Next few days are study time for all students at Tesla University. Exams are approaching and students are gathering in common areas, focused on their laptops and books or engaged in discussions related to topics that will be covered in exams.

Sarah and Vivian decided to meet once a day in the library to study. Sarah doesn’t really need a study-buddy, but she enjoys the change of getting out of the room. Two of them are studying different majors, but there is an overlap in courses between them, and Vivian is more than happy to use Sarah’s notes which are focusing on important points.

With every next day, Vivian is getting visibly more nervous because of the proximity of exams. Sarah, on the other side, is excited. She never had problems with exam preparations. With her near-photographic memory, fast reading and great analytical skills, preparing for exams is something that comes easy to her. Sarah is aware that her above average intelligence gives her an unfair advantage among academic peers. It’s almost like she has a cheat which allows her to cruise effortlessly through her education… so she keeps that to herself.

While sitting in the library next to Vivian, Sarah stares into the books and pretends to study, while thinking about some project she is working on currently or a game dungeon she plans to plunder later in the evening.

Back to present…

It is Saturday afternoon, and first exams are scheduled for Monday morning. Sarah does not want to even pretend anymore to study, it’s a waste of time. She decided to look for a job which will keep her busy.

Sarah is in the main building, inspecting ads on the bulletin board. This is where she finds posts from students who need help with their projects.

Sarah focused on the papers pinned on the board when without any warning, man’s perfume enveloped her. Sarah’s breath hitched. ‘Masculine, not too strong, attention grabbing, not headache inducing, very pleasing…’ She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, allowing a woody-flowery fragrance to fill her lungs.

After few seconds of enjoying the scent, Sarah opened her eyes and was surprised that a young man is standing next to her. ‘Too close!’ She stepped to the side to increase distance between them.

He didn’t seem to mind her action or notice her presence. His attention was focused on the bulletin board.

Sarah observed him: strong jaw, straight nose, and his perfect profile framed with long black hair, pulled back loosely.

If she paid attention when she was in the café with Vivian last time, she might recognize him as a young man who was sitting at the table behind her.

Sarah decided to wait for him to finish whatever he is doing so that she can go back to look at the posts on the board. Being close to him made her uncomfortable. She is not used to physical contact and prefers to keep an arm’s reach distance from people.

After some time, he turned to Sarah.

“Hello”, his deep voice rang in her ears and he smiled.

She was almost staring at him a moment ago, but now that his dark eyes are directed at her, she found it difficult to maintain eye contact. Her eyes moved away from his randomly.

“Hi”, Sarah responded while doing her best not to show that she is getting impatient for him to leave. His gaze made her uncomfortable.

He looked at her for few seconds before speaking. “It seems that I interrupted you, sorry about that.”

‘He does not look like he is sorry’, Sarah frowned lightly. His smile and the way he is looking at her told her that he is enjoying this.

After some contemplating, she decided to shake her head signaling that it’s not a problem. If she admits that he interrupted her, that is like an invitation to continue their interaction. This is much… shorter.

Seeing that she responded, his smile widened. “I see you are looking at the job posts. Are you posting a job or wanting to take on one?”

Her impatience was rising, he was blocking her access to the posts. And she found his remark too nosy. And with every passing moment, she was more confident that he is flirting with her. And it made her uncomfortable.

Sarah frowned. “Do I look like someone who needs help with completing assignments?”

He narrowed his eyes for a second, noticing her displeasure. ‘Aiden, get yourself together! This will be harder than what I thought.’

But he can’t back away now. He finally got a chance to talk to her, just the two of them. He composed himself and showed his best smile while deploying his ‘Plan B’.

“I need help with my assignment, design of an eCommerce site, are you interested? I can pay well.” His voice was low, like he was trying not to be overheard.

Sarah relaxed instantly and smiled. ‘Customer!’

“Yes, sure!” She did her best to sound casual and to suppress her excitement.

Sarah went through almost all the posts and could not find any requests for help with a project. Him coming to her and offering her a job is very convenient.

She lowered her voice to match his secretive vibe and leaned closer toward him. “Tell me more about the requirements.”

For a second, he was dazed by her smile. ‘She is very pretty when she smiles.’

The way how she immediately matched his way of speaking, entertained him. He snapped to his senses when he realized that she is interested to talk more to him. He cleared his throat. “I’m busy with exams now, can we exchange contact info, and chat after the exams are over?”.

Sarah thought for a bit. “Sounds good. After exams I will be off campus for few days, but I can let you know when I get back. Does that work for you?”

‘Yes! Aiden scores!’ He was not able to suppress a victorious smile.

“That is perfect. By the way, I’m Aiden”, he extended his hand for a handshake.

Sarah shook his hand shortly and responded: “Sarah.”

“I know.” Aiden immediately regretted this blunder, but there is no way to take it back. He smiled and hoped that she does not find it weird that he knows her name.

She was a bit startled, but then she remembered that it is not uncommon for people to know her. She is the youngest student, taking third year courses, with top scores at University, so almost everyone knows who she is.

They exchanged e-mails and phone numbers.

Sarah happily wished him a pleasant evening and headed to her dorm while humming a tune.

Aiden was looking at her retreating figure with a complex expression. He wanted to go after her, to talk more, maybe offer to walk her back to her dorm, but he stopped himself. It’s too early. She might pull back. He got to see her smile, and it was a very beautiful smile.

‘No! Wait! I’m here to get to see her skills, not her smile!’, he reminded himself.

Aiden found it interesting that Sarah seems to be immune to his charms. All females are easily dazed when he approaches them, and when he smiles, they can’t refuse whatever he asks for. That is something he did many times, and it always works! But Sarah was obviously irritated by his presence at first, and he had to resort to act as a customer in order to get her to relax and talk to him. And now he even needs to come up with a project in order to keep the façade of him as a customer.

Aiden shook his head in disbelief and took another glance at her contact info in his phone. Aiden was not aware that he smiled. He put his phone in the back pocket of his jeans and headed out towards men’s dormitories.

…

Sarah reached her room, removed her warm winter jacket, and then she remembered that she didn’t find a job for her to do. ‘Since when am I so easily distracted?’

The project for Aiden will not start for at least a week, and she was hoping to find something to work on before exams. Even though she looked at almost all postings on the board, there was a chance that few remaining ones are what she is looking for. She will not study anymore and has free time. ‘I can get a project and finish it before I need to start working on Aiden’s’.

Sarah looked out of the window and observed that wind was picking up. Which means that cold weather is getting even colder. She didn’t feel going out again in cold, so she gave up on that idea. She will just play “Age of Legends” to kill time.

…

Next few days passed in a flash.

It’s Wednesday afternoon and Sarah is in her room, packing. Her last exam for the semester just ended that morning, and now she is free to go home and spend few days with her family before winter semester starts.

Sarah texted Vivian letting her know that she is leaving and will see her on Monday.

Sarah is happy to go home and see her family. She knows that her two older sisters and her father will be home. Sarah wondered if her mom will be home. It would be nice if all 5 of them could be home at the same time.

—

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