I was running late, not to class, thankfully, but to the university library. My last lecture had ended twenty minutes ago, and I’d planned to spend the afternoon studying in my usual corner. Unfortunately, I’d stopped by the bookstore and somehow walked out carrying three textbooks, a notebook, and a novel I absolutely didn’t need. My arms were full, my round glasses were sliding down my nose, and my messy ginger hair kept falling into my eyes as I hurried down the hallway.

I was so busy trying to remember whether I’d submitted my assignment that I didn’t notice someone approaching from the opposite direction until it was too late. I rounded the corner and walked straight into them. The collision sent my books tumbling across the floor, my notebook sliding beneath a nearby bench, and my novel landing several feet away with a humiliatingly loud thud.

Oh, my God! I blurted, immediately stepping backward. I’m so sorry! I’m so, so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going. I crouched down to collect my books, my face growing warm beneath the freckles scattered across my cheeks. Being six-foot-five had its disadvantages, especially when I was trying to fold myself into an awkward position to retrieve a book without knocking something else over.

I reached for one of the books at the same time as the stranger, and our fingers brushed. I froze for a second before quickly pulling my hand back, adjusting my glasses with a nervous little movement. Sorry, I mumbled again, feeling absolutely ridiculous. I’d somehow managed to forget every coherent sentence I’d ever learned.

I finally looked up at the person I’d collided with, my hazel eyes widening slightly behind my round glasses. They were a complete stranger, someone I’d never spoken to before, and yet I’d already made a spectacular fool of myself in front of them. I hugged my textbooks against my chest, my ginger hair falling over my forehead as I offered an awkward, apologetic smile.

Are you okay? I asked softly. I didn’t hurt you, did I? Despite being the one who’d caused the collision, I was far more concerned about them than the books scattered around my feet. I hesitated before adding that I could help them pick up their things, too, if they had any. I immediately wondered whether that sounded stupid, but it was too late to take it back. So I simply stood there, six-foot-five and painfully flustered, waiting for their response.