The cafeteria buzzed with noise, voices overlapping as students filled nearly every table.
Mark, Jessie, and I sat at a corner table, slightly away from the crowd.
"…and then he actually believed me," Mark said, laughing.
"You're terrible," Jessie shook her head, though she was smiling.Across the room—
Across the room—
As always—
They stood out.
The leads.
Even without trying, they drew attention.
Students glanced their way, whispers passing between tables.
'Looks like you're finally adjusting."
"Maybe," I murmured.
At that moment—
Lily looked over.
Her gaze landed on me.
Not casual.
Not indifferent.
Something else.
A slight crease formed between her brows, her eyes narrowing just a fraction—
as if something didn't quite make sense.
But I didn't notice, I was still smiling faintly.
And a second later—
She looked away.
=. =. =. =. =. =. =. =.
When I finally got back to my dorm after a long day—and successfully managed to avoid the main leads—I let out a quiet breath.
Crouching down, I leaned against the door, grounding myself.
For the first time since I arrived here…
It felt a little calm.Just yesterday, I had woken up here in a panic.
Everything had felt overwhelming.
Unreal.
I still didn't remember how I got here.
And somehow…
that bothered me more than anything else.
My memories felt hazy.
Especially the ones from home.My stomach growled suddenly.
Right…
I had skipped lunch.
The only thing I'd eaten today was breakfast—with Mark and Jessie.
Dinner would be served later, but—
I wanted something more.
Something warm
So I stepped out toward the store near campus.
But after checking—
I had no cash.
A quiet sigh escaped me.
Looks like I'd need to find a part-time job.
The cold wind brushed past me as I walked, pulling my thoughts back into focus.
If I wanted to survive here…
I'd have to manage on my own.
.====================
Back at the mansion
Samuel sat cross-legged on the floor, completely focused, controller in hand.
"—wait, wait—don't distract me," he muttered.
"You're losing anyway."
Alex's voice came lazily from the couch as he scrolled through his phone.
"I am not—"
Samuel's protest was cut short as his character lost."…You distracted me."
"Skill issue."
Before the argument could continue—
The front door burst open.
A young boy rushed in, slightly out of breath, a ball still in his hand.
Did he come back?"
Alex didn't look up.
"Not yet."
Felix clicked his tongue softly, clearly annoyed.
Soft footsteps echoed from the staircase.Zara descended, her expression brightening the moment she noticed him.
"You're back," she said warmly.
Felix nodded.
"Yeah."
She reached out, fixing his messy hair with a small sigh.At least try to look presentable when you come in."
Before anything else could be said—
The front door opened again.
Zara didn't even wait.
"Bhai—!"She rushed forward, throwing her arms around the man who had just stepped in.
Shion.
He barely had time to react before catching her instinctively, letting out a quiet chuckle.
"You're still doing this?" he said, patting her head lightly.
"Of course I am," Zara replied without hesitation.
Behind them—
Ryan entered right after.
Unlike Shion, there was no warmth in his arrival.
Just a quiet, heavy presence.
Samuel straightened slightly.
Alex finally put his phone down.
Even Felix went still for a moment.
"Back?" Zara asked, pulling away from her brother.
Ryan gave a small nod, setting his keys aside.
His expression remained calm, composed—but his eyes were sharp.
"Long day?" Samuel asked.
"Work," Ryan replied shortly.Felix stepped forward immediately.
"Did you find someone?"
Ryan glanced at him.
"For the tutoring," Felix added quickly.
A pause.
"I'll handle it," Ryan said.
Felix frowned slightly.
"That's what you said yesterday"
Shion let out a small laugh, stepping in casually.
"Give him a break," he said, ruffling Felix's hair.
"He just got back."
Felix muttered something under his breath but stepped back anyway.
Zara glanced between them before speaking lightly—
"They've probably set the table by now."
Ryan gave a slight nod and walked past them without another word.
The moment he left—
The tension eased.
"…He gets scarier every time," Samuel muttered.
Alex smirked faintly.
"You just haven't gotten used to it."
Upstairs—
Ryan stood by the window, loosening his tie.
His thoughts drifted.To the principal's office.
Lily.
Her trembling fingers.
Her nervous expression.
The way she couldn't meet his eyes.
He frowned.
It should have meant something.
Something cliché.
Love at first sight.
But_
It didn't.
Instead—
It felt off.
Forced.
As if something about it wasn't real.
His grip tightened slightly.
And that—
more than anything—
bothered him.