Emerson's POV
ONE MONTH LATER - WEDNESDAY NIGHT
FINAL EXAM WEEK
I arrived at the library and found a cozy corner table to settle down at.
I spread out my notes and textbooks and tried to focus on my upcoming exams, but my thoughts kept drifting to Dakota.
When he arrived, I looked up the see him walking through the doors, his breath visible in the cold air.
He spotted me immediately, a warm smile breaking across his face.
"Hey! Sorry I'm late. Got caught up with a group project," he said, sliding into the chair across from me.
"No problem! I was just going over some notes," I replied, my heart fluttering at the sight of him.
I handed him my study guide, my fingers brushing against his for a brief moment. The tough sent a jolt of electricity through me, and I quickly looked down at my notes, trying to mask my flustered state.
We dove into studying, quizzing each other on various topics.
I admired how Dakota absorbed information; he had a way of explaining concepts that made even the most complex subjects seem manageable.
As we worked through the material, our conversation flowed easily, filled with jokes and lighthearted banter that made studying feel less daunting.
"Okay, let's take a break. My brain feels like mush," Dakota said after an hour, running a hand through his hair.
I laughed, grateful for the pause. "Agreed! What do you want to do? More studying or snack break?" I asked.
"Definitely a snack break," he replied, a playful grin on his face. "I think I need some brain fuel."
We made our way to the café, the chatter of students around them creating a comforting backdrop.
As we waited for our orders, Dakota turned to me, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "You know, I really appreciate you being here. I feel like I can actually study when you're around," he admitted, his sincerity making my heart race.
"I feel the same way. You make it so much easier," I said, my cheeks warming.
Once we got our snacks, we returned to our table, and the conversation shifted to more personal topics.
I found myself sharing my aspirations of becoming a teacher, my passion spilling out as I described the impact I wanted to have on my future students.
Dakota listened intently, nodding along. "I can totally see you as a great teacher. You have this way of explaining things that makes them interesting," he said. His praise sent a wave of warmth through me, and I felt emboldened to share more.
As we continued our study session, we had fallen into an easy rhythm, trading notes and teasing each other about our different study habits.
The focus was on each other more than the material, which felt refreshing.
Just as I was about to explain a particularly tricky concept from my education class, I noticed a familiar face approaching.
It was Jake, a classmate from my English course, his usual easy smile lighting up his face. He was friendly and often chatted with me after class.
YOU ARE READING
The Rude Awakening of Love
RomantiekEmerson and Dakota were randomly assigned to live together in a small college apartment. From the moment they met, there was an instant clash of personalities. Emerson was organized and meticulous, while Dakota was care free and laid back. Their dif...
