Academically Yours (Best Friends Book Club, #1)

by Jennifer Chipman

Sometimes, I wondered if without me the rest of them would forget to plan anything, but I didn’t mind being the one to always suggest plans. Sometimes it was exhausting, but it was my role in the group. The ringleader. Or maybe I was just the bossiest one out of all of us. That was my Leo personality coming out.

I was exhausted. Exhausted from the first day of school, exhausted from always trying to be positive and happy all the time, exhausted because I didn’t know what I was doing with my life, and I didn’t know where I was even going to start figuring that out.

I knew, that once I found the right person, I was going to be in it for the long haul. Once I met her, I was going to do whatever it took to keep her in my life, and make sure she knew that I was hers, forever. And she would be mine. Absolutely, unequivocally, mine. I was just waiting for her to walk into my life.

And for some reason, her small smile just did something to me. Because the pure and utter bliss on her face… It stuck with me.

“I’d much prefer to meet the love of my life in more of a… Unique way.”

And when she had asked me how I wanted to meet someone, I almost said it. Just like this.

Sounds like foreshadowing lol

I didn’t want dating to feel like a chore, something I should do. I wanted to find that person who made me feel like it was something I had to do because I couldn’t live without her.

Relatable

I wasn’t ready. Not yet. But one day soon, I’d tell the story I wanted to tell. Maybe I just had to sort out the rest of my life first.

“I’ll always make time for you.” And damn if that statement didn’t make me feel all warm inside.

“Oh, Elle. That man is down for you bad.”

And I knew then. I was obsessed with her and every bit of her being, and it was all I could do to hold myself back. No matter how much I felt this spark between us. Because I wasn’t going to rush it. I wasn’t going to let myself ruin this. I couldn’t risk losing her.

“You vex me,” Matthew said, and then he crashed his lips onto mine, once again giving in to the pull we felt between us. “You enchant me.” He placed a kiss on my lips. “I think you’ve placed a curse on me because all I want is you.”

“Oh, Matthew, I do think you’ve found the way to my heart. I hope you know you’re ruining me for all other men.” “Yeah, that’s the point, baby.”

“Baby. I told you—you’re mine. I don’t want to let you go. I want you in my house. In my bed. At dinner with me, so I can make sure you’re not working yourself to death and that you’ve eaten. On the couch with me, watching a movie and giving me your little commentaries that I love. On a walk with me, so I can hold your hand and keep it warm. I want it all, Noelle. Every damn moment with you. I’m too selfish that I never, ever want to let you go.”

“It's like you walked into my life and the sun could shine again, like maybe if I was holding you, kissing you…” I paused, knowing what I needed to say but feeling so overwhelmed by the love I felt for her that I was getting choked up. “If I was loving you, then everything else was worth it.” “Do you?” Noelle breathed, her big brown eyes shimmering with a whirlwind of emotions as she clutched my shirt to keep herself steady. “Do I what?” I asked, wiping a thumb under her eye, collecting droplets of tears before they could run down her face. “Love me.” “Yes, baby,” I smiled, grazing her forehead with my lips, planting the faintest kiss there. “I do.” I shook my head, in awe that this crazy girl didn’t know I loved her yet. That it took me so long to tell her. “Loving you is as natural to me as breathing. I swear, Noelle, you came into my life and wormed your way into my heart. I knew the first time I saw you that there was no one like you on this planet. No one else for me.” I wiped another tear from her cheek, but they kept coming. “No one but you, my sweet girl.”

Unconditional happiness washed over me. “I’m yours, and you’re mine. Always and forever, okay?” “Will you say it again?” She asked quietly. “Say what, baby?” “That you love me.” I grinned, placing a kiss on her lips. “I love you, Noelle Hastings.” “That’s good,” Noelle started, and then she flushed, her cheeks turning red as I moved my focus to kiss each individual freckle on her face. “Because I love you too, Matthew Harper. Forever and always. I’m yours, truly.”

“Not right now, of course… But one day. Yeah. I’d like to do everything with you.” “That’s good because I want everything with you, too, Noelle Marie Hastings. And one day, I can’t wait to give you my last name, too.” I grinned. “If you want it.” Noelle’s face spread into another glorious grin. Even though her face was streaked with tears, she was still beautiful. “I do. I think. Want your last name.” “Good.” I smirked. “Because I want the world to know you’re mine.”

Noelle, From the very first time I saw you, I knew you were the one for me. While I could never have guessed the spark that would grow between us, or how much love I would feel for you, I know it just as well today as I did then. You are my sunshine, my life, the only person I ever want to wake up next to and kiss good morning. I want a lifetime with you, Noelle Marie Hastings—a life full of laughter, kisses, a whole lot of love, and endless books read. For the final clue, you will find… if you turn around, I’m right behind.

The music—an instrumental version of Noelle’s favorite song, invisible string (“By Taylor Swift, of course!”) played, and everyone rose from their chairs and turned to watch as she began her slow walk down the aisle.