Study Partners

Making your way through the campus, the somewhat cold fall air chills you, causing you to pull your jacket close. Almost to the library for a day of studying, you're not looking forward to it, but with finals just a week away and your roommate situation, it's your only option.

Taking the last few steps of the law library, you push through the heavy wood doors and walk into the lobby. Taking a second, you breathe in the smell of coffee freshly brewing from the coffee cart just down the hall and the sound of nothing. Quietness. Only a few other students are here this early, but it's the quietness you have been looking for. Your roommate is great and all, but the girl has got to get her own place if she plans to go at it with her boyfriend all the time.

"You know you actually have to open up the books; you can't learn this stuff through osmosis," Sam whispers in your ear, pulling you out from your thoughts and back to reality.

You turn to face him; he has a smile forming, which causes his dimples to just barely show on his face. His hazel eyes looking at you fresh and ready to take on the day. He's such a morning person; the total opposite of you.

"Hey, you never know it could work," you say, smiling back at him. "Besides, I'm just trying to get ready for this cram session that we have today. Coffee?" You say, leading the way to the coffee cart. This really wasn't a question since Sam knows it's the only thing that will get your brain going.

After getting your coffees, you make your way up to the third floor, through the mazes of bookshelves to the back corner. You are studying corner since freshman year, this has been your place together ever since you found each other and have been inseparable ever since.

FLASHBACK

Just a month into your first semester and you were all ready to throw in the towel, pack up your bags, and join the circus. God, what were you thinking?! Becoming a lawyer- and at Sanford no less. These thoughts kept playing through your mind as you headed to the third floor of the library to start your late-night study session.

It's not like you are dumb. On the contrary, you were the top of your class in high school, valedictorian, and your SAT scores were high. It's just this class, Business Law, was kicking your butt. Making your way through the rows of books to the back corner, you stopped dead in your tracks when you found someone else sitting at the table.

You recognized him from some of your classes; he was focused on the book in front of him, his head down, his short brown hair just slightly growing out. The table was covered with a few more books and a laptop. You really didn't want to find another spot; this was your spot; the third floor was nice and quiet. Hardly anyone came up past the second floor. You were about to turn around and look for another table when his head snapped up.

"Hey," He said, pulling the earbuds out, his hazel eyes focused on you. 'God, he's cute,' you think.

"Hey...sorry didn't know anyone would be up to here...or even be in the library on a Thursday night," you said, trying to play it cool, but inside, the idea of talking to this cute guy was causing your stomach to flip and flop. "I'll just..." you started to back away slowly, hoping to leave without totally embarrassing yourself.

"Wait...I know you; you're in my Business Law and Ethics class, right?" He asked, causing you to stop a beat. You nodded in agreement. "Don't go...I mean, there's plenty of space. Besides, I could use someone to study with; these classes are kicking my ass," he said with a slight laugh causing a smile to appear.

God, how could you say no to that? "Sure," you replied, making your way towards the table and taking a seat across from him.

"I'm Sam, by the way."

"Y/N, nice to know I am not the only one struggling," you mentioned with a smile, pulling out your books and laptop.

It was then and there that you and Sam became friends, inseparable, really. After that one study session, you both aced your next tests and decided not to break the streak, always studying in the same spot on the third floor.

PRESENT, Several Hours later-

"Oh my god, I need a break," getting up from the chair, you stretch your arms over your head, causing your back to crack loudly. Picking up the empty coffee cup, you walk over and toss it in the trash can.

"Yeah, I am done with this; I don't think my brain can take anymore," Sam says, running his hands across his face and through his hair.

"Oh, come on, Sam, you could have been done last week; you don't need to study," you say, rocking your head side to side, feeling the small cracks rush your neck. God that feels good.

"What do you mean? I have to take these finals just like you?" he questions, giving you an inquisitive look, wondering what you're getting at.

"Oh, come on, Sam! You took your LSATs last week. You know you aced them. You will have your pick of schools. Why waste your time on some exams? You're already passing the class," she huffs in frustration, knowing full well that Sam was on his way to better things, his pick of law schools. Who knows where you will end up. "I'm the one who should be worried," you mumble out the last line; the thoughts of what your future looks like without him is not something you want to think about.

"We don't know that; I could have bombed them," He says, getting up and crossing the small distance to lean against the table in front of you. "Besides, you haven't gotten your scores back either; I am sure you did better than me," he states, crossing his arms, "Why the self doubt?"

Shit, you knew as soon as you said that last statement that he would question you about it. That was one of the many things you love and hate about Sam. He could always pick up your moods, and he would always confront you when you needed it, make you face up and talk it out. Taking a deep breath, you start to walk away, but he takes hold of your long sleeve t-shirt and holds you in place.

"Come on Y/N, talk to me; what's up?" concern written all over his face, especially his eyes. Taking another breath, you know their no point in fighting him; he will not let up.

"I'm just worried that I won't get in anywhere; that I'll have done all this work, and it will be for nothing." Feeling your anxiety level rising, you take another deep breath and look down at the floor, knowing that if you make eye contact with him, that you'll break down.

"Hey, come on, you are going to pass the LSAT, and you're going to get into a great school. Y/N...look at me," he says, taking your chin in his hand, raising your face so your eyes lock on his, "You're awesome, and you have this; you just have to keep telling yourself this."

"I know," you say, your voice not conveying the conviction that Sam is looking for.

"Y/N...you're going to do amazing things. Come on, give me a smile," he says, with a smirk, causing his dimples to pop, knowing that you can't resist. You give him a half-smile.

"I know, I'm sorry, just in my head, stressing." Giving your head a shake, knowing you will do well. You give him a genuine smile, which causes his smile to get bigger.

"You're my best friend," he says, then pulls you in for one of his hugs. Sam gives the best hugs, holding you close and tight as if he never wants to let you go.

ITS 11:50PM- THE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSING IN TEN MINUTES.

The voice comes over the loudspeaker singling that it was time to go, another day spent in the library with Sam. Yeah, it was a day full of studying, but you wouldn't have it any other way.

"Let's go get a drink," Sam says in your ear.

"Yes! Please, god!" you say, which causes him to laugh, and his body shakes against yours. He releases you. "Thank you," you say, stepping to the side to pack your books into your bag.

"For what?" Sam asks, picking up his own bag.

Slinging his messenger bag over his head, so the strap is across his chest, he walks back over to you. Taking his hand into yours, "Being here for me," you say, starting to walk down the hall towards the elevators.

"Always," he says, waiting for the elevator to open. He leans in and gives you a quick kiss on the head just as the doors open.