Past the Honor Code

The Beginning and the End

The crisp, early fall air rustled through the leaves as students crisscrossed the University of Michigan's bustling campus. Among them was Garv, a sophomore enrolled in EECS 370. With a passion for computer architecture that was as structured as the circuits he studied, Garv was known for his quiet demeanor and laser focus. He walked into the lecture hall, his mind racing through the logic gates and assembly code he'd been revising late into the night.

Today, however, his routine was about to be disrupted. As he reached his usual seat at the back of the classroom, he noticed it was, unusually, already taken. With a slight frown, he scanned the room and chose a spot closer to the front—something he rarely did, preferring the solitude and anonymity the back rows offered.

Daniel, on the other hand, was running late. His morning had started in a rush, with his alarm failing to go off. Sprinting across the campus, his backpack bounced wildly as he dodged fellow students and puddles from last night's rain. He slid into the only seat left, slightly breathless and flushed from his sprint. It just so happened to be next to Garv.

"Sorry, am I too disruptive?" Daniel whispered with a sheepish grin, noticing Garv's organized layout of notepad, textbook, and laptop all precisely aligned.

Garv glanced at him, ready to dismiss his presence, but something about Daniel's bright eyes and earnest smile paused him. "No, it's fine," he replied, a hint of a smile tugging at his own lips.As Professor Lindell began the lecture on the intricacies of microprocessors, Garv found himself unexpectedly drawn into a whispered conversation with Daniel. Between discussions of MIPS instruction formats and pipeline hazards, they shared little tidbits about themselves. Garv learned that Daniel had transferred from another college, hoping to find more challenging and engaging coursework at Michigan.

"I've always been fascinated by how things work, you know? Like, what's under the hood—whether it's a car or a computer," Daniel shared, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

Garv nodded, his own passion for understanding systems resonating with Daniel's words. "Exactly, the structure, the design—it's like solving a puzzle."

The initial awkwardness melted away as they found common ground in their academic interests, leading to laughs over quirky programming bugs and even a shared disappointment over the local coffee shop's tendency to overbrew.

Over the next few weeks, their friendship blossomed. Study sessions turned into coffee hangouts, and then to attending a few campus events together. Garv, who had always kept to himself, found Daniel's vivacity infectious, and Daniel appreciated Garv's thoughtful insights and quiet strength.

One chilly October evening, as they walked back from a grueling study session, Daniel's laughter echoed through the air, his breath forming clouds in the cold. "You know, I never thought I'd enjoy EECS 370 this much," he admitted, bumping shoulders with Garv playfully.

Garv looked over at him, the campus lights casting shadows on his face. "Yeah, it's not just the content. It's... it's also the company," he said, his voice softer than he intended.

They stopped walking, a comfortable silence settling between them as they reached the Diag, its pathways radiating like the circuit boards they studied. Daniel turned to face Garv, his expression earnest. "I was actually going to say that," he chuckled. "I... I really like spending time with you, Garv."

Garv's heart raced, his usual calm demeanor giving way to a surge of boldness. "I like being with you too, Daniel. More than I thought I would."'

The admission hung in the air, charged like the electric potential they studied. Daniel reached out, his hand gently touching Garv's. "So, what do we do with these feelings?"

Garv, usually so certain with his logic and codes, felt a thrilling uncertainty. He squeezed Daniel's hand, a decision forming amidst the chaos of his emotions. "Let's explore them, together."Their relationship developed as intricately as the subjects they studied. They learned each other's quirks and debugged each other's bad days, their bond strengthening with each challenge. EECS 370 was no longer just about processors and programming; it was the beginning of their own personal story, written in lines of code and moments of connection, a testament to the unexpected algorithms of the heart.

In the weeks that followed, Garv and Daniel continued to navigate the complexities of their coursework and their growing feelings for each other with an ease that surprised them both. Garv introduced Daniel to his favorite quiet spots around campus where they could study—or more often than not, end up in deep conversations about everything from artificial intelligence ethics to their favorite science fiction movies.

Meanwhile, Daniel brought a sense of adventure into Garv's life, encouraging him to join various campus activities. They attended hackathons, where they not only honed their coding skills but also their teamwork, often working side by side into the early hours of the morning, fueled by cold pizza and warmer smiles.

As autumn deepened into winter, their routine included long walks wrapped in scarves and mittens, debating over the best strategies for their projects or discussing their plans for the holiday break. It was during one of these walks, as they passed the softly lit, festive windows of State Street shops, that Daniel stopped suddenly, pulling Garv aside by a snow-covered bench near the library.

"Garv," Daniel started, his breath visible in the frosty air, "I've been thinking a lot about what we've been sharing these past months. You've become such an important part of my life."Garv, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves, met Daniel's gaze. The festive lights reflected in Daniel's eyes, giving them an extra sparkle. "I feel the same, Daniel. I never expected to find someone who understands me so well, especially not in EECS 370."

Daniel smiled, his cheeks reddened from the cold. "I guess we were both debugging more than just our code, huh?"

Laughing, Garv nodded. "Yeah, we were debugging life. Finding each other was like finding the missing piece in a complex algorithm."

Taking a deep breath, Daniel took both of Garv's hands in his. "So, I was wondering, would you want to make this official? You know, be my boyfriend?" His voice held a hopeful note.

Without hesitation, Garv squeezed Daniel's hands. "I thought you'd never ask," he replied, his heart swelling with joy.From then on, their relationship blossomed even further. They were not only partners in class but in life, facing the challenges of university and personal growth together. They found that their differences balanced them perfectly, and their similarities bound them closely. Whether tackling a difficult project or enjoying a quiet moment together under the snow-laden trees of the campus, Garv and Daniel had each found a partner, a confidant, and a love that started in an unexpected classroom setting but promised to extend far beyond the walls of the University of Michigan.