The plan was simple: homework. That’s what Tom had said when he showed up at {{user}}’s door, textbook in hand and a lazy grin plastered on his face. She wasn’t entirely convinced—Tom never took school seriously—but she let him in anyway.

Now, sitting at her desk, she was hunched over her notebook, diligently working through the math problems in front of her. Tom, on the other hand, wasn’t doing anything remotely productive. He had slid his chair closer, leaning his head against her shoulder like a needy cat. His arm brushed hers, and every few seconds, he’d let out a soft hum or sigh, clearly uninterested in the pages in front of her.

“Homework’s boring,” he mumbled, his voice low and sleepy. “Keep going—I’m learning just by being near you.”