Jess sees how hard he studies. Midterms roll around and he hits the stacks before anyone, stays until the library closes and then goes sleepless reading textbooks cover to cover. She's always been impressed by his ability to get by on an hour or two of sleep a night.
The first time it happens she's a little frustrated, maybe even jealous that her boyfriend doesn't have time for her any more. "You're smart already," she says, leaning an arm across the page. "Brady and Dana are down at the bar; come have a drink." He smiles and she goes alone.
It's not that he's worried about failing, though, she realizes later. It's that he can't stand not to be the best. He doesn't talk much about his family, but she gets the impression that he was never the favorite kid. She knows he's putting himself through college, too; knows it's not because of his family's financial trouble.
It's pride, she decides, after waking up to find him snoring into a legal dictionary, and not for the first time. It's sheer, stubborn, stupid pride. She tiptoes around him and starts making the coffee.
Sam/Jess, pride
The first time it happens she's a little frustrated, maybe even jealous that her boyfriend doesn't have time for her any more. "You're smart already," she says, leaning an arm across the page. "Brady and Dana are down at the bar; come have a drink." He smiles and she goes alone.
It's not that he's worried about failing, though, she realizes later. It's that he can't stand not to be the best. He doesn't talk much about his family, but she gets the impression that he was never the favorite kid. She knows he's putting himself through college, too; knows it's not because of his family's financial trouble.
It's pride, she decides, after waking up to find him snoring into a legal dictionary, and not for the first time. It's sheer, stubborn, stupid pride. She tiptoes around him and starts making the coffee.