The week sped by, and before Tessia knew it, the looming threat of exams was right around the corner. The days seemed to blur together in a whirlwind of textbooks, notes, and caffeine. On a particularly gloomy Thursday afternoon, Tessia found herself at a small café, huddled over her study materials. Her face was a picture of concentration as she highlighted notes and scribbled down important points.
Lucas found her there, just as she was reaching for another coffee. He slid into the chair opposite her, a casual grin on his face. 
"How’s the studying going?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Tessia sighed, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It’s going... not great. I feel like there’s so much to remember and not enough time."
Lucas nodded sympathetically, taking in the piles of notes and textbooks strewn across the table. "I know the feeling. Exams are brutal."
Tessia’s shoulders slumped slightly. "Yeah. It’s just so overwhelming."
Lucas leaned forward, his gaze thoughtful. "You know, if you’re struggling, maybe we could study together. It might help to have someone else around."
Tessia looked up at him, surprised by the offer. "Really? You’d do that?"
"Of course," Lucas said with a shrug. "I’m not a genius, but I can at least help keep you motivated."
Tessia’s expression brightened, her mood lifting at his willingness to help. "That would be amazing. I’d really appreciate it."
"Great," Lucas said, smiling. "How about we study at my place? It’ll be quieter, and we can avoid the café distractions."
Tessia hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. When do you want to start?"
"How about tomorrow evening?" Lucas suggested. "We can get some pizza and make a night of it. Studying doesn’t have to be all work and no play."
Tessia laughed, feeling a sense of relief. "Pizza sounds perfect. I could use a break from all this stress."
"Awesome," Lucas said, standing up. "I’ll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Tessia agreed, gathering her things. As Lucas walked out of the café, Tessia felt a surge of gratitude. Studying with him might not only ease her stress but also give them a chance to spend more time together.
---
The following evening, Tessia arrived at Lucas’s apartment, her nerves a mix of excitement and apprehension. She rang the doorbell, and after a few moments, Lucas opened the door with a warm smile.
"Hey, Tess! Come on in," he greeted, stepping aside to let her enter.
Tessia stepped into the cozy apartment, taking in the familiar yet slightly different atmosphere. Lucas’s place was neatly organized, with a few personal touches like posters on the walls and a small bookshelf filled with novels and random trinkets.
"Nice place," Tessia said, looking around with a smile.
"Thanks," Lucas said, closing the door behind her. "Feel free to make yourself at home. I’ll just grab some drinks."
Tessia took off her coat and followed Lucas into the living room, where he had set up a small study area. There were notebooks and textbooks spread out on the coffee table, alongside a few snacks and a couple of sodas.
"This looks great," Tessia said, settling onto the couch. "You really went all out."
Lucas shrugged, handing her a soda. "I figured if we’re going to study, we might as well be comfortable."
Tessia took the soda with a grateful smile, her nerves easing slightly. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
"Anytime," Lucas said, plopping down beside her on the couch. "So, where do you want to start?"
Tessia glanced at the study materials, then looked back at Lucas. "Maybe we could start with the hardest subject. It’ll be easier to tackle when we’re still fresh."
"Sounds good to me," Lucas agreed, reaching for a textbook. "Let’s dive in."
For the next hour, they worked through the material, occasionally breaking to discuss difficult concepts or to grab more snacks. Lucas proved to be a surprisingly effective study partner, explaining concepts clearly and patiently. Tessia found herself appreciating not only his help but also his company.
During one of their breaks, Tessia glanced at Lucas, who was stretching his arms and yawning. "Hey, you’re not getting bored, are you?"
Lucas shook his head, rubbing his eyes. "Not at all. I actually enjoy this more than I thought I would."
Tessia tilted her head, looking at him curiously. "Really? I thought you’d find this kind of study session a bit dull."
Lucas chuckled. "Nah, I don’t mind it. It’s nice to have some company, and it makes the studying less tedious."
Tessia smiled, feeling a warm flutter in her chest. "I’m glad. I was a bit worried this might turn awkward."
Lucas raised an eyebrow playfully. "Awkward? Us? Never."
Tessia laughed, feeling more relaxed. "Well, I’m glad to hear that."
As they continued studying, the evening wore on, and their conversation started to drift away from academics. They began sharing funny anecdotes from their school days and reminiscing about their past adventures.
"Remember that time we tried to build a treehouse?" Lucas asked, laughing. "And it fell apart before we even finished it?"
Tessia grinned, nodding. "How could I forget? We spent weeks gathering materials, and it ended up being more of a hazard than anything else."
Lucas snickered, shaking his head. "And your dad had to come rescue us when we got stuck up there."
"Yeah," Tessia said, laughing. "He was so disappointed when he saw the mess we’d made."
Lucas looked at her, his expression softening. "You know, I miss those days. Things were simpler back then."
Tessia’s smile faded slightly, her mood turning reflective. "Yeah. They were. It feels like we’ve grown up so fast."
Lucas looked at her, his gaze gentle. "But we still have moments like this. It’s nice, isn’t it?"
Tessia nodded, feeling a surge of warmth at his words. "Yeah, it really is."
As the night wore on, they finished their study session, both feeling a sense of accomplishment. Lucas glanced at the clock and then at Tessia, who was packing up her things.
"It’s getting pretty late," he said, standing up. "Do you want me to walk you home?"
Tessia looked up, surprised by the offer. "You don’t have to. I can manage."
Lucas shook his head, his expression firm. "No, I insist. It’s not safe to walk alone this late, and it’s on my way."
Tessia hesitated for a moment, then smiled gratefully. "Alright, if you insist. Thanks."
They left the apartment together, and as they walked down the quiet streets, Tessia felt a comfortable silence settle between them. The night air was cool, and the city lights created a soft, calming glow.
As they reached Tessia’s house, she turned to Lucas, her heart full of appreciation. "Thanks for everything tonight, Lucas. I really needed this."
Lucas smiled, his eyes warm. "Anytime, Tess. I’m glad I could help."
They stood there for a moment, the distance between them charged with unspoken emotions. Tessia felt a flutter of nerves but also a deep sense of contentment.
"Well, goodnight, Lucas," Tessia said softly, her gaze meeting his.
"Goodnight, Tess," Lucas replied, his voice gentle.
They shared a brief, meaningful look before Tessia turned to enter her house. As she closed the door behind her, she leaned against it, a smile spreading across her face. Tonight had been filled with study, laughter, and unexpected moments, and she felt a renewed sense of closeness with Lucas.
As for Lucas, he walked back to his apartment with a sense of satisfaction. The evening had been more enjoyable than he had anticipated, and he found himself looking forward to their next study session—or perhaps something more.