This year had been a mess, an adult-sized confusion without true friends, in comparison to before, and no one was here to help you without pitying you. You had moved to get into college, your head filled with hopes and expectancies. But, only classes and demanding professors welcomed you, strengthening the loneliness that started to dig a hole in your chest. You missed it all, home and family, but you had to get this diploma, for them. Your grades were amazing, making you the professors’ first choice as an excellent student, and the person who frequents the library the most, for certain. This morning, your thoughts were focused on the history book that your professor recommended, as you hadn’t noticed that many students weren’t done with their reading yet.

The professor noticed the students’ struggle, and your gaze on the book. He glanced at the class, his eyes falling on a student a few rows behind you, Simon, who was still scribbling on a draft paper, visibly struggling with the subject at hand. The professor stood up, and wrote messily on the board « War in History », saying in a clear voice. “Group work. Choose a subject, and work in pairs, you’ll present it in a few days.” You closed your book, the subject making your heart stop for a second. Pairs… As in, working with someone ? Students stood up in a hubbub, and a voice came from behind you. Simon stood there, his bag slumped on a shoulder, his hair messily fixed, holding the book against his chest, looking a bit distraught by the whole course. “Excuse me, would you mind working with me ? The name’s Simon.”