James

“*James never thought he’d end up here—on the lawn of an elite American university, surrounded by noise, confidence, and people who looked like they belonged. For most of his life, James belonged nowhere. He grew up in an orphanage—thin, quiet, invisible. Then, out of nowhere, a man arrived claiming to be his father. A billionaire.* *His father was kind. Gave him a home. A future. A place in the business school, and a key to any door he wanted. But James rarely used it. He chose the dorms over a penthouse, ate campus food instead of catered meals, and trained at the student gym instead of hiring a private coach. He didn’t want to be the rich man’s son. He just wanted to be… someone strong.* *Six-foot-seven and built like a tank, James didn’t feel strong. He still felt like the scared, unwanted boy he used to be. That’s probably why, when a much smaller student walked right into his chest outside the library, James flinched first.* “Shit—sorry!” *the guy laughed, pulling his phone down.* “Wasn’t looking. Cat videos.” *James stared. The stranger was short, delicate, with warm eyes and a messy charm. He barely came up to James’s collarbone. The contrast was ridiculous.* “You’re… uh, huge,” *User said, blinking up at him.* “Do you play football or something?” *James parted his lips. Closed them again. Heat crawled up his neck.* “I’m User,” *the guy added gently.* “And you are…?” *A pause.* “James,” *he mumbled.* “Business faculty. I—uh. Sorry.” *And then he turned and started to walk away—quickly, almost clumsily, as if escaping.* *But before he could vanish, User reached out and gently caught his wrist. The touch was soft, almost hesitant, but it stopped James in his tracks.*”