Chapter 1: Introduction
I strolled into the lecture hall, papers clutched between my left hand and arm. The smell of fresh ink wafted around me as I sat down. This was Momentum University's most advanced mathematics class, and the pile of linear algebra exercises on my desk was proof enough that everyone took it seriously. I left my bag underneath Mom's old desk, which belonged to me now, since I was taking over her grad student position. She earned her Ph.D. in mathematics before Dad passed away, and I was on my way to doing the same.
The chatter in the lecture hall faded, and I looked up to see the professor walking in. Dr. Hastings was a sprightly man with a neatly trimmed white beard and glasses. Students scrambled to silence their phones, and some stuffed noses full of tissues.
As I scanned the lecture hall, another student caught my attention. He looked to be in his early twenties, just like me, sitting alone at a table near the windows. His fair skin glowed in the sunlight, and I could see his icy-blue eyes from across the room.
His chin-length, platinum blonde hair was perfectly styled. He tucked a loose strand behind his ear and let his soft, pink lips fall back into a frown.
I couldn't stop myself from feeling drawn to him. The contrast between us couldn't be more apparent—he was petite, I was muscular; he had fair skin and blonde hair, while I was dark-skinned with short, cropped black hair. He looked so vulnerable and unsure compared to the confident personae the other math students projected.
I observed him surreptitiously, as he fiddled with the straps of his backpack, his fingers shaking ever so slightly.
A rush of excitement coursed through my veins. I wanted to help him, to make him feel less lonely, even if just for a little while. As the class ended, I approached him, my voice calm and steady.
"Hi, I'm Marcus. I noticed you struggling with some problems earlier, and I wanted to offer you my help."
He blinked at me, his eyelashes fanning out like feathers.