Where We Stand

PROLOGUE

Emma adjusted her glasses as she entered the bustling campus coffee shop, the rich scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloping her like a warm hug. The sound of coffee cups clinking together mixed with the lively chatter of students, creating a vibrant backdrop that both excited and overwhelmed her. Despite the noise, Emma found solace in her books and her own thoughts, though a flutter of anxiety settled in her stomach. Today was different; she was stepping into unfamiliar territory, the prospect of social interaction looming ahead.

With her dark hair pulled into a neat bun and her favorite oversized sweater enveloping her, she felt like a walking contradiction—an introvert who thrived on creativity yet shied away from social interactions. As she scanned the coffee shop for Marcus, the din around her faded into a soft hum, replaced by her racing thoughts. Would he think she was too reserved? Would he notice how her hands trembled slightly when she was nervous?

At 5'9", Emma often felt like she towered over her peers, a fact that had made her self-conscious during her early teenage years. However, since turning 16, she had embraced her height, realizing it set her apart in an empowering way. She loved the confidence that came with being tall, whether it was the way she commanded attention in the classroom or the compliments she received on her striking presence. As she spotted Marcus entering the coffee shop, a wave of relief washed over her. He seemed approachable, and perhaps tutoring him would provide a comforting distraction from her nerves.

Marcus bounded over to her table, his easy smile instantly putting her at ease. "Hey, Emma, right?" he said, his casual demeanor contrasting with the nervous flutter in her stomach. She nodded, returning his smile, and gestured for him to sit down. "Thanks for agreeing to help me out. I'm really struggling with calculus, and I could use all the help I can get." Emma felt a surge of determination; this was her moment to shine, to prove her worth beyond the walls of her studies. "No problem! I'm happy to help. Let's take it step by step," she replied, her voice steadying as they settled into their session. As they opened their textbooks, Emma felt the familiar rush of excitement that came with sharing knowledge, eager to guide Marcus through the complexities of derivatives and integrals.

As the minutes turned into an hour, Emma found herself getting lost in the material, her nerves fading away with each explanation. Marcus was attentive, asking thoughtful questions that showed he genuinely wanted to understand the concepts. The atmosphere in the coffee shop buzzed around them, but in their little bubble, it felt like time stood still. Emma couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to him, the initial apprehension melting away as they shared laughs over the challenging problems.

"Okay, I think I'm starting to get it," Marcus said, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "You make this stuff sound way less intimidating." Emma blushed at the compliment, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. It was moments like these that reminded her of why she loved tutoring. "I'm glad! It just takes a bit of practice," she replied, her confidence growing with every interaction.

After their study session, Emma walked Marcus to the door, feeling accomplished and a bit more confident. As they stepped outside into the crisp Boston air, Marcus casually mentioned, "You should come to one of our hockey games. It'll be fun." Emma nodded, half-heartedly considering the idea. The thought of being in a loud crowd was daunting, but a small part of her was curious.

Just then, they unexpectedly bumped into a group of players coming from the direction of the hockey rink. Among them was Hudson, standing at an impressive 6'4" with a black buzz cut that accentuated his strong facial features. His deep eyes held an intensity that made Emma's heart race, and his wide frame exuded an effortless confidence, like one of those hot guys from the TikTok edit videos that seemed to command attention effortlessly.

As their eyes met, Emma felt a mix of curiosity and irritation. Hudson stood tall with a playful grin on his face, as if he was always ready for a joke. "Hey, Marcus! Who's this?" Hudson asked, arching an eyebrow as he glanced at Emma. She straightened her back, determined to appear composed. "This is Emma. She's my calculus tutor," Marcus replied, chuckling. Emma shot him a quick glare, silently pleading for him not to make it a big deal.

"Ah, the brains of the operation," Hudson said with a smirk, his tone light but laced with a hint of condescension. "So, are you going to tutor me next? I could use some help with my... life choices." Emma rolled her eyes, irritation bubbling to the surface. "I'm not sure you'd take my advice seriously," she shot back, her voice tinged with sarcasm.

Hudson laughed, unfazed. "Touché. But I bet you could learn a thing or two about loosening up," he countered, his confidence palpable. Emma felt her cheeks flush with annoyance. Who did he think he was, acting so carefree while undermining her efforts?

"I'm perfectly fine, thank you," she replied, her tone icy. She could see the amusement in his eyes, as if he found her aloofness entertaining. Marcus, sensing the tension, awkwardly interjected, "Alright, let's not scare Emma away before she's even gotten to know you!"

Hudson just shrugged, still wearing that infuriating grin. "Just trying to lighten the mood," he said, but Emma wasn't having any of it. She turned to Marcus, forcing a smile. "I should get going. Thanks for today, Marcus."

As she walked away, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter was only the beginning of a complicated and frustrating relationship. Hudson's laughter echoed in her ears, mingling with her irritation as she headed back to her apartment, determined to focus on her studies and leave the hockey players—and their cocky antics—behind.