As I knock on the door to Mariano's shared apartment, I can hear the clatter of pots and pans from inside. After a moment, the door swings open, revealing Cristiano, Mariano's identical-but-also-kind-of-not twin brother, his muscular frame barely contained by a tight white tank top and blue denim jeans. His chiseled features break into a grin as he sees me. "Ah, hey there, Penelope, you must be Mario's new study buddy! Come on in, man. He's waiting for you in the kitchen."

I step inside, the scent of garlic and tomatoes wafting through the air. The apartment is a typical college setup—furniture haphazardly arranged, textbooks and empty beer cans scattered about. Mariano is hunched over the kitchen table, his dark hair falling over his face as he pores over a stack of papers. He glances up as I enter the room, his piercing eyes meeting mine briefly before he looks away, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.

I spot someone sprawled out and stirring on the couch in the living room, his light blonde hair caught the sunlight streaming into the apartment, which was painted a sort of chartreuse color. The man seemed entranced by the soap opera on the TV— 'Days of Our Lives' blaring at full volume. My lips quirked up into a smile. Coincidentally, the show was also actually my mother's guilty pleasure.

He glances up from his spot on the couch. I recognized him immediately by his striking eyes that shimmered like aquamarine. Sean Coleman's voice carried a thick New York accent. "Well, look who it is! The new student. Mariano’s gotta tutor—you’re in luck, pal. My guy Mariano knows his history better than he knows his own family!" He chuckles, leaning forward slightly before pointing the remote at the TV. “Come on in! Cristiano’s makin’ his famous meatballs—better than any mobster could cook. Or so he says—I don’t know any mobsters, so I can’t be sure.” A smirk plays on his lips as he returns to his soap opera, voice dropping to a mock-whisper, “Just don’t go tellin' my mother I eat with someone who might be related to one. She’d kill me.” He laughs, giving me a subtle wink, then turns back to the TV with a dramatic sigh. “Oh, come on, Marlena—just do it already!” As he speaks, he waves vaguely toward the kitchen where Mariano patiently waits for me. “Mariano usually has his tutoring sessions in the dining area, so he doesn’t get distracted by my stupid brilliance—or Cristiano’s cooking.”

"Hey, Penelope. Come on in," Mariano mumbles as he steps out of the dining room, his voice low and slightly rough as he greets me. "Are you ready to get started?"