Wow, Jaylan really called me beautiful.

His veins... I would love to practice IV on him.

"What are you smiling about?" Jessica chuckles.

"Nothing." My eyes stretch wide but I know my smile cannot hide any longer.

Jaylan Parker.

"Doing it again." Spencer chuckles, as a tiny paper ball knocks on the top of my nose.

I crinkle my nose,"Spencer." grunting throwing the paper back to Spencer.

He can be Mateo's twin sometimes.

"Somethings got you in lala land." Jessica arches her brow.

"Or someone." Spencer grumbles.

My mouth gapes open and Jessica arches her brow a bit higher.

"Did you say someone?" Carly chirps.

"I sure did." Spencer rest his arms with lips curl up.

Since my second encounter with Jaylan. I did tell Spencer when we went sledding the other day. He says Jaylan is known whatever that means. Max says the same thing but I don't know him so I can't judge him.

"Am I missing something here." Jessica voice heightens as she slants her eyes.

"Lizzie have you finally meet the guy." Carly, tossing her yellow highlighter on the table she hasn't used.

I mean Carly and I always talked about the dream guy we always wanted to be with but I don't think Jaylan is that guy is he?

He isn't like anything I imagine let alone my Pinterest pins. The pressure with everyone looking at me makes me feel like I'm going to cook and be well done.

"I-"

Spencer leans back in chair with his arms fold as his lips curve up. "She met one of the infamous basketball stars."

I'm not sure what Spencer getting at and I slant my eyes. "Whats that suppose to mean?" I crinkle my nose. I know he likes to tease but what is he getting at? Before I could open my lips.

Carly bounces up and down in her seat. "Oh my gosh when! is it Jordy Cross, ooo no Marcus Greene. Hmmm was it Stephen Hollis? Xavier? Shawn is a number. mmm Rashad is okay but he is doable up your alley" her words spew out like vomit as my cheeks heat up.

"No." I shrink my seat.

Spencer relaxes his arms observing my body turn into stone. "Nope." Spencer lips twist.

Jessica snickers and shakes her head as she flips a page in her book. In a whisper, "Probably wasn't them." Jessica snickers.

Oh she knows.

Carly spewing off all these basketball players of the team except for one person. The dreamy one with the nice veins and have so many tattoos I don't think he has actual skin.

Jessica snaps her pen down, "Carly chill it was Jaylan now focus."

Carly's reaction was priceless. Her nose scrunched up and she let out a small "Oh." Suddenly, her whole body froze as she began typing on her cellphone.

She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to her phone. "He is trouble, Lizzie," she said, her voice dripping with shade. "Plus, I think he is seeing someone."

I couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and curiosity. I mean, someone as amazing as him should be off-limits, right? But his boldness and determination seemed to suggest otherwise, especially when it came to me.

Spencer, always the playful one, couldn't resist teasing me. He flashed a sly grin and said, "Oh, he made quite the entrance yesterday during our study session. She is tutoring him now"

"Dude, what's the deal?" Jessica rolled her eyes at Spencer, clearly annoyed by his comment. The two of them engaged in a silent argument, their eyes doing all the talking.

I tried to downplay the situation, speaking softly as I focused on writing on my index card. "It's not really a big deal," I said, hoping to divert their attention away from the topic. I glance over at Jessica's lips curl up as she anticipates getting the full details later on.

Carly falls silent for a moment before leaning in and asking, "So, did you guys talk about anything?" I shake my head and continue flipping through my pages.

"No not really." My voice squeaks.

"Oh." She hums.

Spencer starts to say something, but Jessica quickly pinches his arm, causing him leap out of his seat. The two exchange a look, their eyes going from big to small as if they were having an arguing again. Meanwhile, Carly glances at them before returning her attention to her phone, typing away still on her phone.

"I'll be right back." I mumble, getting up from my seat. I quickly leave and walk out the room to the computers in the library to print my clinical post conference papers.

The last thing I need is all three to make this a big deal. It was just two encounters not like we have some whole love story you know like the telenovelas I watch aimlessly on a Friday night. I mean sure Jaylan is dreamy, tall, handsome, tall and handso-

My body makes impact to a steel plate one.

"Woah, watch it shorty." A familiar deep laugh draws my eyes up to a familiar one.

"S-sorry." I rasp.

"Totally fine. Elizabeth right?" His voice rasp.

"Yeah." I look down at my yellow crocs. "Rashad?" I chuckle softly.

His gentle touch on my arm sends shivers down my spine. I lean in closer, feeling the heat between us. "Yeah, so what you up to here?"

"Oh just studying."

He is dress in a UMD basketball hoodie and black sweats to match. His glasses magnify in the dim light. It is simple for him and hot.

I wonder if Jaylan wears glasses?

"Ah I see health care life right." He shakes his Anatomy and Physiology book.

"Right." I bite the inside of my cheek.

His eyes capture everything of me making my whole body warm up.

He licks his lips, "Well it was nice to see you again. We should hang out sometime." He pulls out his phone.

My heart begins to race as he is about to give me his phone. I step back again like a scaredy cat as I see a few people whisper and look at our interaction.

"I..I only have what's app. I don't have a direct line here." I lie.

"Oh well, what about social media." He offers, moving his hand back and forth. The background is a photo of him and birthday boy at six flags palming basketballs forward with hard expressions.

"I-"

"Yo, Rashad what's up." A guy catches his attention and I step back again.

"S'up Cody!"

He looks at me giving me a one minute finger as he goes over and gives a tight handshake with the Cody guy.

I spin my crocs. I make my exit and before Rashad said anything I make to the the million of computers to be unseen. I never had guys approach me like this in the last three years I've been here. Sure it's been a hey what's up but boldly like that I can't believe it.

I like it.

My lips curve as I click print on the document I need for clinical. I know I just turn a guy a way but I have my eyes on a particular tall coloring book.

Jaylan is a mystery.

Max wasn't thrilled but she didn't say anything further what happen the other day. It was just a large amount of threats to stay away from me which only made Jaylan smile grow as big
as his height.

He has a really nice smile.

My chest fills with lightness thinking how bright and perfect his teeth are.

Jaylan

Lexi on the other hand, she was excited and started making plans for us.

I just met him but I feel like I want to know more. Lexi just said be careful with a huge smile of endless possibilities of double dates. As much as I like the idea. I don't think that could ever happen.

I'm not as nearly confident as her or Max. They scream femininity and me.... I scream a girl who likes ice cream for breakfast.

I shrug and take the paper and walk back to the study room to see Carly digging in my candy bang and still on her phone. Spencer writing furiously on his notebook and Jessica glaring at Carly for not contributing to studying.

I don't know if this is going to end well.

"Back so soon." Spencer grins.

"Focus." I point my blue highlighter and I take my seat

"Yes ma'am" Spencer salutes me like a solider and looks down at his notebook.

"What took you so long." Jessica brings back the conversation.

"Just not a lot of computers." I clear my throat.

"Or talking to Rashad Brooks." Carly snickers.

"Smooth." Spencer says flatly.

Jessica rolls her eyes at the both of them. "What did he say?" Jessica arch her brow as she twitch her lips.

My voice heightens "Nothing."

"Righttttt." Carly tease. "First Jaylan, now Rashad. Wow Lizzie big start for the semester."

"No it's not like that." My cheeks couldn't have been anymore redder and Jessica glares at Carly to cut it out.

"It's okay to get attention." Carly swipes her hair over her shoulder.

"Lizzie isn't like that and can we focus here please." Jessica grips her pencil and I dart my eyes down looking at my notebook at my hand writing.

I wonder if Jaylan likes my handwriting. I sigh dreamily drawing another heart when Jessica tosses her flashcards in the air.

"How much do they pay strippers in Mexico?" Jessica stresses, combing her hair.

"Interesting question." I tap my nose with my favorite purple highlighter.

Wait, how much do strippers at Matehualita make? Probably a lot? Maybe I should join a circus...

Yeah, that's it, a circus because this exam is going to be the death of me.

"I'm questioned out." Jessica groans.

"I think I'm officially dead," Spencer groans as he lays his forehead flat down in his spiral notebook.

"How is it that any answer could be correct? This is cruel!" Jessica complains while flipping through the textbook.

"My brain is on empty and our exam is Friday," I whine, poking out my lip.

I take a bit of my Airhead Extreme, chewing it hard in between my teeth. I flick another page in my notebook and highlight the same points two more times, for emphasis.

"Please be a snow day... Come on, snow day. Just one more," Spencer chants as he scrolls through his phone.

Carly snickers as she pops her gum to confirm the potential snow day with Spencer as she scrolls on her phone.

Again.

See, here's the thing... There is a difference between general education exams.... and nursing exams. Any answer can be correct, but you have to judge the best choice within the presented scenario. It's almost like what wire to cut first before blowing the whole place up.

Yeah, that's nursing school.

Jessica, Spencer, Carly, and I... Well, let me rephrase that Spencer, Jessica, and I have been studying all this afternoon reviewing for our exam Friday.

As a study group, everyone contributes their part. Jessica brings snacks, Spencer uses his artistic abilities to make new notes, and I'm the brains of this operation... Carly, well, she just is here for emotional support.

I guess?

"Guys, there really isn't much to worry about," Carly assures as she scrolls through her phone.

She laughs and leans forward to show Spencer a tik tok. Jessica rolls her eyes and looks down at the textbook to continue to study. I follow behind Jessica because I don't want to lose track of our momentum to study. No matter how much my brain currently feels like Tìo Victor's mushy guacamole that was left in the refrigerator for a week.

"So relatable... Lizzie, look." Spencer motions me over near them.

I nibble my lip and lean forward to look at Carly's phone screen to @NurseBlake.

He so gets us.

"Oh my gosh! Lizzie, this is so you! " Carly laughs.

She points to Nurse Blake, raising his hand as 'the one who asks too many questions' student.

I don't see the harm in asking questions.

"Right." I faintly laugh and sit back in my seat.

"Hate all you want, Carl, but Lizzie is one smart cookie." Spencer chuckles.

Not with Statistics but to be with Jaylan I will be.

I wiggle in my seat with my lips at bay upwards. Jessica snickers at me knowing exactly what I'm thinking.

Jaylan

Spencer sits back in his seat and flips a page of his notebook. Carly's eyes remain glued on her phone as she takes a sip of her Celsius energy drink.

Jessica sighs dismally. "Did anyone remember what Professor Khan said about nursing interventions fo-"

Carly starts cracking up laughing as she bites down on an Airhead Extreme.

"What would be the two major things you would say? I have a clear airway and bed at the lowest position," Spencer puzzles and knitted his eyebrows.

I flick back a couple of pages in my notebook. "I said-"

"Okay, Spence, look, look!" Carly interrupts with a laugh.

Spencer snaps his orange Paper mate marker down and walks over to Carly, bending down looking at yet another Tik Tok. He knits his eyebrows, shaking his head because I knew the sound was another Nurse Blake video.

Jessica shares a frustrated look with me, then flicks through her notebook, trying to find the answer as I am.

Okay... let's see.

Nursing Interventions for Seizures.

- at the bedside, have suction and oxygen ready*

- IV access (to given anti-seizure medication, if needed

- padded side rail

- pillow under head (to protect head)

- bed in the lowest position

- remove objects that can cause injury

I tap my highlighter on the starred answers, and peer up to see Jessica staring at me with disdain in her eyes.

I flash her an apologetic frown because I know she is not thrilled with Carly's contribution this afternoon, or I should say last two weeks. Spencer lifts his head up with a sheepish grin on his face.

"Carly, I think we should get back to studying but send that to me," Spencer mumbles while he rubs the back of his neck.

"I don't know why you guys are worried. We got this!" Carly encourages while she joyfully switches herself in the seat.

"Okay, smarty-pants, what did you write for the most important interventions?" Jessica challenges, arching her brow.

Carly's eyes grow and she silently huffs. She sits up from her chair and flips through her book, still mumbling with a heavy brow.

"Tik Tok," Jessica remarks sarcastically.

"Obtain padding.... place pads on the side of the rail and place for airway," Carly sneers.

"Wow, I'm surprised you know that. Did you copy off Lizzie?" Jessica clips in a dry, unimpressed voice.

I sheepishly shrink down, gnawing on another Airhead Extreme. The two were clearly in an old western showdown, getting ready to draw pistols at each other. They don't remove their slanted glances at each other, and I clear my throat from the sourness of the candy I swallow.

"Carly, how on earth are you passing?" Spencer nervously laughs.

Carly squints at her spiral notebook, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. Except for the notes I provided with her yesterday, she hasn't written anything down from her page-flipping. Spencer highlights in his book while Jessica reads and rereads, and she looks up and bites on her lower lip.

While finishing the last of my Airheads, I cast a glance down. After only two minutes of silence, Carly sighs bitterly, then springs up and walks out of the study room, muttering she has to use the bathroom. Jessica's eyes follow her, then when the coast was clear, she immediately returns them to Spencer and me.

"I can't take it anymore!" Jessica mutters aggressively.

I sheepishly shrugged my shoulders. "I know, but-"

"Lizzie, I love you, but she is using you. She is using all of us! I can't deal with her any longer." Jessica admits and shuts her textbook. "She's not helping herself and she's definitely not helping us."

I didn't want to believe Carly was like the past friends, but Jessica was right. The one thing that I should know but challenges me every day is that not everyone is out for my best interest. I learned my lesson with Sofia.

Before Carly, just Jessica, Spencer, and I always studied together. We all have the same goals and ambitions, which drew us together. Shortly after our first exam, Carly and I hit it off because she had the same mindset, so she joined our group. Jessica and Carly never really saw eye to eye, but they tolerated each other.

Junior year, I noticed Carly started to consume my time being clinical partners, partners in class, and study buddies. We would get Dunkin before clinicals. I didn't think it was overwhelming. She was genuine and that's what I needed.

How much we have in common is crazy. For instance, we get homesick a lot. Our Solution was to go to her parent's house for the week in Virginia to feel at home.... Well, at least for her.

I guess things started to change after junior year Christmas break. Carly's grades increased, and she got more confident in her position. We spent less time together this past month, and it's hurtful because their times where I told Lexi and Max I couldn't spent time with them, but I ended up feeling stupid when Carly would bail.

I don't want to go through another Sofia situation, but I have to settle this.

I tap my highlighter to my lips, unsure how to respond to Jessica.

"I understand. I'll talk to Carly." I assure them.

"Look, I don't mean to step on your toes, but I'm looking out for you," Jessica affirms and closes her laptop with a snap.

"Thanks," I profess, glancing down.

Jessica sighs longingly then puts her belongings into her book bag. "I'm gonna go. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Spencer and I wave to her, but she leaves out quickly with the door closing loudly behind her.

"I'm probably going to get home too, Lizzie. We've been here since two this afternoon. Let's call it quits" Spencer checks his watch.

"Okay......I'll just wait back for Carly, so her stuff is not here by itself." I sigh, consenting.

"You want a ride home? We could go get Chick-fil-A." He sings at the end.

"Thanks Spencer but Lexi made her famous chicken pot pie." I beam.

It's so yummy that's actually an exception to eat the veggies. Lexi just makes it perfect with love.

"Oh well maybe I'll catch you tomorrow?" Spencer lowers his voice.

"Yeah don't forget open lab!" I take a bit of my last airhead extreme pouting, and Spencer sends a smile and stuffs books in his book bag.

With his, The curly brown hair and ocean blue eyes that you can drown. He reminds me of a Hollister model and he definitely smiles like one too. He's an attractive enough guy, just not my type.

Which is apparently inked up hot commodity players who bail on their commitments.

"You are a saint because I would have just left her stuff be stolen," he brags while putting his markers into his pencil case.

I look down back at my book. Spencer reached over pats my shoulder. "See ya, Lizzo," he cheeses at me.

I tuck my hair behind my ear and smile at him. "Bye, Spencer."

He salutes me and walks out of the room. I giggle at his animated personality, making me miss Mateo. I need to call him tonight.

I slowly started to pack up until my eye catches sight of an email notification that pops up in the corner of my phone screen, and I clicked the email.

My heart slowly goes into bradycardia reading who's just emailed me.

Relax Lizzie.

From: [email protected]

To:[email protected]

Hey Giggles,

Thanks again for the workbook. I just wanted to say I got a seventy on this chapter 3 test! Can't wait  2 study with you next Wed.

Peace,

Jay

My eyes stare down at my phone as I read his simple messages over and over, until the words blur over.

He got a seventy on his test?

Jay?

Can't wait to study with you next Wednesday?........ Can't wait to study with you next Wednesday?........

What does that mean?

Lizzie... Don't dig yourself a hole here.

You are reaching.

Shut up. I'm not reaching.

A faintly quizzical look draws my eyebrows together while I reread the email a few more times, processing the translation. I yank open another Extreme Airhead and purse my lips.

Can't wait to study with you next Wednesday?........

I shake my head in denial and shut my laptop. Maybe he is doing this because
Max made Jaylan share his location indefinitely on his iPhone. She says wherever he is, she will be too so there won't be any chances of him getting in my pants.

I'm not sure why she was worried. He isn't interested in me anyway.

But he is excited to see you, Lizzie!

I huff at my thoughts while glancing at Carly's stuff scattered across the table into a neat pile. I leave the room, and the library is now a ghost town. I look at my phone, and it's five fifteen.

Time travels when you are in nursing school. Mateo would have been forty-five with a wife and six kids if I stay any longer.

"No way!" Carly screeches.

Her howls of laughter draws my attention  to my right to see Carly talking to an athletic blonde, but it was sandy-colored.

She literally looks like Carly's identical twin but Barbie.

A perfect Barbie.

As I got closer, the more their whispers became apparent.

"Yeah... Nursing school is not as hard as everyone thinks... Not really... I kind of just stuck to myself. Mostly everyone is all clique-y there..." Carly cockily boasts, which drops my mouth open.

The blonde girl flicks her hair to the side and nods in agreement. She is Barbie! The blue eyes, pouty filler lips, and expensive designer labeled, hot pink tight clothing from lululemon.

"Carly, you are a BRADY. Toughen up." The blonde girl laughs playfully, hitting Carly in her shoulder.

The male librarian almost runs into the column when the blonde pouts and folds her arms, boosting her top.

Carly leans in and whispers making the blonde stiff up and rolls her eyes.
"Yeah, he is definitely a working project, but we are getting there." She looks at her nails and back at Carly.

"Well, that's good, Ava. You deserve to be happy. After all it is been three years." Carly beams.

"Tell me about it, he literally keeps crawling back. Sent a dick pick the other day." The eyebrows pull down and shows her phone to Carly.

The gesture alone makes my stomach turn like a washer machine. How can people be so careless and send private body parts let alone show others. It's so disrespectful.

Carly eyes stretch big, "Woah, how do you handle that."

"Professionals." Ava's lips twitch.

They giggle leaning into each other whispering about something. "So professional." Carly snickers.

"Thanks, cousin, you always know how to boost my ego. You should try it sometime. Maybe with Peter." The blonde, Ava apparently, giggles.

She notices me coming up behind Carly and Ava's whole expression shifts. Ava's blue eyes claw at me as she purses her lips. I step back, glancing down at my crocs.

"Well, I'll let you go. You'll be a great nurse Carly." The blonde eyes meet me again when they do I could have froze from the icy glare.

What did I do?

My voice comes out strained and weak, "Carly?"

Carly turns around and stares at me, cold and emotionless... like Sofia did.

"Oh hey, Elizabeth," Carly acknowledges me but her voice is not friendly like normal.

"I'm going to go. Your stuff is still in the room." I point my thumb backward.

"Thanks," she hisses but turns her back on me to look at the blonde.

"Oh, is the friend?" The blonde girl plasters a smile that looks faker than her acrylic nails .

My shoulders lower, making my bookbag straps fall down while they both look at me.

"Yup this is, Elizabeth," Carly looks at me, then back at the blonde girl.

"Oh well, nice to meet you." She responds with the identically same, fake smile.

"Yep," Carly dismisses me.

"Are you, like, in nursing school too?" The blonde tilts her head slightly.

"I am." I grip my bookbag tightly in both hands but shift my eyes away.

"That's so cool. Carly is brilliant, huh?" The blonde girl brags as she nudges Carly's arm with her shoulder.

Unsure of what secret they know that I don't, I slide my hand up my bookbag and nod. "Yeah," I softly tremble, clearing my throat.

"I'm Ava." She extends her hand to me.

I look at her perfectly manicured hands, dazzled with silver jewelry, then look back up at her. She smirks mockingly, then pulls it back.

Rudeness is the weak person's imitation of strength and I won't acknowledge it.

"Right." I tilt my head to the side in confidence, inspecting her as she inspects me. Carly stands to the side with a half-smile.

"So, are you like an international student?" Ava inquires, arching her brow.

Before I could open my mouth, Carly says flatly "She is, from Mexico."

I plaster a smile on my face and Ava squints her eyes continue to survey me as if she burning every last inch of me.

"Interesting," Ava remarks, intrigued with tight lips.

"She always asks for me to translate," Carly clips "Super funny, right, Lizzie?"

My throat dries up and I step to the side to walk away, but Ava blocks me.

"Aww, that's cute," Ava's taunts as she puts a fist underneath her chin as if she's thinking.

Ava shifts her body and purses her lips at me. I move, but she moves where I'm going and shoves her hand out front to stop me.

"You take care of my Carly, hmm?" she hums, arching her brow.

"Yeah... umm. Bye, Carly." My voice cracks and I feel beyond uncomfortable.

"See tomorrow, Elizabeth," Carly replies with another plastered smile.

They wave and I walk forward, but I hear muttering behind me from afar despite how quickly my tiny feet were moving.

"I find it so annoying that those people get extra treatment and free rides when my poor friend Nicole worked hard to get into nursing school and got rejected." Ava preached loudly.

"Seriously," Carly hinted.

My throat tightens as I grip my bag tightly, tucking my elbows into my sides and hanging my head down low as I exit out of the library. I wipe the my right side of my face from the hot splash my tears.

I thought Carly was different.

Mean people like Ava don't bother me a bit. They project their meanness to the world for people to deal with how they want. It is the mean people who disguise themselves as your friend then stab you in the back that bothers me a whole lot.

Edited by: still_just_me