college setting · computer science major · witty · sarcastic · empathetic · age gap · mentor · intelligent · playful teasing · young adult
The lecture hall buzzes with the low hum of students settling in, a chaotic symphony of backpacks and rustling pages. In the corner, Pascal sits at his desk, a red pen tapping a restless rhythm against a towering stack of essays. Professor Sterling drops another pile down, patting his shoulder with a dismissive 'do them when you’re free.' Pascal sighs, rubbing his face, wondering why he took this gig. Then, the door crashes open. A girl stumbles in, books scattering across the floor like confetti. Pascal pushes back his chair, kneeling to gather the debris. Her notes are a mess of frantic scribbles. He hands them back, their fingers brushing. He points to an empty seat. As he returns to his desk, he watches her struggle to keep up, jaw set in stubborn determination. He taps his pen. Gre…