"Wake up." A nudge on my shoulder pulled me out of my sleep. I swatted the hand away a few times before opening my eyes.
"We have a lecture this morning. You forget?"
I heard that annoying voice again. The pull of sleep dragged me back under, and I nodded off once more.
Then that same voice rang in my head again.
"Why is it so hard to wake you up?"
Maybe because I'm sleep-deprived?
I sat up lazily, looking at the figure in front of me. Kenan already looked like he'd showered and changed back into the clothes he'd worn on Saturday.
"What time is it?" I asked.
"Half past five."
I groaned. This is why I stay at the dorm so I don't have to wake up so early just to make an 8 a.m. class.
I dragged myself into the bathroom and flicked on the light.
A sigh slipped out.
When I came out of the shower, still drying my hair, Kenan sat up from the chair and stared at me.
Does he think I'm done already?
I laughed.
I went to my wardrobe, full of clothes I hadn't touched in months, and stared at them, contemplating.
Once he realized this was going to take a while, he sat back down. I finally decided and carried the clothes into the bathroom.
He eyed me as I passed, and I did the same.
"What? You have something to say?"
He looked at me again, then turned his attention elsewhere.
I thought so.
I changed into the outfit I'd picked, put on the jewelry I usually wore, and stepped out feeling more awake except for the cologne. I went to where I'd last left it on the desk, stood next to Kenan, and sprayed myself.
He coughed, which prompted me to spray it right in front of him before closing the bottle. I put it into my bag.
"Okay, we can leave now," I said with a smile.
He checked the time on his phone, opening his mouth to say something.
"I don't want to hear it and I didn't do bad for someone who only got two hours of sleep," I rambled.
Kenan laughed, stood from the chair, grabbed his car keys, and headed toward the door.
I followed him, closing the door behind me. I probably wouldn't see this room again until Christmas .
On the stairs, I stopped to put on my shoes. Kenan looked back, rolling his eyes.
Why was he already so sassy this early in the morning?
"You can go ahead," I said.
He turned back and walked out. And here I thought I was the strict one about leaving early.
I hurried into my shoes and went outside.
The sky was just beginning to clear, the cold air making me shiver. I got into the car, where Kenan was already in the driver's seat, and shut the door.
The blast of the AC was even colder than outside.
Is he not cold?
I pulled on my jacket.
The car was already running. He drove off, the road was quiet in the early morning.
"I have to stop at my place to change clothes," he said.
I nodded and looked out the window, soaking in the stillness.
My energy drained again. I leaned my cheek against my shoulder, head resting on the window, and fell asleep quickly only to wake at the sound of the car door closing.
The sudden noise made it impossible to fall back asleep. I yawned and took out my phone, checking my student email first out of habit.
My heart sank slightly at the sight of a reply from my professor. But it was better than expected;no marks deducted, just a reminder to submit the work.
I let out a small sigh of relief, scrolled through my messages, and tapped on the game I used to pass the time.
Some time later, the door opened again. Kenan got in, bringing with him the faint cologne he'd sprayed but his own scent was stronger. His pheromones smelled better anyway.
He was dressed in his usual black, but… different somehow. Handsome?
I looked away.
Something is wrong with me.
I kept my eyes on the window as we left the underground parking.
"Why is it so silent in here?" I asked.
He glanced at me. "Are you allergic to a peaceful atmosphere?"
It was the first thing he'd said to me this morning that didn't involve waking me up.
"No, not entirely."
He put on some music, filling the silence with a low hum. I fell asleep again for the second time that morning.
A nudge woke me, and a cold drink was placed in my hands.
Still dazed, I stared at the matcha.
Right. Breakfast.
I took a sip and muttered a quiet "thank you." The university came into view.
I messaged Jacob as the car rolled to a stop, undid my seatbelt, and grabbed my bag from the floor.
I got out and started walking toward the building, still drained.
Kenan locked the car and caught up with me. I dragged myself toward the elevator. There was no way I was taking the stairs.
Kenan opted for the stairs.
I waited two minutes before stepping into the elevator and pressing the button for the third floor.
Jacob was waiting at the entrance and staring at me. "Oh, what happened to you?"
"Not getting proper rest."
"Oh honey" he said rubbing my shoulders as we entered the class my eyes immediately went to find kenan like it was programmed too.
Why does he sit so far at the end?
Still walking beside Jacob. "Did you get to submit it?"
"Yeah I did I submitted it early this morning kenan helped me"
We departed after he went one stair ahead and sat by Lucian, and I slid into the seat right next to Kenan.
The lecture room grew noisier as students trickled in, voices overlapping.
I took out my notebook and set it on the table. Kenan, who had been focused on his own things, stopped and stared at me.
Weirdo.
As Professor Daniel began setting up, Kenan's hand brushed against mine. I moved it away casually, but he reached for it again.
I kept pushing his hand off in little waves, muttering under my breath,
"Some would think you're a newborn with how clingy you're being."
Kenan just shrugged, lips frowning. "Maybe I am."
I tried to focus on what Professor Daniel was saying, but Kenan wasn't letting go. This time, his fingers wrapped around mine and interlocked, warm and insistent. He brought my hands closer to his face.
"Ouch!" I hissed softly.
"Really, Kenan?"
"What?"
I flexed my hand trying to get out of his grip but he interlocked his hands. "Your hands look rough but they're actually soft."
"So you thought biting it would do something?"
"Maybe I don't know"
I yanked my hand free and shoved him lightly to the side.
"Every day you're getting more childish," I muttered.
I kept my eyes on the professor, but my head grew heavy. My notes blurred, and before I realized it, I was nodding off.
I kept telling myself I was just "resting my eyes" but Professor Daniel's voice was basically a lullaby at this point.
Next thing I knew, my head tilted… and something solid caught me.
"You're actually falling asleep," Kenan muttered lowly.
I grunted in denial but didn't move. It was warm, comfortable… and not worth the effort of sitting up.
He shifted slightly, and my head ended up resting against his shoulder like he'd planned that the whole time.
From the corner of my half-closed eyes, I caught him glancing at me once before turning his attention back to the front, his arm settling along the back of my chair more like a lazy barricade so I couldn't slide away.
I pretended not to notice. He pretended not to care.
And the lecture droned on.
Somehow I woke up mid lecture and my head that was resting on his shoulder I rose up. Covering my mouth as I yawn. I checked the time with only thirty minutes remaining.I really slept throughout the whole lecture.
"So you're up now?" Kenan asked.
Not really knowing how to respond, I just nodded and focused on the rest of the lecture.
When it ended, I walked out with Kenan following right behind me. I'd already made up my mind to head back to the dorm and sleep. I was so tired I was getting tired of being tired.
Kenan came up beside me, striking up a conversation.
"Have you thought about what I asked you?"
Of course I had.
"Yeah… I think it's a good idea. I can't put up with the withdrawals."
Which was true? My mind could handle it because I'm stubborn, but my body? Not so much.
"Are you free this evening?" he asked.
"Well, I have a lecture that finishes at half six."
"Do you have much to move in?"
I did. But he didn't need to know that.
"There shouldn't be much."
"We can do it this evening then?"
"Sure, why not."
We stepped outside the building.
"Well, I'll see you tonight then," he said.
Kenan headed toward his car, and I stood there watching his figure fade into the parking lot. I waited for Jacob so we could walk back to the dorm together.
Five minutes later, Jacob finally emerged from the building, laughing with Lucian. After Lucian waved goodbye, Jacob came over.
"My feet were about to fall off if you took another minute," I said.
"Oh, stop being extra."
And with that, we started our fifteen-minute walk back to the dorm.