In Preparation

"What do you mean, 'You have to study'?"

I looked at Martin who looked back as if I had told him the most incredulous thing ever uttered.

"Study. It's what you do before tests," I said.

He waved off my perfectly practical explanation.

"Party. It's what normal people do. Besides, Pam's going to be there. Don't tell me you don't want to go."

I did. It was Pam after all. I was so close to getting the nerve to ask her out. It was on the tip of my tongue last time I saw her. But no. I had the physics test. If I failed, it would torpedo my grade in that class.

"I can't."

"It's Pam."

"I can't," I insisted.

He groaned. "So, I'm supposed to go to this thing by myself?"

"Seems like it."

He picked up the physics textbook, looked at it. "What did you say you were studying for again?"

"Physics."

"Um."

"What?"

"The physics test is next week. The calc test is tomorrow."

The moment he said it, I knew it was true. I threw my pencil against the wall and skittered around the room looking for my math notes.

"So, you coming?"

I gave him a stare that could melt ice.