Emma Collins had usually been the quiet, observant type, blending into the background at Jefferson excessively. She favored analyzing her books in the library over the chaotic hustle of the cafeteria or the joys of Friday night soccer video games. However, it was in the pages of her favored romance novels that she allowed herself to imagine an exceptional lifestyle—a life filled with excitement, love, and a person who saw her for who she became. The Book of Us
That person turned out
To be the last person she expected—Tyler Anderson, the megastar quarterback and one of the maximum famous guys in college. Their paths could by no means have crossed, at least no longer in any significant way, if it hadn’t been for a random seating arrangement in English class throughout junior 12 months. The teacher had paired them collectively for a semester-long mission, and at the same time as Emma’s idea she should manipulate a professional distance, Tyler had different plans.
“Howdy, you study lots of romance, proper?”
He asked her one afternoon, his informal tone suggesting he wasn’t waiting for a critical reaction. “perhaps you could help me figure out how to get through those books.”
Emma raised an eyebrow, looking to suppress a smile. “I do not suppose you may find any sports activities techniques hidden in satisfaction and Prejudice.”
“Yeah, possibly not,” Tyler chuckled, strolling a hand via his messy brown hair. “but I do need help, severely. English isn’t always my issue. Maybe you can tutor me?”
Reluctantly,
Emma agreed. She spent the following couple of weeks tutoring Tyler inside the library after college. She speedy realized there was greater to him than his popularity. Under the swagger and the confident smile turned into a person who wanted to prove he wasn’t just the soccer man. He becomes curious, funny, and especially kind.
As they spent more time collectively, something changed. Emma felt herself looking forward to their examination sessions, looking ahead to the way Tyler’s eyes could mild up when he ultimately grasped a complex theme or nailed an essay. For Tyler, it turned into different too. Emma wasn’t just like the different women he knew—she didn’t care about the game or who was going to promenade with who. She challenged him and made him think in methods he hadn’t before. And slowly, nearly imperceptibly, he found himself interested in her in a manner that scared him.
One evening, after a specifically
lengthy have-a-look session, Tyler requested Emma a question that took her absolutely by way of wonder. “Do you ever consider what occurs after high school?”
Emma blinked, searching up from her notes. “After excessive faculty? Like, college?”
“Yeah,” he shrugged, “however also, I don’t realize, existence. The human beings we’ll still communicate to, the people we gained’t… the way the entirety modifications.”
Emma hesitated.
“I guess. I constantly figured lifestyles simply move on, and we adapt. but… I don’t genuinely understand. I’ve by no means been excellent at imagining the destiny.”
Tyler leaned again, his gaze suddenly extreme. “What about us? Do you observe we’d nonetheless be pals?”
The query hung in the air, heavy with unstated opportunities. Emma’s heart skipped a beat. She knew what he was truly asking. However, earlier than she ought to answer, the moment turned into damage via the sound of a janitor’s cart squeaking down the corridor.
“We should probably cross,”
Emma stated, quickly packing up her books. Tyler nodded, but as they left the library, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that the whole thing between them had been modified.
Days were weeks, and with prom across the nook, the complete school buzzed with excitement. Emma watched from the sidelines as women giggled over attire, and boys made intricate proposals. She hadn’t thought a whole lot about going until one evening, as they had been leaving the library, Tyler stopped her.
“Emma,” he stated, his voice softer than standard. “I recognize you’re now not into all this prom stuff, however, might you—” He took a deep breath. “might you go along with me?”
Emma’s coronary heart raced.
Tyler Anderson, asking her to promenade? It appeared like something out of certainly one of her romance books, however, this wasn’t fiction. This was actual.
She appeared up at him, searching his eyes for any sign of a comic story, but all she saw was sincerity. “I… I don’t understand if that’s an awesome concept.”
“Why not?” he requested, stepping nearer. “due to the fact human beings might communicate? Or because you’re frightened of what you feel?”
Emma opened her mouth to protest however stopped.
She had spent goodbye hiding behind her books, keeping her emotions at bay, but now, status in front of Tyler, she found out something. She didn’t want to be the girl in history anymore.
“Okay,” she stated, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll go together with you.”
Prom night arrived, and as Emma walked into the health club in her easy, light blue dress, she felt like she became living in one of her stories. The decorations had been tacky, the tune too loud, but none of that mattered. Tyler met her at the entrance, looking more frightened than she had ever seen him.
“Your appearance… remarkable,” he said, a soft smile on his lips.
“You don’t appear so bad yourself,” Emma answered, trying to disguise the butterflies in her belly.
They danced, they laughed,
And for the first time, Emma allowed herself to agree that perhaps, simply maybe, the tales she loved a lot ought to come true.
As the night time drew to a close, Tyler took her hand and led her outside, far from the crowd and the noise. Under the celebrities, he looked at her, his expression extreme.
“I like you, Emma. A lot. I realize we’re different, however, I suppose that’s what makes this painting.”
Emma smiled, her heart full. “I like you too, Tyler.”
And at that moment, underneath the twinkling lighting fixtures of Jefferson excessive, the quiet woman who cherished romance novels found herself dwelling her own love story—one which was just beginning.