Elara trudged through the crowded hallway, her mind still swirling with numbers and symbols from the math lecture. She felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her chest, knowing that she had a long semester ahead filled with equations and concepts that seemed to dance just out of her reach.

As she turned the corner, she almost collided with a tall, bespectacled figure who was hastily flipping through a thick textbook. "Oh, sorry!" Elara mumbled, stepping back.

The stranger looked up, his eyes widening in recognition. "Oh, no problem at all. Are you coming from the math lecture too?"

Elara nodded, feeling a flicker of surprise at the genuine interest in the stranger's voice. "Yeah, it was... challenging."

The stranger smiled warmly. "I'm Alex, by the way. I'm a math major, and I couldn't help but notice that you seemed a bit lost in there. Do you need any help with the material?"

Elara hesitated, caught off guard by Alex's offer. She had never been one to seek help, preferring to struggle on her own rather than admit defeat. But something in Alex's demeanor put her at ease, a sense of genuine kindness that she found herself drawn to.

"Actually, that would be great," Elara admitted, a hint of relief in her voice. "I'm Elara, and math has never been my strong suit."

Alex chuckled, a sound that was surprisingly comforting. "Well, Elara, I'm here to change that. How about we meet up before the next lecture? I can help break down some of the concepts for you."

And just like that, a glimmer of hope sparked in Elara's heart. Maybe, with Alex's guidance, she could finally make sense of the numbers that had always seemed like a foreign language to her. She thanked him profusely and agreed to meet before the next class.

As Elara walked away, a newfound sense of determination filled her. She had never expected to find help in the midst of her math struggles, but sometimes, unexpected allies appeared when you needed them most. With Alex's support, maybe, just maybe, she could conquer calculus and prove to herself that she was capable of more than she ever imagined.