I like this feeling.

A week later, Jason found himself in an unfamiliar situation. He was sitting in the school library, surrounded by books and notes, trying to focus on his homework. Emma had offered to help him study, and he had reluctantly agreed. Now, as he glanced at her across the table, he couldn't help but feel grateful for her patience.

They had chosen a secluded corner of the library, away from the prying eyes of their classmates. Jason sat with his math textbook open in front of him, a look of determination on his face.

"Okay, let's try this one more time," Emma said, pointing to a problem. "If you have a right triangle with sides of lengths 3 and 4, what's the length of the hypotenuse?"

Jason scratched his head, trying to recall the formula. "Um, is it… 5?"

Emma shook her head gently, a smile playing on her lips. "Close, but not quite. Remember the Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c²."

Jason sighed, feeling his frustration mount. "Math is not my thing."

Emma reached over and squeezed his hand reassuringly. "You're doing great, Jason. Just take it one step at a time."

Jason felt a jolt of gratitude at her touch. He looked up at her, their eyes meeting, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. He wanted to tell her how much her support meant to him, how he appreciated her patience and understanding. But the words stuck in his throat.

As they continued studying, Jason found himself struck by Emma's dedication and intellect. She wasn't just helping him understand math; she was also sharing insights into her own struggles and triumphs in school. It was a side of Emma he hadn't seen before, vulnerable yet resilient.

"You know," Jason said, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "I never realized how much effort you put into everything you do."

Emma tilted her head, a curious expression in her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Jason shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I guess I always thought everything came easy to you. But seeing you work through these problems… It's inspiring."

Emma's cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked down at her notes. "Thanks, Jason. I will try my best."

Jason nodded thoughtfully. "It shows. You're really good at this."

They continued studying late into the afternoon, discussing math problems, sharing study tips, and occasionally veering into lighter topics like favorite movies and weekend plans. Jason found himself enjoying Emma's company more than he had expected. She wasn't just the school's top student and cheerleading captain; she was also someone he could talk to about anything.

By the end of their study session, Jason felt a newfound sense of respect and admiration for Emma. She wasn't just smart and talented; she was also kind-hearted and genuine, qualities he had overlooked in his quest for mischief and attention.

As they packed up their books, Emma smiled at him. "You did really well today, Jason. I'm proud of you."

Jason felt a rush of warmth at her praise. "Thanks, Emma. I couldn't have done it without you."