It was nearing midterms for Tegan. Why she decided to take 19 credits as an incoming Freshman, she still ponders, as every waking moment she now stressed over how low of a score she could get on her exams, all the while still maintaining an oh so average C. For the most part though, she was loving the campus and faculty at her university, but was quite shocked how routine it all felt, well, with the exception of one class, that is.

The decision for her to go off and get a further education was baffling to her parents, as they suspected once she graduated high school, she would be off experiencing the world with her hand-me-down guitar. Her mother was quite liberal with her upraising, letting her wear whatever felt comfortable with, and never critiquing her for not fitting in. In fact, she almost encouraged it, bringing Tegan and Jeremy, Tegan's childhood best friend, as well as middle school boyfriend, to numerous Smashing Pumpkin's concerts and disregarding the disheveled state the teens would be in when they returned.

But back to Tegan's current situation. Tegan R. Quin, very well may be finally figuring what she wants to do with her life. Never in her 19 years of life on this earth had she felt so strongly about yearning for the discussions and topics discoursed in one of her classes. Ironically, her interest in the class may have been her saving grace, as she sat at a comfortable 96% before taking her exam. She was not trying to press her luck with her other classes though, and decided that a responsible and forthright student would get together with others to see how else they could wrap their head around Physics, if that was even possible.

As she walked into the 4th Street Bean, the college's beloved coffee shop, she heard the radiant laughter of Lindsey Byrnes, Emy Storey, and Hunter Burgan, as Ted finished his joke.

"Well… don't mess with Papa Ted when he's been drinking!"

"Hey Tegan!" Lindsey screamed out across the shop, ignoring the sharp looks she got from all the other students trying to study.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm so late, I got wrapped up in one Clement's lectures and had to talk to her about the marks she gave me on my last quiz."

"Ohhh…. we all see how it is, disregard us as you swoon over some 20-something TA to boost your grade. Sorry some of us actually have to work for our marks." Hunter always gave Tegan crap about her sudden interest in English, and more specifically, her sudden infatuation with the TA currently teaching the class.

"Shut up, it's not like that." She blushed as she made eye contact with Lindsey, and quickly ducked her head as she used the excuse of taking off her scarf and jacket to hide her embarrassment

"So tell us Teegs, how goes the ever so simple study of physics there," Emy ever so helpfully changed the subject.

"Gosh, it's like math is good, science is alright, but you put them both together and my mind combusts. I should have taken the easy way out and taken Weather and Climate, but no, had to be a show off and take the hardest course with the grouchiest professor my first semester here." Tegan finally settled into her seat, purposefully sitting next to Lindsey and brushing her thigh as she scooted into the bench.

"On that note, gotta get back to business, before I head back, do you want anything Tegan?" Ted questioned as he returned back to his normal duties of running his coffee shop.

Tegan nodded her and gave him her order. The group of friends meandered around the actual purpose of their meetup until someone noted they only had a half hour left to study. They quickly decided that they would pair up and go over the trickiest topics for each person, rather than all of them squabble over why certain equations didn't add up. Tegan was grateful Lindsey was helpful with teaching her these topics, and not just someone to ogle at. Every now and then when Tegan would point to certain equations in the book laid out of the table, Lindsey would graze her hand as she "clarified" what exactly Tegan was pointing out. Everyone in the group knew Tegan had some interest in Lindsey, and all enjoyed mocking how obvious she was about her feelings.

As Lindsey left, Tegan and all the others said their goodbyes. They quickly returned their looks to Tegan and instantly called her out on her not so hidden looks of desire.

"Just ask her out already, otherwise I'll do it for you!" Emy was not shy about her frustration with the two girls at hand. "If someone eyed me up and down for an hour, you better believe I would be acting on that shit, not just getting all hot under the collar and ignoring it. Grow a spine, woman!"

"She's not even gay, how many times do I have to tell you guys that! She's still seeing some guy from back home anyways, I'm not going to get in-between that, both for my sake and hers," Tegan replied.

"She has a point, Tegan. Honestly, that girl is into you, no matter how straight she says she is. You don't have to act on it like little Ms. Storey over here is implying, but clear the air with her. It's damn near painful for all of us to sit here and watch it.

"Gah, alright, but chill, I honestly barely know her. I'm lucky she even showed up to this and sat here with you two. She's so smart, and half the stuff she tries explaining to me goes right over my head. I doubt she would even go for someone like me."

"Hey you guys, are you still up for preforming at that open mic later this week," Ted aimed the question at Tegan and Hunter, interrupting the argument at hand.

"Sure, dude, at this point any exposure would be good." Initially Hunter's reaction to playing for free at a local coffee shop was not warmly welcomed, but Tegan reminded him that they needed to start somewhere.

Tegan and Hunter casually stuck up a conversation one day in their Physics class about their shared interest in music, noting they both played instruments; Tegan the guitar and piano, and Hunter the bass. They also discovered their mutual obsession over Against Me, and other punk bands. They were currently in the process of recording original songs, but have only actually preformed once prior to this invitation. Emy was also used in their creative outlet, as they requested her to make a cover photo for their eventual release of the E.P they were making.

"See you guys tomorrow in class, if I don't talk to you both before the exam, good luck!" Tegan bundled herself up and she returned back to her dorm. Was Tegan entirely prepared for this exam? Hell no, but she calculated all she needed on the exam was an 70% to maintain her C+, and she will be damned if she does not get it.