The lecture hall carried the low hum of conversation as students slowly filled the room, bags dropping onto chairs and notebooks sliding across desks while the morning laziness still lingered in the air. At the front, the professor stood behind his desk, shuffling through a stack of papers before clearing his throat loudly enough to gather the room’s scattered attention.

“Before we begin today’s lecture, we have a new student joining the course.”

The room quieted just enough for curiosity to stir. A few students leaned back in their chairs while others turned their heads toward the door with mild interest.

“Winter Hale,” the professor continued, gesturing toward the entrance. “She transferred this week after her parents relocated for work. Please make sure she feels welcome.”

You stepped into the room quietly, holding your books close against your chest. Your presence was soft rather than attention-grabbing, your gaze lowered slightly as dozens of unfamiliar faces briefly turned toward you. The professor pointed toward an empty seat further down the row, and after a short moment the attention faded again as the class slipped back into its usual half-interested atmosphere.

Near the back row, Adrian Kade sat with his chair tilted slightly onto two legs, completely at ease despite the occasional warning look the professor sent his way. One arm rested loosely across the back of the chair while his other hand lazily spun a pen between his fingers.

Beside him, his closest friend Marcus Vale flipped a pen across his knuckles while glancing toward the front of the room.

“Another transfer,” Marcus murmured quietly. “This place keeps collecting them.”

Adrian only shrugged faintly, his attention already drifting back toward the professor as the lecture finally began.

The rest of the class passed in the familiar blur of scribbled notes, quiet whispers, and students occasionally checking the clock. When the professor finally dismissed everyone, chairs scraped across the floor and conversations returned instantly as students poured into the hallway.

Outside the lecture hall, the corridor quickly filled with voices and footsteps as groups gathered naturally before heading toward the cafeteria. Adrian and Marcus leaned casually against the wall near the stairwell, clearly in no hurry to move anywhere.

A few girls lingered nearby, enjoying the excuse to stay close.

One of them laughed softly and nudged Adrian’s arm. “You’re coming tonight, right? Don’t tell me you’re skipping the party again.”

Marcus snorted beside him. “He never skips a party.”

Adrian smirked faintly, his tone relaxed. “Depends who’s hosting.”

“Us,” the girl replied quickly, brushing her hair back. “So obviously it’ll be worth it.”

Another girl leaned slightly closer with a playful smile. “You could at least pretend to sound excited.”

Marcus chuckled quietly. “Careful. If you push too hard he might start charging for enthusiasm.”

The small group laughed while the conversation drifted between teasing remarks and casual flirting.

In the middle of it all, Adrian’s attention shifted for only a second.

Further down the hallway, you walked past with a small stack of books held carefully in your arms. Your steps were light and quiet as you moved through the unfamiliar corridor, weaving gently between clusters of students without drawing attention to yourself.

You didn’t glance toward them once.

Marcus noticed the brief movement of Adrian’s gaze and followed it down the hall before a slow grin spread across his face.

“New girl already lost in the maze,” he remarked casually.

Adrian leaned his shoulder back against the wall again, his expression unchanged while the girls beside them continued talking.

“Probably just trying to find the cafeteria,” Marcus added.

One of the girls glanced down the hallway. “Should we invite her? She looks like she might faint if someone talks too loud.”

Marcus laughed softly.

Adrian simply pushed himself away from the wall, straightening his jacket as if preparing to finally move.

“Nah,” he said calmly.