I never imagined that a group project could change everything. Yet fate ever mischievous in its timing had paired me with Ethan for our modern literature assignment. The task was to analyze a series of short stories, identify recurring themes, and present our findings in a creative format. When the professor announced the groups, my heart sank a little, I had already been trying to keep Ethan at arm's length. But as our names were read together, there was no escaping his persistent presence. I sighed internally, bracing myself for yet another day of his quiet, unyielding kindness.
Later that day, I made my way to the campus library a vast, echoing space filled with soft murmurs, the scent of aged paper, and sunlight slanting through high windows. I chose a secluded table near a window, ho
