I watch as the small, white puppy licks Noah’s face. My boyfriend giggles and pets the animal carefully.
He then looks at me. My attention is led back to the book in front of me.
"What time is it?"
"Four in the morning."
He sits up. "Have you slept?"
I shake my head. "Not really."
Noah lets out a heavy sigh. "You don't have to study this hard; the contest doesn't really matter."
I love his morning voice, but not what he says this time. Yes, I didn't even want to enter the contest, but now all my relatives know about it. I've always had this stupid fear of disappointing people. I can't give up an opportunity like this to make them proud of me.
"I really want to win." I mutter, backing up my insecurities with an exaggerated love for competitiveness.
"Now I
