Page 69 of Lessons in Love

Gemma catches my attention as she waves from across the library, arms full of books after her class. I wave back.

“Look, I’m happy for you Jakey. I really am. Let’s catch up later, okay? It’s been a busy week.”

“Alright.” He admits defeat but certainly does not sound happy about it. “Mum wants a call too sometime. And one from Oliver too. Apparently, she misses him.” I cringe at his words. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

Gemma sashays over as I hang up the call. I am happy for Jake. I am, okay? But every time I think about bringing Oliver home again…let’s just say I can’t put my finger on what the feeling in my stomach is. He’s become an inescapable part of my life, and I’m still trying to figure out what that means. If it’s something I can manage.

“Oi, Eden! Did you hear what I said?” Gemma has made herself comfortable opposite me, and from the way she’s staring I obviously missed something important.

“Hmm?”

“I said, have you spoken to Oliver since this weekend? I know you guys discussed some serious stuff.”

“Yes.”

No.

“Really?” She quirks an eyebrow as my face heats up.

“Yes, okay? We’ve spoken about school work, but he’s been busy with Michelle.”

“You’re a terrible liar.”

I slide down into the chair until I can place my forehead on the cold, unforgiving desk. Gemma rubs my shoulders as she laughs. “Oh, come on. It’s not that bad. We’ve been dealing with this all semester.”

“I just need to focus on school,” I mumble into the desk. She pats my back twice before sitting back up.

“You’re starting to sound like a broken record. Remember, Oliver’s only helping you because you pay him.” Pouting, I sit back up. I haven’t transferred him for the last couple of sessions, and the thought makes my stomach turn.

Pay him and admit this relationship is transactional? Or don’t, and take advantage of his knowledge?

“That does not make me feel any better. I just have to do this presentation. 1pm. Today. And then the exam and that’s it.”

Gemma pulls an apple from her bag and starts munching away. “Will Oliver be there?” She asks, mouth full.

“No? Why would he?”

Gemma shrugs. “After supporting you all semester, won’t he want to see you succeed?”

I shut my eyes and try to picture it. Standing in front of the whole class, all waiting for me to open my mouth and speak. Oliver walks through the door. We meet eyes and…

“No. I don’t want him there. Besides, he has his own work to do. And so do you! Don’t pretend like this semester isn’t crushing you too!” That makes Gemma pause in her apple-eating, and she lifts a hand up in surrender.

“You’ve got me there, but I only have one exam. The rest is just me fucking around and finding out. Want to help me study before you leave?”

* * *

“Eden!”

A voice draws me out of my thoughts as I trudge towards my classroom, ready to face the executioner that is my Literature teacher. When I turn around, I smile at the familiar face.

“Maddison! How have you been?”

Maddison Harvey is the best new thing in proteomics in this country. Barely thirty, she’s already managing her own labs and projects. I’ve been pouring over her papers, meeting up for coffee to begin planning my thesis for next year. While she hasn’t been directly involved with my research project this year, she’s been managing the lab that I’m in. She gives me a strange look from behind her blonde bangs. “I’ve been meaning to ask you the same thing.”

“What do you mean?”