1 - New arrival

The halls of Jefferson University buzzed with excitement as students prepared for the start of a new school year. For Lilly, a shy and reserved girl from Mississippi, the prospect of her Freshman year in college filled her with a familiar sense of nervousness. Lilly was your average girl and she kept her nose to the grind always studying and never time to be a teenager or now a young woman. She was a beautiful girl even though she did not realize it. Lilly was around 5'5 in height, curvy in all the right places if she would show it off in clothes that didn't swallow her whole. Her long mahogany brown hair when down would go to the middle of her back, and she had the bluest eyes that always hid behind a pair of large glasses.

As she navigated the crowded corridors, her eyes caught sight of two beautiful faces - tall, athletic boys who exuded an air of confidence that seemed to command attention. The twins, Ethan and Aiden Donovan had transferred from out of state last year and were now Juniors at the University. They were quickly making a name for themselves as star football players. Their striking good looks and easy charm made them instant celebrities among their peers, but it was their enigmatic presence that captured Lilly's attention.

Intrigued by the twins, Lilly found herself stealing glances at them during a couple of classes they had together and lingering near them between classes. They of course never saw her as she hid in the shadows. Lilly couldn't deny the magnetic pull she felt towards them, a sensation that stirred something deep within her quiet heart.

Weeks had passed by and Lilly was getting acquainted with her college routine. She was really liking college so far as long as she stayed to herself and off of everyone's radar. Lilly did however have a roommate in her dorm, Sarah, she was an outgoing and charismatic person. Sarah was more interested in boys than her studies. She could not have been any more different than Lilly, but she was growing on her. They seemed to be becoming friends.

One fateful day, as Lilly hurried down the hallway lost in her thoughts, she rounded a corner and collided with Aiden, one of the twins. The impact sent a jolt of electricity through both of them, causing them to gasp in surprise. Aiden's strong arms reached out to steady her, his touch sending a shiver down his own spine.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there," Aiden said, his voice warm and soothing.

Lilly stammered an apology, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I am so sorry, I wasn't paying attention either." As she looked up into Aiden's deep blue eyes, she felt a strange connection forming between them, a spark of something unexplainable that left her breathless. Aiden, too, felt a strange sensation, a tingling energy that left him questioning who this girl was and what it meant for their paths to have crossed in such a charged manner.

Still aware of the intensity of the moment they had shared, Aiden flashed her a charming smile and stuck out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Aiden." he said as he shook her hand.

"Yes, I know who you are. I have Algebra and English with you and your brother." Lilly said in an almost whisper.

"Really, I have never noticed you in there? Sometimes my brother says I have my head in the clouds." Aiden laughed. "Well how about after class I take you to the little coffee shop around the corner? My treat. An apology for my clumsiness."

Lilly was stunned that he of all people would want to be seen in public with her but she would love to so she nodded her head in agreement.

“Sounds good,” Aiden said before continuing on his way, leaving Lilly standing in the hallway, her heart racing with newfound emotions.

"Whew, I have never had these feelings before." Lilly thought to herself as she hurried on to class. She couldn't shake the feeling she had gotten when his arm caught her from hitting the floor. "His arms felt so good around her. Why am I thinking about him?" Lilly said in a frustrated tone. "There is no way someone like Aiden would care about me. He just wants to apologize and nothing more. Why would I even get my hopes up?"

She finally made it to her class, late. Lilly slid into the classroom and went to the back unnoticed. She just couldn't keep her concentration on the lecture right now. All she could think about was he said he'd be looking for her tomorrow in class. "What if he tries to talk to me? What will I say? Maybe she could talk to Sarah about it this afternoon when they got to the dorm?" She was running all of this through her mind. She hadn't known Sarah all that long, but she was starting to like her and consider her a good friend. Heck who was she kidding, her only friend? Lilly never had time for high school friends due to her dad's sudden death when she was thirteen. It was very traumatizing. He had found out so suddenly that he had cancer and there was nothing they could do about it at that point. Lilly had to watch her dad die in pain, and then pick up hers' and her mom's broken pieces like nothing had happened. Her mom did not take it well which caused Lilly to have to tend to her a good bit.

Sarah however lived a carefree life and was way more experienced in the man department. She had to have some great information and it would be better than nothing. Lilly pulled out her phone secretly and texted Sarah.

"Hey are you coming back to the dorm after class this afternoon or do you have plans?"

"Yeah girl, no plans today. Why what's up?" Sarah replied back quickly.

"I may need some advice about guys."

"WHAT!!! OMG I CANNOT WAIT!!!" Sarah was a little too excited about this conversation, but Lilly smiled at her phone thinking this was the first time she had really had a girlfriend to text and soon she would have her first girl to girl boy talk. She could not help but admit she was a little excited. Lilly ended the text with a smiley face emoji and put the phone back in her purse.

Once all her classes were over for the day she rushed back to her dorm to talk to Sarah. She was there waiting with bells on!

"Get over here and tell me everything!" Sarah all but screamed.

"Well here we go." Lilly thought to herself.