His Touch, My Burning Desire

AVA

The first day of college was supposed to be exciting - new classes, new faces, fresh start. Instead, it felt like I was drowning in a sea of strangers, lockers slamming, voices echoing, and every inch of the hallway packed tighter than a sardine can.

I clutched my schedule like a lifeline, trying to make sense of the map Zoe had shoved in my hand. "Left at the fountain, then straight to lecture hall B," she repeated for the third time, a mischievous grin playing on her lips.

"Got it," I mumbled, already feeling my heart hammer in my chest. I wasn't exactly the "social butterfly" type - more like a cautious moth, fluttering nervously in the glow of college life.

"Relax, Ava," Zoe said, nudging me forward. "First day jitters are normal. You'll be fine. Besides, you've got me."

I smiled at her, grateful. Zoe was the opposite of me - loud, fearless, the kind of person who walked into a room and owned it. I was... well, quieter. But today, I was determined to survive, maybe even enjoy.

As we rounded the corner near the lockers, a ripple passed through the crowd - subtle but electric. I followed the wave of stares until my eyes landed on him. Nathan.

He stood leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, posture casual but commanding. His dark eyes scanned the bustling hallway, cold and calculating, like a king surveying his kingdom. The kind of guy who made everyone else feel like they didn't belong.

Whispers floated around him - "genius," "billionaire's son," "too cool for school." But it wasn't the rumors that caught me off guard. It was the way he looked straight at me. Like he saw through the noise and chaos, right into the middle of my nervous heart.

Our eyes locked, and I swear time slowed - the chatter dimmed, footsteps faded, and all I could hear was the pounding of my own pulse.

Then he pushed off the lockers and walked toward me, every step deliberate.

"First day jitters?" His voice was low and smooth, a contrast to the chaos around us.

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden attention. "Yeah. You?"

He smiled - not a full smile, but enough to make my stomach flip. "Every year. Doesn't get easier."

Before I could say more, Zoe elbowed me playfully. "Hey, don't forget me when you're dating the mysterious Nathan Rivers."

I rolled my eyes, cheeks burning. Nathan glanced at Zoe, then back to me, his eyes narrowing just a little - curious, amused.

"I'm Nathan," he said, holding out a hand.

"Ava," I replied, shaking it, trying to keep my voice steady.

Just then, a tall guy with a crooked smile approached Nathan from behind. "Derek," Nathan introduced him quickly. Derek waved at me, easygoing and friendly - a perfect contrast to Nathaniel's ice-cold demeanor.

"So, Ava, what's your major?" Derek asked, grinning.

"Business," I said, suddenly feeling the weight of their attention.

"Nice," Derek said. "You're in for a wild ride."

"I can handle it," I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt.

Nathan stepped closer, lowering his voice. "College's not just about classes. Watch out for the parties. They're where the real lessons happen."

I raised an eyebrow. "You going to be my tour guide?"

He smirked. "Maybe. If you survive the first week."

Zoe laughed, tugging at my sleeve. "Come on, newbies. Let's find that lecture hall before we get lost."

As we walked away, I glanced back at Nathan. His eyes lingered on me longer than necessary, and I felt that same electric spark-like this wasn't just a first day. It was the beginning of something unforgettable.