Lily Thompson stood at the entrance of the grand, sprawling campus of Hamilton University, her eyes wide with awe. Coming from a small village, the towering buildings and the bustling crowd were overwhelming. But the dream of becoming an electrical engineer kept her feet moving forward. Her parents had sacrificed so much to make this possible, and she was determined not to let them down. 

Her first class was physics, and she arrived early, wanting to make a good impression. As she entered the lecture hall, she noticed a few students scattered around, none of whom seemed to pay her any attention. She found a seat near the front and started revising her notes. 

Across the room, James Hamilton sauntered in, radiating an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. He was everything Lily wasn’t—rich, spoiled, and utterly disinterested in his studies. As the sole heir to his family's worldwide business empire, he saw no point in being here, except for his mother's insistence that he become an electrical engineer. 

James spotted Lily immediately. She was different from the other girls—sweet, fragile, and radiating a natural beauty that was impossible to ignore. His curiosity piqued, he decided to sit near her, a smirk playing on his lips. 

“Why are you studying so hard? The test is next week sweet heart,” James remarked casually, leaning back in his chair. 

Lily looked up, startled. “It's today, you idiot,” she replied, her tone gentle but firm. 

James blinked in surprise, then laughed. “Guess I missed that memo. Well, since you’re so prepared, how about you help me out?” 

Lily hesitated. She had been taught to be polite, and there was something about James's confident yet clueless demeanor that made her smile. “Alright, but you have to pay attention.” 

As she explained the concepts to him, James found himself mesmerized not by the lesson but by Lily herself. Her passion for learning was infectious, and he couldn’t help but admire her determination. 

Their study session was interrupted when Emma Parker, Lily’s best friend, appeared. “Lily, we need to talk!” she said, dragging her towards the door. “It's about the project.” 

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James watched them leave, feeling an unfamiliar sense of happiness. For the first time, he felt like he had found something—or rather someone—worth his time at this college. 

As Lily walked away with Emma, she glanced back at James, her heart pounding slightly. There was something about him that intrigued her, despite his obvious flaws. She shook her head, focusing back on Emma's urgent whispers about their project. 

Later that day, Lily and Emma were in the library, working on their project. Emma, ever the jokester, decided to lighten the mood. “So, did you notice how James was staring at you? I thought he was going to drool all over his designer shirt.” 

Lily laughed, her cheeks turning pink. “He’s just a spoiled brat. He probably stares at every girl like that.” 

Emma raised an eyebrow. “Oh, come on. You have to admit, he’s kind of cute in that annoying, rich boy way.” 

Before Lily could respond, James walked into the library, looking around until he spotted them. He made a beeline for their table, a playful grin on his face. “Hey, tutor. I think I need some more help.” 

Emma nudged Lily under the table, whispering, “Looks like Prince Charming is back for more.” 

Lily rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. “What do you need help with now, James?” 

James pulled up a chair, sitting far too close for comfort. “Everything. I’m a lost cause without you.” 

Emma, seizing the opportunity for some fun, chimed in. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. Lily’s the best tutor in the universe. But she charges in snacks. Hope you brought some.” 

James laughed, reaching into his bag and pulling out an assortment of snacks. “I come prepared. What’s your favorite?” 

Lily couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of James Hamilton, heir to a fortune, offering her snacks like a schoolboy. “Alright, let’s get to work.” 

As they dove into the books, James couldn’t help but make exaggerated, confused faces at the material, causing Lily and Emma to burst into laughter several times. By the end of the session, Lily’s sides hurt from laughing so much. 

As they packed up, James gave Lily a genuine smile. “Thanks for the help. And the laughs.” 

Lily smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. Maybe there was more to James than she initially thought. 

And thus, the first chapter of their story began, with two lives colliding in the most unexpected and humorous way.