The next morning, Lily woke up with a renewed sense of purpose. She quickly got ready, opting for a simple yet stylish outfit—a light blouse and a pair of jeans. After all, first impressions mattered, and this was her first official day navigating her classes.
The campus buzzed with activity, students walking briskly to their destinations, chatting in a symphony of languages. Lily held her map tightly, glancing between it and the signs that marked the grand halls and lecture rooms. She finally found the building where her first class was held and stepped inside, her heart pounding with anticipation.
---
The lecture hall was spacious and modern, with rows of seats that ascended in a semi-circular fashion. Lily scanned the room, amazed at how put-together everyone seemed. The students were effortlessly stylish, their hair gleaming and their expressions confident. She couldn't help but notice the boys—many of them tall, sharp-featured, and exuding a natural charm.
"Focus, Lily," she muttered to herself, shaking her head as she slid into a seat near the middle of the room. "You're here to study, not admire people."
Just as she settled in, the door at the front of the hall opened, and a young man walked in. Lily's breath caught.
He was tall—easily over six feet—with an athletic build and a casual elegance that turned heads as he made his way to the center of the room. His dark, slightly wavy hair was neatly styled, and his striking green eyes seemed to scan the crowd with ease. He carried himself with an air of authority, which was quickly confirmed when he spoke.
"Good morning, everyone," he began, his voice deep and melodic, carrying the distinct rhythm of an Italian accent. "I'm Nico Giovanni, your class representative. It's my job to ensure that we all stay connected and informed throughout the semester."
His English was fluent, but the slight accent added a layer of intrigue that seemed to make everyone sit up straighter. Lily, like many others, was captivated. She felt ridiculous for letting her thoughts wander like this but couldn't seem to help it.
---
Nico pulled out his phone and continued, "To make things easier, I'll be creating a group chat for our class. I'll need everyone's contact information, so I'll come around to collect it."
He stepped down from the podium and began weaving through the rows, stopping at each student to collect their phone numbers. As he approached Lily, her pulse quickened.
When he finally reached her, he smiled politely and extended his phone. "Hi. Your number, please?"
For a moment, Lily froze, her gaze fixed on his face. His features were sharp yet inviting, and his green eyes seemed even more vivid up close. His presence was overwhelming in the best way possible.
"Uh—yes, of course," she stammered, mentally scolding herself to act normal.
She took his phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she typed in her number. As she handed it back to him, she managed to meet his gaze, and he spoke again.
"Your name?" he asked, his voice as smooth as velvet.
"Lily Adams," she said quickly, her voice a little too loud.
He smiled faintly as he typed her name into his contacts. "Nice to meet you, Lily Adams. I'm Nico Giovanni."
The way he said her name made her heart skip a beat. She barely managed to return the sentiment, muttering a soft, "Nice to meet you too," before he moved on to the next person.
---
Lily sat back in her seat, gripping her notebook tightly. Her mind raced as she replayed the interaction over and over. She couldn't believe how flustered she had been.
"Pull yourself together, Lily," she whispered under her breath. "You're here for medicine, not for daydreaming about some ridiculously handsome guy."
But as the class began and the professor's voice filled the hall, she found it hard to focus. Nico Giovanni's deep voice, his dazzling smile, and the way he said her name lingered in her mind like a melody she couldn't shake.
It was going to be an interesting semester.