Chapter Text
"If you're really having trouble in your class, I'd go to the expert," (name)'s best friend and roommate Mallory says, reclining into the chair.
(Name) stared at Mallory with a look of annoyance, offended that her friend thought of her in such a low regard. "I am not having trouble in Stienbeck's class, Mal. He's just being hard on me," she replies.
"Listen, (name), I love you, but Steinbeck is hard on everyone. If you want to move up next year, I strongly suggest getting extra help." Mallory glanced at (name), shifting in the recliner chair to look at her friend. "If it makes you feel any better, I heard this guy is a literal, literal genius. He had Steinbeck and knows exactly what he's doing. Plus, Brittany went to him for extra help and now she's in the 500 courses now--she's a sophomore. This guy knows, (name)."
"Well, who is he?" (name) sighs, giving in to Mal's protests.
"Edward Nygma? Nashton? I don't know...something like that?... Check the commons," Mal says, returning to her book.
With another heavy sigh, (name) picked up her bags and reluctantly headed to the info. commons in the west wing. (Name) in her entire life, had never needed extra help or tutoring in any of her classes. She had always been comfortable in all her classes and now that she was in college- everything seemed different. (Name) quietly pushed open the door to the library, where students studied independently and some in groups. It was quiet, of course, but the occasional page-turning and whispering echoed against the walls of the large library. As she made her way past the crowded tables, she searched for Nygma. Given the fact that (name) had suddenly heard of his name nearly minutes ago wasn't promising either, since she had absolutely no idea what he looked like. He could be the most awkward, most, scrawny, most ugly kid- or he could also look like the finest specimen of a man. Mallory could've at least given a description of the so-called 'genius', but now (name) was left to fend for herself. A simple "he's cute" would have also helped.
As (name) passed by a couple engaging in undisclosed activities behind the shelves, she decided to look for help. "You look lost," said a voice from behind the shelf. A rather tall individual was picking books out from the shelves, and placing some new ones in.
"Uhm...I'm here for tutoring. I'm looking for Edward Nyg-"
"I hate him!" Cries are heard from the other side of the library.
"You may have just found him," says the man with the books. The girl who stormed out of the library was furiously crying and soon, most of her friends had gone to comfort her.
"Should I be worried?"
"Most definitely. Try not to talk too much when you go to him," he shrugs.
(Name) looks at him with a sigh before turning around and heading over to a table in the corner of the room. The chair was toppled over due to the sudden outburst from the girl from before.
"Hello..." (Name) said nervously. All (name) could see was a pair of glasses staring back up at her. The man sitting across the table kept the book close to his face, barely moving the book below his nose.
"Is that a question?"
"Are you Edward Nygma?" She asked, taking a deep breath in.
"Who's asking?"
"I'm (Name). I'm a freshman here-"
"A freshman?" He chuckles.
"Will that be a problem?" She asks with a more confident, yet annoyed tone. Who was this guy to judge her? He merely snickered. "Uhm... I'm having trouble in my network engineering class-"
"Ah, Steinbeck or Russell?" He tilted his head.
"The former," she replied, resisting the urge to snap at him for interrupting her.
"God, I hated him. I am genuinely, sincerely sorry that you must take his class," he shakes his head. She pulls her bag strap closer to her chest and remains silent, merely nodding.
"As I was saying...I was wondering if you could help me since I need to have a project done by the end of next week."
"So you came to me because...?"
"Because I heard you're pretty good at working around computers."
"Well, then you heard correctly."
"So...can you help me?" She tilted her head. Edward finally put his book down, giving (name) a chance to examine his face beyond just his glasses. His face was utterly flawless and radiant. His brown eyes melted into a softer color under the sunlight from outside and his lips always seemed to be curved into an almost awkward smile.
"Well it sort of depends-"
"On what?" She demanded.
"I don't usually offer my services to lower-class men," he says looking her up and down before reclining into his chair. "But given that you are quite the looker, and very adamant... I'd be willing to assist you," he smiled.
She smiled in return, excitingly sitting in front of him and pulling out her textbook.
"Eager. That's abnormal. Eager to learn or eager about the fact that you're sitting in front of me?"
"Look, I truthfully don't want to be here," she leans forward, as his smile drops a bit, "I just need your help on understanding the material so I can do the project for Steinbeck."
"Well we should get started then, right?" He asks with a slight smile. Hours passed and Edward didn't hesitate in stopping the lesson. He had become comfortable with (name) in the few hours they spent together. He saw intelligence and beauty in her, which were prominent in her being. To him, she was perfect.
"I have to go, Ed. But we can study again on Wednesday if that's okay with you?" She asked, picking up her bag.
"Of course, I'm always willing to help you. If it's alright with you...maybe we could meet up for coffee tomorrow morning?" She stopped in her tracks and faced him fully.
"You're serious?" "I-I'm sorry, forget I ever said that-" "No, no no! Of course we can go," she smiled. He beamed back, blushing a bit. "I look forward to it."