Exam Time

The most crucially important part of every year had come, Exam week.

Important in terms of the students actual education at college. It was certainly not always seen as significant to many who were there for the social aspects of college alone.

For Mark, who was relieved that it was here, solely so he could get it over and done with. Walking out of the final exam, Mark was satisfied that he didn’t just pass but was close to ace-ing each exam.

He walked out of the exam rooms along side Ali who was beaming brightly.

The blonde was virtually rubbing her body up against his own arm as they left the exam rooms, “Last one, how did you do?!”

“Well can’t know for sure but… think I aced it,” he laughed, “Sorry, not to brag!”

“Oh brag as much as you want mister smarty pants!” she exclaimed, still up against his side, “You do know what this means don’t you?”

“What’s that?” he asked her.

“We’re basically juniors now!”

It hadn’t quite sunk it yet but he had certainly thought about that after his little run in with potentially the future head cheerleader, Chrissy. A junior was one step closer to a senior, one step closer to graduating from college.

“Guess your right! That deserves a drink,” he said, putting his hand out to high five his female friend.

She slapped his hand back, still showing off that very beautiful smile.

They continued to walk back in the direction of East Hall, in the back of Mark’s mind, he started to think about the prom on Saturday Night. Whether or not Daniel had made his mind up in taking Maple or Ali, he had to wonder if he should be considering just to go with Ali himself.

She was bright, kind, caring, extremely hot and someone he had a true connection with.

“Excited for the prom this Saturday?” she suddenly asked him, as if she could read his mind.

He didn’t know which way to lean on that question, “Uhh I don’t know, still don’t know who I’m going with.”

“It’s alright, neither do I,” she quickly replied, “Don’t stress, it’s not a requirement to attend with someone.”

“Daniel hasn’t asked you?” he asked her quietly.

She shook her head, the smile diminishing a tiny bit but not disappearing.

“Guess I can’t wait a day before the prom to get an answer from him, clearly I’m not worth his time,” she said honestly.

Mark felt like he had great middle ground between the two, his best friend and a very close female friend that he was also very much attracted to. He understood Daniel’s position but also knew why Ali would be upset with him leaving it this late to ask her or someone else to prom.

“Have to be honest, I don’t know who I’m taking if I am taking anyone,” Mark straight up said.

“I thought you were going with Winter?” she asked.

“No, who said that?”

She shrugged, “Thought I heard that from Tiff, that’s not the case?”

Hmm, that made him wonder why Tiffany would automatically assume he was doing that.

“No really, like I said, I have no idea who I’m going to ask,” he told her, “It sounds ridiculously up myself to say this but I know there’s more than one girl that wants to go with me tomorrow night and I just can’t bare to pick one and hurt others.”

“I’m curious, am I included in those girls?” she asked him.

Mark had to think about that for a moment. Although he knew that Ali had strong feelings for him, he didn’t expect that she had any inclination that Mark might take her this weekend due to her current situation with Daniel.

He hesitated before replying, “Umm I don’t know, I assume you’re more worried about what Daniel was going to do, is that right?”

Ali sighed, “I don’t even know Mark, I’m kind of over all the boy stuff, just want to let my hair down and celebrate summer holidays!”

Mark smiled.

As nice as it was to talk things out with Ali, it hadn’t gotten him any closer to deciding what to do for Prom, who to take and how to choose.

Time was ticking, he had to make a decision soon…