Salutatorian

Lawrence

Something told him that he wouldn't be able to study until he ate. His stomach had a mind of its own recently. Lawrence ambled over towards the vending machine on his floor of the library. He turned the corner, and quickly turned back.

Emma and Sean were only a few paces from it, seated in a booth, Sean kissing her neckline as Emma appeared to be reading a book. Lawrence huffed a laugh. He didn't understand why she was dating Sean. Well… he kind of did. On the outside, Sean was a golden poster child. He had muscles enough to make three humans, owned charities, was highly intelligent, and… Lawrence just wished Emma knew better. Sean's turnover rate with women was anything but attractive.

Lawrence knew he didn't stand a chance with the pretty little blonde around the corner with her sweet words and the way she really listened when people talked. Instead he had resigned himself to admiring her from afar. He appreciated those few study sessions they'd had together. She was… kind. There weren't many of those people here.

He took a deep breath and rounded the corner to grab a snack.

"Hey Lawrence." Emma smiled, making Sean sit back.

He waved. "Hey Emma. I was grabbing some trail mix. Can't study on an empty stomach."

"Trail mix won't fill you up." She laughed, picking something up off the ground. "Here. Gisa and I baked some cranberry muffins with yogurt. We made so many I have been giving them away all day. I think Sean alone ate like four."

"She's ruining my diet." Sean said, a fake smile plastered on his face, an arm snaking around Emma's shoulders to give her a squeeze. Lawrence knew the squeeze wasn't for Emma. It was to tell Lawrence to take the muffin and stop drooling over his girlfriend.

Lawrence forced himself to laugh, too. "I'll see you guys in class tomorrow. Rumor has it that there's a bonus question based on the next chapter." Lawrence made eye contact with Emma. "Just a heads up."

Emma handed him a napkin with two muffins inside. "Enjoy your studying Lawrence. And thank you."

Lawrence made himself nod and walk away. He knew that the three of them were all competing for the valedictorian spot that year. He and Sean were smart, sure, but Emma was amazing. She was sixteen, a whole two years younger than him and Sean. Lawrence knew it had yet to be seen, but he was pretty sure Emma was going to beat the both of them. Sean probably knew it too. It left them to compete for salutatorian.

A few months ago, it would have driven Lawrence crazy to think he was dumber than some sixteen year old girl from the island, but he could only find it in himself to be proud of his friend. She was a miracle, in fact.

Just because she was probably smarter, didn't mean that he was going to take it easy on her. He opened up his notes and created some practice problems.

The muffins were marvelous, much better than vending machine trail mix. He'd send her a text to say thank you later. He wasn't sure Sean would appreciate it if he sent a text now. Nor did he want to make Sean more of an opponent than he already was.

As the clock ticked on by, and neared closing time of the library, he began to pack up. He wasn't going to be any good if he didn't get any sleep.

He decided to take a peek by the vending machine to see if Emma and Sean were still there. Probably not. Someone was having a party and those two always made an appearance.

To his surprise though, Sean was asleep, his face on an open book. Emma was on her phone, the light illuminating her face. Upon seeing him, she set it down on the table and walked over.

"I need to get some water before we go. Wanna come with?" She asked, not waiting for an answer as they headed towards the vending machine on the other side of the library. "How's studying?"

He shrugged. "About as good as ever. If I ever have to look at another differential equation before tomorrow, I think my eyes will start to bleed."

"Sean and I have had it too." She shook her head. "He suggested we go to a party but the last thing I need right now are flashing lights and loud music. He was pouting, but he'll get over it."

As they neared the vending machine, something seemed to slump in her shoulders a little. "Sorry if I made things awkward earlier." Lawrence said, probably making things awkward yet again.

"No, don't worry about it. Sean is just… insecure I guess." Emma put a dollar into the machine, watching as the machine decided whether or not to spit it back out.

"Are you okay Emma?" Lawrence said. "I don't mean to pry, but if you ever need anything, you have people in your corner. You have me as a friend if you need me."

"Yeah, I know." The water bottle clunked down from the machine. Emma sighed. "I'm just a private person. And that's not wrong, is it?"

"No, there's nothing wrong with that. I think it is very important that people have their own hobbies, or thoughts, or whatever that is just to themselves." Lawrence paused for a moment, considering. Then… "I'll share a secret. I love playing billiards. When I need time to myself, I'll go head over to a spot off campus and shoot around a little and clear my mind."

Emma smiled. "I need something like that. It's exhausting trying to be with people all the time. I've thought about taking up guitar."

"You should," Lawrence smiled as they walked back. "I know a great guitar store. Let me know if you are interested and I can send you the address."

"Thank you Lawrence. This chat has really meant a lot to me." Emma smiled. "And I do consider you a friend. Get some rest, and I'll see you in class."

Lawrence left the library, looking back once as he rounded the corner towards his dorm. He could see Emma waking Sean up at the desk. And as he leaned forward to kiss her, Lawrence looked away.