Amara's hands trembled slightly as she walked toward Daniel's table. Every step felt heavier than the last, her notebook clutched like a lifeline. She had never been called out in front of the whole class before, and now she was expected to work alongside the campus "golden boy."
Daniel looked up, his smile polite but curious. "You must be Amara," he said, extending his hand.
"Y-Yes," she stammered, shaking it briefly.
Tolu's earlier words echoed in her mind: "Just be yourself. You've got this."
Taking a deep breath, Amara tried to push her nerves aside. "Shall we… start?"
Daniel nodded, flipping open his laptop. "Sure. Let's figure out what we're doing first."
As they began dividing tasks, Amara noticed small things, the way he organized his notes, how he asked questions politely, even the occasional soft smile he gave when something amused him. Despite herself, she felt a spark of curiosity.
"So… do you usually ace group projects, or is this your first?" she asked cautiously.
He chuckled. "I'm not perfect, but I try. And you?"
"I… try too," she admitted, her cheeks warming.
The lecture hall outside buzzed with chatter, but in that little corner, a quiet partnership was forming one that neither Amara nor Daniel could yet predict would grow into something far more personal.
By the end of the session, they had agreed on tasks and deadlines, but the most important thing wasn't on the project sheet. It was the beginning of a connection, subtle but undeniable, that promised laughter, misunderstandings, and perhaps… a little romance.