I was holed up in the library all day, studying for my midterms. Formulas and dates, facts and theories, names and numbers, I had them all scrawled on a post-it somewhere. I looked crazed as I continuously peeled off and reattached post-its in an attempt to keep my hands busy.

Every time a blink lasted too long, I trudged downstairs to the cafe on the first floor. This time would be no different, regardless of whether or not this was my fifth cup.

I made my way downstairs and mentally prepared myself for the interaction I'd have to go through. I got flustered at the thought of the barista giving me an incredulous look the last two times I got coffee.

I opened the door and immediately made eye contact with her. She rolled her eyes and began preparing my order identical to the last four times I asked. "No way." A voice behind me exclaimed.

I nearly jumped out of my skin and turned my head slightly. The blood left my face as I came face to face with the cashier from the other day. "You're not seriously about to get another one. This is like your fourth one!" I was filled with such shame and anger. Why does he embarrass me every time we speak?

"W-well, it's more like my fifth." His eyebrows raised in surprise. "I just need to stay awake right now, I have midterms next week." I quickly added before turning to get my drink. Must he let the whole store know I'm a caffeine junkie?

His hand reached out and grabbed mine. He held it up to his vision as if to inspect it. Suddenly, the blood returned to my face and I whipped my head around. He lightly pulled me towards him, causing me to face him completely.

"You're trembling. I think you should slow down on coffee."

I glared at him, "I'm fine. Please just let me go." I was pretty sure caffeine wasn't the only reason I was trembling.

"Elaine," he called for the barista's attention to my dismay, "throw the coffee out and get this girl some water, please?" Still holding on to my hand he walked over to the counter, slightly leaning over to her side.

She huffed loudly and threw out my drink. She begrudgingly walked over to the fridge and pulled out a water bottle, slamming it on the counter. "Love you." He innocently beamed at her.

Is that his girlfriend?

I stood awkwardly with my hand still attached to this stranger wondering what I did to deserve this. I considered pulling myself free from his soft hand but his firm grip kept me captive.

My skin tingled wherever he touched and I felt an unfamiliar fluttering in my stomach. He was mostly holding on to my wrist, but that did not stop the heat that filled my cheeks.

Who knew a guy's hand could be so soft?

He turned back to me after paying for his stuff and my water. He raised my hand to eye level and pushed the water bottle into it. When I didn't grab it immediately he frowned, "Don't tell me you don't drink water." He began individually forcing my fingers around the bottle.

With each finger he touched, my skin continued to tingle. When all fingers were securely fastened around the bottle, he pressed both of his hands against mine and moved my arm back down. We locked eyes for a few seconds before I broke it and I stepped away from him.

"I-I do but I need coffee right now!" I pleaded, still not looking at him.

"I think you need to take a break."

"But I have—"

"—midterms next week, I know." He rolled his eyes. "I think 6 hours is enough time for today. You should go back to the dorms and take a nap or something." His eyes expressed genuine concern, and I realized the kind gesture.

"Thanks for your concern, but I'll be fine. I have to keep studying." I crossed my arms across my chest and turned to go back upstairs. "Oh, and thanks for the water, I guess," I muttered before leaving the cafe.

I reluctantly walked up the stairs and went back to my booth. As I slumped in my seat I thought about his soft hands on mine.

How'd he know how long I was here for anyway?

His eyes left such an impression on me that I could almost feel them burning into me, even now. "Are you mad about the coffee?" His familiar voice feigned sadness from behind me.

I could have gotten whiplash with how fast I turned around. I nearly jumped out of my skin and my heart was beating outside of my chest. "D-did you follow me up here?" I barely stuttered out.

"I wasn't done bothering you." He gave me a lopsided smile and sat down across from me in the booth. I found myself absentmindedly unscrewing the cap of the water bottle. Before I knew it I was chugging the entire bottle, yet my mouth still felt dry.

Why won't he leave me alone?

"Quite the setup you've got here." He gestured to my organized mess of post-its. "Is this what you've been up to all day?"

I could only bring myself to nod. I was afraid I'd croak if I spoke. "Isn't this a bit overkill?" I chewed on my bottom lip and shook my head no, cringing at my lack of words. My stomach was churning and my mind went blank.

"Okay, how about a little bet?" He proposed with a cunning smile. I raised my eyes to meet his gaze and he took that as a sign that he had piqued my interest. "I will ask you twenty questions."

"Wait what—?" He put up a hand to stop me.

"Let me finish, please. I will ask you twenty questions but you only have to get fifteen of them correct." He paused to ensure that I was still with him. "If you get at least fifteen correct, you have to go back to your room and relax."

"Then what—" I scoffed but he held up another hand.

"Will you continue to interrupt me?" He smirked and narrowed his eyes. "I'm going to have to do something about that mouth of yours if you're so adamant on interrupting me." He said sternly. I pressed my thighs together and shook my head no as I gnawed on my lip again.

"As I was saying, if you get fifteen correct you go back to your room and relax. If you get less than fifteen correct, I'll buy you a coffee and help you study, if you want."

After a few moments of silence, I determined it was safe to speak. "What's stopping me from purposely getting the questions wrong?"

"Ah, that's right. If you get the questions correct, I'll give you a discount every time you show up to 7-11. Deal?" There was no reason to turn him down, it was a fair wager.

"Deal." We shook hands.