The party was already in full swing when James arrived.
Lights flashed across the room, music thundering through the speakers as laughter and voices blended into a chaotic rhythm. Freshers' Night was exactly what it was meant to be loud, reckless, alive.
Mat frowned as he stepped inside, hands shoved into his pockets.
"Why did you rush me over here?" he complained. "I told you guys I wasn't going out."
Edward laughed. "Yet here you are."
"Shut up," Mat muttered, scanning the room. "So where's your twin, James? I thought you two were inseparable."
James turned toward them, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
"Guess what."
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Yo what? That was fast."
Mat's expression darkened. "This is getting out of hand, man. Seriously."
Edward sighed. "I thought you two would last at least two months." He looked between James and Daniel. "You should really start taking things seriously. And you, Daniel have you really fallen for Emma? It's almost been a year since you started dating."
Mat blinked. "Wait are you saying they should break up?"
Daniel scoffed. "Whatever."
He stood abruptly and walked toward the freshmen gathered near the center of the room.
Mat watched him go. "What's he doing? Should we join too?"
James shook his head. "Count me out."
Edward smirked. "Come on. We came here to have fun, remember?"
Before James could refuse again, Edward grabbed his arm and dragged him along. They dropped onto the couch beside a group of first-year students.
Mat waved casually. "Hey."
A girl with short hair smiled brightly. "Hi. You must be our sunbaes."
"Yes," Mat replied. "Are you guys having fun?"
"Yeah!" another girl said enthusiastically.
Eyes drifted toward James almost immediately.
Under the lights, he looked unreal pale skin, sharp features, calm confidence. Like an angel who didn't belong among humans.
Across the room, Hazel sat beside Daniel.
She was the only one not trying to impress anyone, quietly listening while holding her drink. Daniel leaned closer, curiosity clear in his expression.
"Hello," he said in English.
Hazel looked up, surprised.
"How are you?" Daniel continued. "Where are you from?"
She blinked, then smiled politely. "I'm fine. And I understand Korean."
Daniel's eyes widened. "Omo that's amazing! How are you so fluent?"
"Well," Hazel replied, "I'm from the United States."
She smiled again soft, controlled.
"Oh, wow," Daniel said. "I'm Daniel. A finalist—and your senior."
Hazel poured him a drink. "Thank you, sunbae."
From across the room, James's gaze locked onto them.
"So," he murmured, surrounded by girls who laughed too loudly, "looks like it's going well over there."
Daniel soon rejoined them, excitement clear in his voice.
"You won't believe how fluent she is in Korean even though she's Black American."
Mat nodded approvingly. "She looks more brown, actually." He grinned. "I really like her skin."
Hazel stiffened slightly, discomfort flickering across her face.
James stood and approached.
"I'm James," he said smoothly. "Nice to meet you."
Hazel met his eyes briefly. "I'm Hazel. Nice to meet you, sunbae."
James poured her a drink, his movements slow, deliberate.
Edward leaned in. "So how did you become fluent in Korean?"
Hazel shrugged lightly. "I was born in the U.S., but I always wanted to come here. I studied the language and culture a lot."
"You must be a fast learner," Daniel said.
Hazel shook her head. "Not really. I'm still learning."
Mat laughed. "Then why did you choose Korea?"
"Hey," Daniel cut in. "Shut up—you're scaring this pretty face."
Mat ignored him. "I really want to touch her hair. It's so curly."
To everyone's surprise, Hazel leaned forward slightly, allowing him to.
Mat's eyes lit up. "Wow. It's really soft."
A few girls nearby exchanged jealous looks.
James didn't look away once.
Edward leaned closer to him and whispered, "What she your next target?"
James smirked.
But something in his eyes was different this time.
Because Hazel wasn't looking at him the way the others did.
And that unsettled him more than he wanted to admit.