CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - *ACADEMIC STRUGGLES

Anna glanced at Erik, noticing the way his grip tightened on the steering wheel. "You seem tense," she observed. Erik let out a small chuckle. "Is it that obvious?" "A little," Anna admitted. "Is everything okay?" Erik was quiet for a moment, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Do you ever feel like... like the world expects too much from you?" Anna raised an eyebrow. "Me? I'm just a college student working as a waitress. I don't think the world expects much from me at all." "Maybe that's a blessing," Erik mused. "Every decision I make, every move... it's scrutinized. The pressure of wealth and power... it's not always what it's cracked up to be." Anna studied his profile, seeing a vulnerability she hadn't noticed before. "I can't imagine what that's like," she said softly. "But it sounds... lonely." Erik's eyes met hers briefly. "It can be. That's why nights like tonight... they're a breath of fresh air. Being around someone who doesn't have any expectations... it's refreshing."