Where We Stand

Chapter 1: Forced Proximity

Emma took a deep breath, steeling herself as she approached Marcus's dorm. The early autumn sun bathed the campus in golden light, and the crisp air was refreshing against her skin. However, the warmth outside contrasted sharply with the anxiety swirling in her stomach. Today, she had agreed to tutor Marcus in his territory, a decision that had come with its own set of complications.

As she reached the door, she felt a surge of apprehension. Emma triple-checked if she was at the correct room number, then softly knocked on the door.

The door swung open, and there stood Hudson, tall and imposing with his black buzz cut and those deep, knowing eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. His strong facial features were framed by a confident smile that made her stomach flip in a way she resented.

"Hey, tutor," he greeted with a casual smirk, his voice low and teasing.

Emma blinked, momentarily caught off guard by his presence. Great, just what I need, she thought, feeling a mix of annoyance and intrigue. "Uh, hi," she managed to reply, trying to maintain her composure. "Is Marcus here?"

"Yeah, he's just finishing up some stuff inside. I'm Hudson," he said, stepping aside to let her in. His broad frame filled the doorway, and as she passed, she could smell the faint hint of his cologne—something fresh and masculine that contrasted sharply with her own nervous energy.

As Emma just nodded and stepped into the small dorm room, the walls adorned with posters of hockey players and the faint sound of laughter filtering from outside made the atmosphere feel both lively and intimidating. She took a moment to adjust, glancing around the space cluttered with textbooks and hockey gear.

Marcus looked up from lying on his bed and straightened right away. "Oh hey!" He removed clothes from his chair and pulled up Hudson's chair from his desk, motioning for Emma to sit as he took a seat as well.

"Let's get started, then," Emma replied, settling into a chair as she pulled out her notebook and pen. She couldn't shake the feeling that Hudson's presence was an unwelcome distraction. Focus on Marcus, she reminded herself. You're here to help him, not to get caught up in whatever games Hudson plays.

On impulse, she pulled out her phone and texted her friend Lily.

Emma: Guess who I'm with?

Moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply.

Lily: Who? Please tell me it's finally a hot hockey player!

Emma let out a small sigh. She wasn't sure if she should share that it was Hudson—handsome, infuriating Hudson.

Emma: Close. It's Marcus... and Hudson just showed up.

Lily: No way! Hudson? The one with the buzz cut and the smirk? You need to take a chance and get to know him better!

Emma rolled her eyes at the screen, irritation flaring up again.

Emma: Lily, I'm here to tutor Marcus. Not to join the hockey fan club. Besides, he's just a guy. An infuriating guy at that.

She hit send, hoping that would end the conversation. But as she glanced up, she saw Hudson leaning back casually against his bed, arms crossed, that infuriating grin still plastered on his face.

"Everything okay?" Marcus asked, noticing her distraction.

"Yeah" she replied, forcing a smile. "Let's get back to calculus, alright?"