chapter 26 - exam blues

Time was slipping away too fast. The days had been peaceful, almost too peaceful, but that peace came with an underlying dread-final semester exams were right around the corner.

It was their last year of college, and Amy couldn't help but feel a growing sadness at the thought of no longer being a carefree student. She had felt something similar when she graduated from school, but this time, it was different. This time, she had to think about her future-her career, her responsibilities.

Naturally, instead of tackling those thoughts head-on, she retreated into her usual habit-procrastination.

Sprawled out on the bed, wrapped in a blanket like a lazy burrito, she had her laptop propped up on her stomach, watching one drama episode after another. A mindless cycle of clicking "next episode" played out as she remained glued to the screen, drowning out any thoughts of upcoming exams or the future waiting for her.

Then zahn happened to step in the room and begin his scolding. "Gonna ruin your eyes staring at that screen?" he chided, raising an eyebrow. "Or did you forget that exams are coming up?"

Amy scoffed, rubbing her head. "Ugh, Mom, don't start nagging." She barely spared him a glance before focusing back on her screen. "And you said you wouldn't muddle with my decisions, remember?"

Zahn pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly exasperated. "You're back at it again?" He let out a sharp sigh. "And I will muddle if it means stopping you from ruining yourself."

"Shhh!" Amy waved him off without looking, her eyes still glued to the laptop. "I can't hear the characters, lower your voice!"

Zahn folded his arms, staring at her in disbelief. She was seriously ignoring him for a drama?

He sighed again, watching her lying there without a care in the world, blanket pulled up to her chin, completely unbothered by the stress that was consuming every other students.

Too stubborn, he thought, rubbing his temple. What do I do with her?

He needed a different approach.

After a moment of thought, he suggested with a smirk. "I was thinking of going to the supermarket. You can come with me." He paused, letting his words sink in before adding the bait. "I'll get you snacks and ice cream."

As expected, Amy shot up from the bed in an instant.

"Ice cream?" Her eyes practically sparkled as she hopped off the mattress and hurried toward the closet.

Zahn shook his head, amused. "So that's what gets you up? Not exams, not responsibility, but snacks?"

"Obviously," she grinned, rummaging through her clothes.

"By the way," he added casually, "no crowded markets like last time."

Amy waved him off, too busy picking out the perfect outfit to care.

___________________________

At the supermarket, Amy was in her element. She piled snacks, drinks, instant noodles, and even a few cans of beer into the shopping cart as if she were stocking up for an apocalypse.

Zahn eyed the overflowing cart, unimpressed.

"One day, I will pay you back for all the money I've used from you, for real," Amy commented, grabbing another pack of chips.

Zahn gave her a side-eye, completely unconvinced. Without a word, he reached out and stopped her from tossing another snack in.

"Enough," he said firmly. "It's too much. You're not allowed to eat this much junk."

Amy pouted dramatically, clutching a chocolate bar to her chest. "But-"

"No." Zahn pushed the cart forward, completely ignoring the sparkly pleading eyes she threw his way.

"Ugh!" Amy huffed, crossing her arms.

This time, victory was his.

As promised, they stopped for ice cream. It was a small thing-insignificant in the grand scheme of life-but to Amy, these moments were precious. Whatever time she shared with Zahn, no matter how mundane, was something she tucked away deep in her heart.

After finishing their ice cream, they decided to take a longer walk than usual, the cool evening air making it more enjoyable. Eventually, they wandered near a small park with an old swing set.

"When I was a kid, I used to come here and swing all the time," Amy mused, a nostalgic smile gracing her lips.

Zahn glanced at the swings, then at her. "Oh yeah? Come sit, I'll swing you."

Amy grinned and eagerly took a seat. Zahn stood behind her, giving her a gentle push. The swing moved forward, and she stretched out her arms, feeling the breeze brush against her skin.

As she swung back and forth, she suddenly asked, "Zahn, you've lived in this area since you were ten, right? How come I never saw you before?"

He chuckled. "Maybe we did cross paths... we just don't remember."

Amy hummed in thought before letting out a small laugh. "I'd like to believe that's true."

After a few more swings, she slowed down and hopped off. As her eyes wandered, something caught her attention. She squatted down, her fingers gently grazing the stems of small wildflowers growing near the base of a tree.

Zahn watched, amused by how easily she got distracted. "What are you doing?"

"Come here, Zahn," she called, motioning him over.

He raised an eyebrow but walked toward her. "Mhm?"

Amy plucked a tiny flower and twirled it between her fingers before glancing up at him with a mischievous smile.

Before Zahn could react, Amy slipped a delicate ring made from a flower stem onto his index finger. The sudden gesture caught him off guard, a strange warmth spreading through his chest.

"What's this-?" he started, but Amy was already speaking.

"For better or worse, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish... Would you like to hold my hand?"

His breath hitched and his eyes widened in surprise. "...Amy..."

She giggled, eyes gleaming with playful mischief. It was childish, immature-but somehow, it felt more real than anything. His fingers trembled slightly as he twisted another flower stem into a ring and slipped it onto her finger.

For a brief moment, she simply stared at it, her smile softening into something gentler, something that made his heart ache in ways he didn't understand.

"Zahn, why are you blushing?" she teased, tilting her head. "Too cute."

Before he could escape, she leaned in closer, her eyes searching his, clearly enjoying his rare moment of flustered silence.

His grip on her wrist tightened. In one swift motion, he pulled her forward, wrapping his arms around her in a firm, almost desperate embrace.

"Why are you so endearing?" he muttered against her hair, voice laced with something deeper-something raw and unguarded.

Amy smiled, letting herself sink into his warmth. "I always have been, haven't I?"

"Mhm..." His hold on her tightened, his nose brushing against the curve of her neck, as if trying to commit everything about her-her scent, her warmth, her presence-to memory.

He didn't want to let go.

And for now, neither did she.

"What are you two doing... in the park?"

A voice suddenly interrupted, jolting them both out of their moment. They immediately put some distance between them, looking like guilty kids caught sneaking snacks before dinner.

Amy turned toward the voice, already bracing herself. Not again... why does Mom always show up at the worst possible moments?!

Standing there, arms crossed and an amused smirk on her lips, was none other than Alma-Amy's mother. Her sharp eyes flickered between their flustered faces before settling on their intertwined fingers, taking particular notice of the makeshift flower rings.

Amy's doing, she mused, her lips curving slightly. It was silly but undeniably cute. It reassured her, in a way-her daughter and her boyfriend seemed to have a strong bond, something she had little reason to worry about.

Amy, still recovering from the interruption, sighed and folded her arms. "So, Mom, what are you doing here?"

"I was with Miss Jane and happened to see you two." Alma waved a hand dismissively, then got straight to the point. "Anyway, when are your exams?"

Amy groaned, rolling her eyes. Of course. The one thing she never forgets to ask.

"Mom... I still have three months left. That's plenty of time."

" Plenty of time, my foot!" Alma scoffed. " Three months are for preparation, and knowing you, you probably don't even know your syllabus yet! If you fail, I'll be embarrassed in front of everyone while you will be stuck repeating exams!"

Alma huffed, then turned to Zahn. "She never pays attention to her studies. Maybe you can motivate her? She actually listens to you."

Zahn stood there, offering a polite smile but thinking, No, she doesn't.

Meanwhile, Amy bristled. "Urgh, Mom!"

Alma sighed. "Honestly, if she fails this year, you should toss her."

"MOM!" Amy practically shrieked, her face burning.

Zahn stayed awkwardly silent, watching their mother-daughter banter unfold, unsure if he should say anything at all.

Ignoring her daughter's outrage, Alma simply patted her shoulder with mock sympathy. "I hope you do better this time." With that, she finally left, leaving Amy standing there fuming.

As soon as they got home, Amy wasted no time venting to Zahn.

"I swear, it's like she only cares about my studies!" She crossed her arms, still burning from the conversation.

Zahn looked at her for a moment, then let out a small laugh, recalling her mother's words. "Well, I might have to leave you if you don't pass."

Amy froze. Her arms slowly lowered.

"..Huh?"

She wasn't laughing.

Instead, her face stiffened, her thoughts spiraling. Oh God... what if he really gets fed up with me?

Noticing the sudden shift in her expression, Zahn immediately softened. "It was a joke. Did you take it seriously?" His voice grew firm, carrying a quiet possessiveness. "I'm never leaving you."

Amy blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "That... I get it," she mumbled, but the doubt still lingered.

She hesitated before admitting, "Still, I feel kind of worried."

Zahn tilted his head. "Why?"

She sighed. "Last time, my mom said the same thing. That you'll be successful, and then... why would you still want me?"

Zahn stared at her, as if the question itself was absurd.

Because it's her. Because I can't imagine a day without her annoying me, teasing me, making me laugh.

"You already know, Because you're you," he said simply. His voice carried no hesitation, no room for doubt. "That's enough for me."

Amy felt her chest tighten. She opened her mouth, then closed it, unable to form words.

His eyes softened further.

"You don't have to be perfect, but I do hope you put in effort. You are just unmotivated."

" Uhm Maybe..you are right. I need to work hard"

Amy took a deep breath. It's not time to laze anymore.

Later that evening, Amy finally opened her books, a rare determination sparking in her eyes. Her upcoming exams loomed closer, and for once, she knew she had to take them seriously.

She picked up a thick textbook, flipping through the pages. Just one glance at the sheer amount of material made her head spin. How am I supposed to read all this?!

Zahn, who was sitting beside her, raised an eyebrow in mild surprise. She was actually trying? That was new.

"Need help?" he asked, eyeing her struggling expression.

"Mhm." Amy hummed tiredly, shoving the book into his hands.

Zahn sighed, skimming the chapter she had opened. "Alright, what are you struggling with?"

Amy lazily pointed at a passage. "This whole thing."

His gaze flicked to her. "You didn't even read it, did you?"

Amy grinned sheepishly. "It's just tough.."

Zahn shook his head, but instead of scolding her, he started reading aloud, explaining the concepts as best as he could.

Amy shifted closer, then casually rested her head on his lap, making herself comfortable.

For the next hour, he kept reading, explaining in detail while slowly getting interested himself. This subject isn't that bad, actually...

At first, Amy listened attentively, nodding along. But as time passed, her blinks grew slower, her responses quieter... until eventually, she dozed off, completely knocked out on his lap.

Zahn, completely unaware, continued.

"...so that was Stuart Hall's reception theory in communication studies. Basically, when a message is created, it's encoded with a specific meaning by the sender. But when the receiver interprets it, they might decode it differently based on their background, culture, or personal experiences. Do you understand, Amy?"

Silence.

Zahn looked down-only to find her peacefully asleep, her breathing slow and even.

His eye twitched.

"Gosh, AMY!"

She stirred as he pinched her ear lightly. "Ow!" she yelped, immediately waking up.

"How can you fall asleep when I'm teaching you?" he scolded.

Amy rubbed her ear, pouting. "Sorry... your voice is just so melodious that it lulled me to sleep."

Zahn exhaled sharply. "And did you even listen to anything?"

"Yes, sir!" She straightened up, putting on an innocent look. "You said... um... communication is... very important for us?"

He narrowed his eyes. "That's all you got from an hour of studying?"

Amy awkwardly laughed. "Sorry, sir... I was listening so well, but... I seem to have forgotten now."

Zahn stared at her in disbelief before letting out a tired sigh. He tossed the book onto the table as he stood up from the couch.

"You don't even try to focus!" He crossed his arms. "That's it. You aren't getting any snacks for three months."

Amy gasped dramatically. "Oh GOD! Zahn, don't be mad!"

But he just turned away with an unimpressed look.

Amy bit her lip, frustrated with herself. It can't be like this... I really wanted to focus, but I ended up lazing around again.

Amy stared at the textbook Zahn had tossed aside. She reached for it, running her fingers over the cover, her brows furrowing.

I can't keep being like this... I need to pass..