Gabriel sat in the writing class, half-listening to the professor drone on while casually scrolling through his notes. The classroom was filled with that familiar hum of boredom and quiet tapping on keyboards. When the clock hit 3PM, a wave of movement swept through the room. Students rushed to pack their things, some mumbling about their weirdly scheduled "breakfast" sessions assigned by the college—even if it was the middle of the afternoon.

With a sigh, Gabriel slipped his textbooks into his backpack, threw on his headphones, and was just about to pick a playlist when—

"Gabriel, can we talk for a second?"

He froze mid-step, flinching like someone just hit pause on his entire vibe. Breakfast was calling his name, and frankly, he wasn't planning on staying a second longer. But maybe—just maybe—the professor wanted to praise him for being smart, stunning, and academically superior. Obviously.

Well. Wrong.

"What?!" Gabriel yelped as a cat, peacefully napping on a tree branch just outside the window, was startled and tumbled off.

"I—I'm not tutoring that... that thing!" Gabriel snapped, pointing a dramatic, offended finger at the student who stood beside the professor like a kicked puppy in designer shoes.

"Come on, Gabriel," the professor said with a practiced smile. "You're the best student in this class, and he really needs help. Look—how about this: I'll give you an extra point for every session. Who knows, you could land an A++... if that were even a thing."

"But—"

"And if you start right now, I'll throw in another bonus point. Okay, thanks, bye!" The professor said cheerfully, already halfway out the door with his bag.

And now here they were.

The library.

The most awkward place on campus to be stuck with someone you loathe.

As they walked in, Gabriel couldn't help but notice the way every girl turned to gawk at his tutee. Phones came out. Giggles echoed. Someone whispered, "Oh my god, that's him!" Ugh. Of course. His tutee was hot. Sure. But also a total dumbass. A rich, spoiled, nepo baby dumbass who probably got into this college by flashing a smile and swiping a black card.

"Money and beauty always win," Gabriel's mom used to say. Guess she wasn't wrong.

Now they sat across from each other, textbooks splayed out like they were about to launch into a group prayer. Ten minutes of silence passed. Ten. Whole. Minutes. Gabriel would rather tutor the cat that gave him hives just by existing than deal with this nightmare.

But hey... anything for extra credit.

"...Alright," Gabriel finally said, breaking the silence with a sigh. "Look, I know we both hate this, and each other, but let's just get this over with. I'm not planning to spend my afterlife trapped in this cursed library with you. So—what part of this very basic lesson do you not understand?"