you cared about school. no — you cared so much about school. every test, every deadline, every little grade on every little worksheet. it all mattered to you. you were only fifteen, but your brain was always somewhere years ahead — worrying about college, your future, your entire life.

and then you met walker.

he helped. a lot. made you laugh when you forgot how to, forced you to take breaks when your eyes burned from reading, even quizzed you on flashcards while lying upside down on his bed. he balanced you out — or at least, he tried to, and you loved him so much. and he really loved you too.

but today was different.

you were sitting cross-legged on the floor of his room, papers spread out around you, scribbling furiously about the american revolution. meanwhile, walker was lounging on his bed, headset around his neck, tapping away at his controller.

“love, that assignment isn’t due until next week, you can calm down baby” he glanced away from his game and frowned, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

you didn’t respond. your pen just moved faster.

he sighed, paused his game, and climbed off his bed. he crouched beside you and slid his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into a loose hug.

“come onnnnn” he whined, cupping her face with his hands looking at her. “you should take a break.”

“walker, get off,” you snapped, sharper than you meant to. “i need to finish this and you’re not helping at all.”

his arms dropped and he blinked once, before standing up slowly and climbed back onto his bed. the silence was awkward and uncomfortable.

“jeez,” he muttered under his breath, slipping his headphones back on. “touchy touchy.”