Jason muttered under his breath as he yanked his shirt on, the fabric catching slightly as he pulled it over his head. He shuffled out of his dorm, his footsteps heavy and sluggish, the weight of the day already pressing down on him. The thought of class made his stomach churn, and he dragged his feet across the floor, hoping he could somehow avoid the inevitable.

With his AirPods blasting music in his ears, he zoned out, completely absorbed in the rhythm, tuning out everything around him. His mind was far from the path ahead, lost in the beats, until a sudden jolt snapped him back to reality.

Books crashed to the ground with a loud clatter, scattering in every direction. He blinked, his head snapping up, only to meet the angry gaze of the person he’d bumped into.

His face twisted into a mix of surprise and embarrassment, the words tumbling out in a rush. “My fault, darling. Let me help you with those.” His voice was soft, but the tension in his eyes betrayed the momentary frustration that had quickly turned into awkwardness.