Episode 6: Freshman Struggles

Hello Little One

Episode 6: Freshman Struggles

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The Great Struggle: Math 101

Ivy’s forehead was practically glued to the desk, her notebook a mess of scribbled numbers, arrows, and tiny frustrated doodles of stick figures falling into a pit of doom.

“I hate this,” she muttered, tapping her pencil against her temple. “I actually, physically, spiritually hate this.”

Across from her, Camila snorted. “You’re being dramatic. It’s just basic algebra.”

“It’s advanced algebra,” Ivy shot back, sitting up and running a hand through her hair. “I swear, this class is trying to kill me.”

Lila, who was lazily scrolling through her phone beside them, peeked over. “You know, I’m starting to think Ivy might actually be allergic to numbers.”

Camila nodded sagely. “A tragic condition.”

“Very tragic.”

Ivy groaned, shoving her textbook aside. “I can’t do this. My brain is refusing to function.”

“Need some help, Little One?”

At the sound of that voice, Ivy stiffened.

She turned slowly to see Elena leaning casually against the library bookshelf, arms crossed, that usual smirk playing on her lips.

Ivy narrowed her eyes. “Did you appear out of thin air just to make fun of me?”

Elena chuckled, stepping forward and pulling out a chair. “No, I was already here, studying for my own classes like a responsible student.” She gave Ivy an exaggerated once-over. “Unlike someone who looks like they’ve just been personally betrayed by a math problem.”

Ivy huffed. “This is serious, Elena. If I fail this class, my GPA will crash, my parents will kill me, and I’ll have to drop out and become a hermit in the woods.”

Elena’s smirk widened. “Dramatic and adorable. You’re really outdoing yourself today, Little One.”

Ivy’s face burned.

Camila and Lila exchanged amused glances.

“She’s got it bad,” Lila muttered under her breath.

Camila snickered. “Oh, definitely.”

Ivy whipped her head toward them. “I heard that!”

Elena merely pulled Ivy’s abandoned textbook toward her. “Alright, what are you struggling with?”

Ivy groaned. “All of it.”

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Elena, The Surprisingly Good Tutor

Despite her teasing nature, Elena was shockingly patient. She explained things in a way that actually made sense, breaking down formulas and guiding Ivy through the problems step by step.

Ivy, to her own disbelief, actually started to get it.

“So if X is negative, you flip the inequality sign?” Ivy asked, scribbling in her notebook.

“Exactly,” Elena nodded. “You’re catching on, Little One.”

Ivy blinked at her own work, a small, satisfied smile tugging at her lips. “Huh. That… that actually makes sense.”

Elena smirked. “Wow, look at you. A future mathematician in the making.”

Ivy snorted. “Okay, let’s not get crazy.”

As they continued working, Lila and Camila watched from the sidelines, growing increasingly entertained.

At one point, Lila leaned over to Camila and whispered, “She’s totally got a soft spot for Ivy.”

Camila grinned. “Oh, no question.”

Elena looked up, unimpressed. “I can hear you two, you know.”

Lila batted her lashes innocently. “We’re just observing the undeniable chemistry happening in front of us.”

Ivy, who had just taken a sip of water, choked.

Elena arched a brow. “Is that so?”

Camila nodded solemnly. “Mm-hmm. I mean, look at you—offering private tutoring, giving her cute nicknames—”

“I hate you both,” Ivy mumbled, face burning.

Elena smirked at her reaction but didn’t deny the teasing.

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After another hour of math, Ivy’s brain officially hit its limit.

Elena noticed before Ivy could even say anything.

“Alright,” she said, closing the textbook. “That’s enough numbers for today.”

Ivy sighed dramatically. “Thank god.”

Camila stretched. “So, what now? Pizza run?”

Lila hummed. “Oooor, we could do something actually relaxing.” She nudged Ivy. “Elena, did you tell her about your study break secret?”

Ivy blinked. “Her what?”

Elena shot Lila an unimpressed look but eventually sighed. “Come on, Little One. I’ll show you.”

Ivy followed Elena out of the library, trailing after her through the campus pathways until they reached a familiar spot—the quiet garden where they’d meditated before.

But this time, Elena didn’t sit. Instead, she walked toward a low-hanging tree branch and climbed up with the ease of someone who had done it a thousand times.

Ivy gawked. “Wait—what—are you seriously climbing a tree right now?”

Elena perched on a thick branch and smirked down at her. “What? Scared?”

Ivy scowled. “No! But—” She looked up at the tree, then back at Elena. “…Do I have to?”

Elena patted the branch beside her. “It’s a great way to reset your brain.”

Ivy narrowed her eyes but, after a long moment, huffed and started climbing.

She was not graceful about it.

At one point, she slipped, and Elena caught her wrist, steadying her with an amused look.

“Careful, Little One,” she murmured, her hand lingering for just a second too long.

Ivy’s breath hitched, but she quickly shook it off and scrambled up onto the branch beside Elena.

She sat, gripping the tree trunk, looking out over the garden from this new height. The world felt quieter up here.

“…Okay,” Ivy admitted, “this is kinda nice.”

Elena smirked. “Told you.”

They sat there in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sun begin to set.

Ivy glanced at Elena from the corner of her eye. “So, is this what you do when you’re stressed?”

Elena hummed. “That, or I mess with you.”

Ivy rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

Elena chuckled, then nudged Ivy’s knee with her own. “But seriously… you did good today. You’re smarter than you give yourself credit for.”

Ivy felt warmth bloom in her chest. “…Thanks.”

And for a moment, there was no teasing, no jokes. Just them.

Sitting in a tree.

Sharing a quiet moment.

And maybe, just maybe… Ivy didn’t hate math as much as she thought.

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