's from only talking for all of a minute here. You accuse me of not knowing him. Do you know him any better?
She gave me a pointed, knowing look as she waited for my answer. My hand was poised to write a smart remark back at her. Of course I knew him better. Paying half of my attention to the lecture still going on around me, I concentrated and tried to think of what exactly I knew about Jacob. 'He likes cars. He's smart. He's doing well in his classes. He works, although I don't even know where. What else?'
I paid closer attention to my notes and started writing down more of the professor's words than normal, buying time as I desperately thought of something to write back to her. I dared to look at Kelly a few minutes later and saw her giving a triumphant smile. Scowling, I wrote, "He's still a jerk!" and gave the sheet of paper back to her.
She kept the paper and left me alone the rest of lecture.