Electric Love (USC Series Book #3)

chapter one

ELECTRIC LOVE
~ ~ ~
LILLY

"Here is where, most of you, will spend the next four years of your life-on this campus, surrounded by one another..." the USC dean drones on at the very front of the enormous lecture hall.

North of two hundred students are being forced to sit shoulder-to-shoulder as we all listen to what they deem a motivational speech. It isn't. What is meant to ease my nerves about starting college has only succeeded in increasing them tenfold.

The dean continues to speak animatedly. Meanwhile, I attempt to hide my clammy hands to the best of my abilities and blatantly ignore him. Sitting up at the very back of this lecture hall puts into perspective the number of people in the freshmen class at USC. Every seat has been filled, and this isn't even all of them. School admin had to split the grade up into three groups, each roughly around.

I scan the crowd for what feels like the millionth time. There are no recognizable faces, the most unnerving part of starting here. When looking around, I accidentally make direct eye contact with a random guy a few rows in front. I avert my gaze right away and sink back into my seat, pretending my chipped nail polish is the most interesting thing at this moment.

I want this day to be over already. Unluckily, this is only the beginning. I still have to be given the keys to my dorm and meet my roommate, the part I am looking forward to the least. I really should've started moving in and settling last week, but I decided avoidance should be my best friend and forever unhelpful sidekick.

"... For those of you staying on campus in our dormitories, please meet in the courtyard. The rest of you, you are excused. Have a lovely day," the dean finishes, and slowly but surely students begin standing and exiting the stuffy lecture hall.

Five minutes pass before I can even walk down the stairs and leave the lecture hall. I release a long breath, hoping to steady my now-racing heart. I search around pathetically, despite knowing I won't see anyone I know. Once I reach the grassy courtyard, I stand away from the amount of people congregated together.

On the outskirts of the crowd of people, I notice another girl lingering away from everybody else, her stature as nonchalant as her persona. She leans against a tree, swiping on her phone as the wind blows through her afro of gorgeous, brunette curls. As if sensing my gaze, she looks up, right at me. I remain standing straight as if the pressure of this stranger's gaze isn't weighing on me like a thousand tonnes and glance away.

"You're a freshman," a voice states, and lo-and-behold, it is the curly-haired girl standing right beside me. Her tone comes across as matter-of-fact, like she doesn't need me to respond for her to know.

I clear my throat, shrugging the bag further up on my shoulder. "I am."

She leans against the tree behind me, her hand on my shoulder tugging me with her and shrouding us in the shade of the tree. "It isn't as scary as you might think." She shrugs. "Oh, I'm Nia, by the way."

"Lilly." I smile awkwardly, all rational thoughts escaping me as I try to think of something else to say. "I like your hair."

Nia laughs lightheartedly, her straight, pearly-white teeth only adding to her beauty. "Thanks. So, what are you doing at USC?"

"My brother goes here, and it's the closest school to where I grew up." As I talk, she stares at me, taking in every word I say with the utmost attention, like she is interested in whatever I have to say.

"Who's your brother? I might have heard of him."

"Aidan Brown."

"Doesn't ring a bell."