It was the lunch break
The lecture hall doors slammed shut behind them with a hollow echo.
None of them spoke.
Students streamed past, laughing, complaining about assignments, already moving on with their day but for the three of them, the air felt thick, heavy, like something unseen had settled on their shoulders.
Leonel walked ahead, jaw tight, fists clenched at his sides. Every step he took looked restrained, like he was holding himself back from turning around and storming straight into Lucian's face. His shoulders were rigid, his posture screaming fury barely leashed.
Aiden walked beside Elliot, quieter than usual.
Too quiet.
His eyes flicked toward Elliot again and again, catching the way Elliot's hands trembled slightly, the way his breathing was shallow, uneven. The way his gaze kept drifting not really seeing anything.
"Elliot," Aiden murmured finally, lowering his voice. "Hey. You with us?"
