**Chapter 1: New Beginnings**

Emilia stepped out of the taxi and onto the campus of Duke University, her eyes scanning the sprawling grounds with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She had worked hard to get here, and she was determined to make the most of this opportunity. As she grabbed her suitcase and followed the signs to her dorm, she couldn't help but feel a little out of place. Her worn-out sneakers and thrift store clothes stood out starkly against the backdrop of designer-clad students and gleaming buildings. As she entered her dorm room, her eyes widened in surprise. The room was larger than she had expected, with a comfy-looking bed, a desk, and a closet that seemed to rival her entire bedroom back home. But what really caught her attention was the guy lounging on the bed, his eyes fixed on his phone. "Hey, you must be Emilia," he said, not looking up. "I'm Lamelo. Your roommate, I guess." Emilia's cheeks flushed as she took in Melo's cocky demeanor and chiseled features. She had heard of him, of course - who hadn't? The NBA prospect with the charming smile and effortless charm. She felt a little intimidated, but she tried to play it cool. "Hey," she replied softly, setting down her suitcase. Melo looked up, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "So, Emilia, what's your story?" he asked, his voice friendly but not really interested. Emilia hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She wasn't really used to talking to people, especially not people like Melo. "I'm...from a small town," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. Melo nodded, his eyes drifting back to his phone. "Cool. I'm from Los Angeles. Born and raised." The two of them stood there for a moment, an awkward silence stretching between them. Emilia felt like she was going to suffocate under Melo's outgoing personality, like she was just a quiet, invisible wallflower. As the days went by, Emilia struggled to adjust to life at Duke. She felt like an outsider, like she didn't quite fit in with Melo's glamorous lifestyle or his friend group. They were all charming and confident, with their designer clothes and effortless charm. Emilia, on the other hand, felt like she was just pretending to be someone she wasn't. One day, Melo's friend group came over to the dorm room, laughing and joking with each other. Emilia tried to join in, but they barely acknowledged her presence. She felt like the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) of the group, the one who was only there to make them look better. As the group headed out to a party, Emilia declined to join them, feeling like she didn't belong. Melo offered to hang out with her instead, and Emilia gratefully accepted. As they spent the evening studying and laughing together, Emilia started to feel like she was finding her footing. But when Melo's friends came over later, trying to flirt with him and tease him about his basketball skills, Emilia tried to join in. They ignored her, barely even acknowledging her presence. Emilia felt embarrassed and left out, wondering if she would ever be able to break into Melo's social circle. As the night drew to a close, Emilia retreated to her bed, feeling like an outsider in her own life. But as she glanced over at Melo, who was smiling at her with genuine affection, she felt a spark of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she was going to make it through this after all.