I walk across campus, taking in the sights and sounds around me. Everything looks so new, so different from what I'm used to. I can't help but feel a sense of hope that things are going to work out here for me this time.
As I make my way towards my class, I hear shouting coming from behind me.
I turn around to see what's happening, only to come face-to-face with the most gorgeous guy I've ever seen. He towers over me, muscular and imposing with piercing blue eyes that seem to bore right into me. He's definitely someone you don't want to mess with. His presence alone is enough to send shivers down my spine.
I try to walk around him, but he moves suddenly, and we slam against each other.
"Watch it," he growls, his voice low, rumbling.
I look up at him. He's tall, with broad shoulders and a confident stance. His dark hair is slicked back off his face, allowing me to make out his strong jawline.
"What are you looking at?" he hisses.
I flinch, glad he at least didn't add "freak" to the end of that question.
"I just want to get to class," I mumble as a bunch of other students come over.
I hurry away, but I can hear him say something to his friends, something I can't make out.
But I can hear them start to snicker.
As much as I tell myself not to look behind me, that's precisely what I do. Sure enough, they're laughing and pointing at me.
Shit! This is will not high school all over again!
Determined not to let him get under my skin, I continue on to my class, not acknowledging them at all. Screw them. I'm tougher than I look, and I'm not going to back down. I'm gonna stand my ground this time.
Until I can soar to new heights.
My mental pep talk has me smiling as I enter my classroom. I take an empty desk in the front row. Gradually, other students come in, taking the other desks until there's only one seat left, the one to my left, closer to the door.
And then who should walk in but Piercing Blue Eyes. He saunters in like he owns the place, and I swear he rolls his eyes when he realizes he has no choice but to sit next to me. Because there isn't a doubt that he recognizes me.
The professor starts talking and everyone starts to settle in, but I'm too distracted by the guy sitting next to me. I can feel his presence like a physical barrier, and it's all I can do not to turn around and look at him.
But eventually, I can't help but spot out of the corner of my eye that he's stealing glances in my direction. I pretend not to notice. He probably thinks I'm just another scared freshman who cowers away from him. Well, we'll see about that!
Every time our eyes meet, I feel a spark fly between us. It's electric and intense, terrifying and tantalizing all at once. I can sense his anger, his frustration that he has to be here today with me. I swear I'm not reading into it that his anger and frustration is directed at me, but why? You can't tell me that a simple bump that might not have even been my fault is the cause of all of this.
The corners of my mouth curl up as the bell rings and I get up to leave. He can think what he wants of me. I know one thing for sure. This is a start of something new, something exciting.
I start to leave when the professor, Professor Jameson, waves me over.
"Delana Crow," he says.
"Yes, sir."
"You're the only girl to have space science as your major."
"I hadn't realized that."
"Not even as a freshman. I mean at the university."
"Wow."
"Your grades in high school were impressive as was your admission essay. I expect great things from you."
I beam at him. "Thank you very much. I won't disappoint you."