Emma couldn't ignore Ellie's resentment filled eyes.
"Don't you have a quiz coming up this week? You should go through the notes," Emma advised.
"Something is really not right," Ellie commented, "are you doing this to prove yourself to Daniel? Even though he is a huge nerd, it doesn't mean you have to be to accompany him. We don't change ourselves for a man."
"'We don't change ourselves for a man.' Those are some smart words spoken by you, Ellie. I hope you will remember them," Emma advised.
After that, she added, "I am not doing this for anyone. My dad is getting old, and I want to support him in business. I can't do that if I keep on muddling away."
Ellie said, "Uncle is still young. Why are you worrying that much? When you get older, you will eventually understand it."
Emma pursed her lips into a thin line and shook her head.
"Since we are young, we need to do something meaningful with our time, or else before we know it, we will be left with nothing but regrets," Emma expressed, releasing a sigh following that.
"Emma, be honest. Did my dad bribe you to brainwash me?" Ellie questioned, narrowing her eyes at her.
Emma stared at her bored. She knew that Ellie couldn't be changed in a day.
"Study," Emma ordered, "or else I will call your dad."
Ellie took a deep breath and mumbled, "All you know to do is threaten me with calling my dad."
After that, Ellie reached out for a random book. Furrowing her brows, she read through the words as if she was doing the most distasteful thing in the world.
As for Emma, she had calculus go through. Although these were basic math, her memories were weak, and she barely passed during high school. Therefore, Emma had to rely on multiple books to understand the basic concept.
However, studying was never her strength.
Searching up explanations did clear her confusion a little at the time, but after going through multiple concepts, she only got tangled between them.
Emma reminded herself that Rome wasn't built in one day.
However, the exams were coming up soon.
While Emma stressed herself out, midway through, Ellie switched her book to a romance novel. There was a grin on her face as she turned the pages.
As Emma got up to get herself another cup of coffee to keep herself awake, Ellie commented, "Emma, you opened my eyes today. Reading is actually fun."
Emma's eyes then fell on the title of the book Ellie was reading.
'One Night With The Young CEO.'
The corner of her lips twitched. This was not what she had in her head when she invited her friend to study, but at least this was better than her creating trouble.
"I will get myself coffee. Are you staying here?" Emma informed.
Ellie nodded her head. "I am not moving anywhere until I see this annoying man repent."
Emma had her phone in her hand. She scrolled through the course material as she walked forward with her head down, not paying attention to her surroundings.
She was halted in her steps with a touch on her head. This made Emma raise her head, and she found Daniel standing in front of her, staring down at her with his dark eyes. His palm was pressed against her forehead, preventing her from crashing into him.
"Pay attention when you are walking," he nonchantly stated.
Emma took a step back and said, "I apologize."
Daniel furrowed his brows, finding her to be strange today.
Emma noticed the look he gave her. The twenty year old her never would have thought she would change like this, but this is how life and time shapes you.
After that, Emma began to walk away. This time she did not look at her phone.
°°°
Once Ellie was halfway done through the romance novel, she claimed that her eyes hurt. She borrowed the book from the library, deciding to finish it at home.
Although she expressed that she was guilty and the only reason she left her alone in the library was because her dad wanted her to return home early, Emma could easily see the excitement in her eyes.
It was as though she had been locked up for long, and finally, she got her freedom.
Once her friend was gone, Emma concentrated on studying, not noticing as the time passed by.
Emma bit on the end of the pen as she went through the problem. No matter how much she searched online and made a mess out of the paper, she wasn't getting any closer to the answer.
Just as she was losing hope and decided to call it quits for the night, she felt someone grab the pen from her hand.
"You will substitute it here," a manly voice instructed.
Taken aback, Emma raised her head to find Daniel standing beside her. As he went on to solve the equation, Daniel leaned closer to her.
The soft scent of citrus wafted from him, and the proximity between them made nervousness arise with her. She clenched her hand into a tight fist.
The man's deep voice floated into her ear as he explained the steps. Her mind was barely able to process anything.
Whether it was Daniel who stood so close to her or explained the math to her, Emma was unable to wrap her head around it.
"Did you get it?" Daniel asked, turning his gaze on her.
Emma's lips parted slightly.
Although she barely got a word of what he said, Emma couldn't say she was too distracted.
"A little. This is my first time properly studying this, so it is a bit tough for me," Emma expressed.
Daniel nodded.
As Daniel took a step back from her, Emma felt a sense of loss, but she quickly suppressed that feeling.
"That, thank you, Daniel. It must have been a bother," Emma vocalized.
"Where did you learn to be polite all of a sudden?" Daniel asked.
Emma chuckled.
"Why? Can't I change? Am I a hopeless case already?" There was a mocking intent in her voice.
"You're free to do whatever you want. I came to remind you that the library will be closing down soon. You should clean up," Daniel pointed out.
After that, he walked away.
He probably helped her with the math because he wanted her to get out of here as soon as possible, so that he could close the library.