5 Chapter 5

Covey's POV

"I'm not gay."

Yeah, right.

I took a chug of the energy drink and focused on writing my notes. I had tests the whole of the following week as Thanksgiving break was just around the corner and had spent nearly all my time in the library, engrossed in my books. School was important to me, learning was crucial. This was the only way to achieve my dreams of becoming a Doctor. I wanted to help people. It's crazy, people often saw me with my short hair and piercings and a 'Doctor' is amongst the last things that came to mind. But that's what I wanted to be, it was a dream of mine ever since I was young.

Also, studying meant that I was too preoccupied to think of Lara-Jean or her rejection. Well, that was what I had thought. It wasn't working out as I had imagined.

"Covey."

Glancing up I saw Michael walking towards me in the library. I had thought I was the only one here, seeing as it was past midnight.

"Um, what are you doing?" Michael asked, looking at me quizzically.

I took a chug of my drink, "studying."

Michael scoffed, "I can see that Covey, I mean what is going on? You haven't been replying to any texts or calls, you're rarely around and you're cooped up in this library till late hours of the night. What the hell is up?"

"Nothing Michael," I lied, "I'm just busy with tests coming up, that's all."

Michael sat back and crossed his arms and didn't say anything. I picked up a highlighter and got back to highlighting my notes. I could feel him staring at me but frankly I didn't care.

"It's that Lara-Jean chick isn't it?"

I groaned.

"I knew it!" Michael yelled suddenly.

"Shh," I whispered, grabbing Michael from across the table, "we're in the library."

"Yeah, we're the only ones here at that!" Michael practically yelled. I grabbed him from across the table and he raised his hands in surrender. I loosened my grip on him.

"You haven't liked someone in so long." Michael said, "I know you like Lara-Jean, you get all defensive, and you're constantly staring at her and shit."

Michael sat back and crossed his arms. He had a smug look on his face and I just had to laugh. I had known Michael for a really long time. Since high school when he constantly tried hitting on me, until I told him I was gay and that ended that Chapter.

"Come on, you know you hardly catch feelings, this is kind of a big deal."

This was true. I never fell for people. But when I did fall, I fell hard. And here I was falling for a girl that had rejected me.

We both avoided each other like the plague. She'd leave the room before I woke up and I'd come back late, once I was sure she was fast asleep. It was ridiculous, to say the least.

"I wish it was that easy Michael." I murmured, flipping a page of my textbook.

We sat in silence for the next few minutes, me flipping through pages and highlighting stuff and Michael sighing and being over dramatic.

"You're a fighter, Covey, fight." Was Michael's last words before he got up leaving me in the library.

He popped his head back in a moment later and made a comment about how creepy it was being alone in a college library late at night. Then he called me a weirdo. Then he actually did leave.

Lara-Jean

I had successfully managed to avoid Covey and it was the last day before Thanksgiving break. She would be gone by tomorrow and I'd have the whole room to myself all weekend.

I felt my heart clutch slightly. But I ignored it. It was a good thing that I'd be alone, I wouldn't have to try to avoid Covey all the time for a few days.

Yesterday I told Cameron we were better off as friends and I didn't want to pursue anything more with him. He is a sweet guy and all but I knew I didn't feel the same way he felt about me, and I just felt guilty most of the time.

Maybe it's because you have feelings for Covey. I ignored the voice in my head.

To say the least, I felt pretty shitty as I dragged myself back to my college dorm.

I opened the door and paused immediately. Covey was there, so was Michael who was spread out across her bed. What was that I felt? Jealousy? He looked up at me as I walked in then his eyes instantly went to Covey who hadn't even acknowledged my presence. I was wondering whether we were going to at least tell each other 'hi' or pretend we didn't exist altogether.

"So erm, what are you gonna be doing for Thanksgiving weekend Lara-Jean?" Michael asked after a few moments of silence. I could tell he was desperately trying to quench the tension in the air.

"I'd just stay here. Home's too far away." I replied quietly as I made my way over to my side of the room, keeping my eyes level with the ground.

"What?"

It was Covey that had spoken. I turned and she was staring at me, her eyes stern. I didn't know how to respond.

"You're not staying in school Lara-Jean. You're not about to spend Thanksgiving alone."

"I'd be fine." I mumbled. "I'm used to being alone."

I don't know why I had said that. But I had said it.

Covey had not lost the stern look in her eyes. "You're not going to be alone for Thanksgiving, Lara-Jean."

And just why did she feel she could tell me what to do? I crossed my hands over my chest, her green eyes were blazing and I felt like squirming under her gaze.

"I'm taking you home with me."

Hold up. What?

I looked at her shocked then began laughing, there was no way in hell she was serious. She wasn't laughing, her brows creased as she watched me. I stopped laughing abruptly, it was awkward to laugh by yourself.

"Erm, I'd see you girls later," Michael quickly said, rushing towards the door.

I didn't blame him. I wanted to run out as well. But I couldn't do that, not with Covey's glare shooting rockets into my head.

Maybe if I make a run for it...

"Lara-Jean." Covey stated, her voice was hard, "pack your things, I'm not letting you spend your Thanksgiving weekend here."

"I'd be fine Covey." I replied stubbornly.

Sure I knew I'd be alone, but loneliness wasn't anything new to me. I had said so already.

"I said pack your things. Don't argue with me on this. My decision is final."

I blinked. What? She didn't control me. Who did she think she was? She couldn't do that.

"Wow, you see my naked body once and all of a sudden you think you own it and can take it wherever the hell you want." I snapped, then my eyes opened wide in realization of what I had just said.

Where the hell had that come from?

Covey blinked at me, her green eyes startled, we were facing each other from across the room.

There was a moment of silence which seemed to stretch out, elapsing into several moments.

"Sorry about that." Covey said, breaking the silence. Her voice was a lot quieter than mine had been, "with you, I can't...control myself sometimes."

I gulped but my throat was dry and I didn't know what to say. I just stood there blinking at her, like a deer caught in headlights.

"Lara-Jean," Covey began, quickly running her fingers through her short hair, "I would love for you to spend Thanksgiving with my dad and I."

"Please." She added after a moment, her voice laced with desperation.

I found myself nodding my head.

Covey smiled at me, her eyes twinkling. I couldn't help but smile back.