I smiled when I saw Nick’s name appear on my buddy list. He had perfect timing: I was just dying to talk to him. I hoped Nick had done well on his exams because I’d sure helped him a lot more than myself when it came to studying. After all the review sheets I prepared for him based on my notes, and the hours spent reviewing with him over the phone and at his house, I was ready for a night of relaxation. Now Exams were apart of the past and exterminated, we were free to guiltlessly forget all the info we had unnaturally crammed into our brains.

!!Alli!!: hey. i was just thinkin bout u <3

<Nick>: i was thinkin of u 2

Nick and I had started going out a month ago, but little things like knowing that thoughts of me were wandering around in his head made me smile and get jittery inside like a little five-year-old on Christmas morning.

!!Alli!!: how was practice?

<Nick>: fine

!!Alli!!: wats up?

<Nick>: nothin

!!Alli!!: how was ur last exam?

<Nick>: fine

!!Alli!!: calculus rite?

<Nick>: yes

Sitting behind my computer screen, I frowned slightly. Something was up. Even just by IM, I could tell that he was edgy. I wondered what his problem was.

!!Alli!!: my parents won’t be home till eleven. do u wanna come over?

<Nick>: not rlly

Now I was starting to get worried. Subconsciously, I nibble on my nails. Nick always took a chance to come over – especially when my parents were out.

!!Alli!!: is everything okay?

<Nick>: we need 2 tok

!!Alli!!: about wat?

<Nick>: Alli, it’s not you, it’s me…