chapter 1
778 Words
Chapter 1
The loud ringing of Emily Carter's alarm echoed through her bedroom at exactly 5:30 a.m.
She groaned softly before reaching for her phone.
"Today's the day," she whispered to herself.
She quickly sat up, her heart racing with excitement and nervousness. Today was her first day at St. Victoria University.
She walked to the window and pulled the curtains open. The golden sunrise painted the sky with shades of orange and pink. The city looked completely different from her small hometown. Cars filled the streets, people hurried to work, and life moved much faster than she was used to.
Emily smiled.
"This is really happening."
After taking a quick shower, she put on a pair of light-blue jeans, white sneakers, and a cream sweater. She tied her long brown hair into a neat ponytail before looking at herself in the mirror.
"You've got this," she encouraged herself.
A knock came from her dorm room door.
"Emily! Are you ready?" a cheerful voice called.
She opened the door to find her roommate standing there with a bright smile.
"I'm Olivia Bennett," the girl introduced herself. "Looks like we're roommates."
Emily smiled warmly.
"I'm Emily Carter."
Olivia was the complete opposite of Emily. She was confident, talkative, and full of energy.
"I've already gotten lost twice this morning," Olivia laughed. "Please tell me you know where we're going."
Emily laughed for the first time that morning.
"Not really."
"Great! We'll get lost together."
The two girls burst into laughter before leaving their dormitory.
---
The university campus was even more beautiful in daylight.
Students filled every corner.
Some sat on the green lawns reading books.
Others laughed loudly with their friends.
Music played softly from someone's speaker while birds flew between the tall oak trees.
Emily couldn't stop looking around.
"It feels like a movie," she whispered.
Olivia nodded.
"I know, right?"
As they walked toward the administration building, they suddenly heard engines roaring.
Several luxury cars entered the campus.
A black sports car stopped near the entrance.
Almost instantly, students began whispering.
"He's here."
"That's Alexander Hayes."
"The richest student on campus."
"I heard his family owns half the city."
Girls quickly fixed their hair while others secretly took pictures.
Emily frowned.
"Who's Alexander Hayes?"
Olivia leaned closer.
"Apparently he's the university's golden boy."
Emily shrugged.
"I don't really care."
She continued walking.
---
Inside the administration office, they collected their student cards and class schedules.
Emily looked at hers.
Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences
Room 204.
Building B.
She smiled proudly.
"This is the first step toward becoming a doctor."
After leaving the office, Olivia grabbed Emily's arm.
"I'm starving."
"There should be a café nearby."
They followed the signs until they reached the busy campus café.
The line was long.
Emily finally reached the counter.
"One vanilla latte and a blueberry muffin, please."
"Coming right up."
The cashier handed her the tray.
As Emily turned around...
Crash!
Coffee splashed across someone's expensive black jacket.
The café fell silent.
Emily froze.
"Oh no..."
Slowly, she looked up.
Standing in front of her was the same boy she had briefly met outside the previous day.
Tall.
Dark hair.
Piercing blue eyes.
Alexander Hayes.
His expression was unreadable as he glanced at the coffee dripping from his jacket before looking back at Emily.
She quickly grabbed napkins.
"I'm so sorry! It was an accident."
Alexander stepped back.
"You should pay attention."
Emily blinked.
"I said I'm sorry."
"And I said you should pay attention."
His cold voice irritated her.
She folded her arms.
"Maybe if you weren't standing in the middle of everyone's way, this wouldn't have happened."
A few students gasped.
Nobody spoke to Alexander like that.
One of his friends whispered, "She has no idea who she's talking to."
Alexander stared at Emily for a long moment.
Instead of arguing, he simply took the napkins from her hand.
"Interesting," he said quietly.
Then he turned and walked away.
Emily watched him leave.
"What a rude, arrogant guy."
Olivia's eyes were wide.
"Emily..."
"What?"
"You just argued with Alexander Hayes."
Emily picked up her muffin and shrugged.
"So?"
Olivia laughed nervously.
"I have a feeling this won't be the last time you two meet."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"I hope it is."
But somewhere across campus, Alexander glanced down at the student ID card Emily had accidentally dropped near the café entrance.
A small smile appeared on his face as he read the name.
Emily Carter.
"For someone so clumsy," he murmured, "she's surprisingly brave."
Neither of them realized that this was only the beginning. Their paths had crossed twice already, and fate wasn't finished bringing them together.
- Writer
