As they left the dorm, students were already scattered across the hall, some whispering, some staring. Adrien noticed it, he always did but he didn't care.

Angelo, looked nervous. His eyes darted from one pair of staring students to the next.

The campus was split like a pulse, each department with its own unique vibe.

"Which way are you going?"

"Department of Literature," Angelo muttered, brushing back his messy curls.

Adrien raised a brow. "Figures. Little angel boy who writes sad poems and survives off cappuccino."

Angelo elbowed him. "Says the architectural sketch god."

They paused at the split walkway where the central fountain gurgled with water.

Students passed, the air filled with perfume, books, and the scent of early morning pastries from the food cart nearby.

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN**

The building beyond was all steel, glass, and spiraling vines. Students carried tubes of blueprints and sketchpads; the vibe screamed creativity and cold ambition.

Suddenly, Scarlett Monroe appeared like the witch she's

In nude heels and a body-hugging wine-red dress, which displayed her creamy boobs. She caught Adrien's arm with a fake surprised gasp. "Adrien? You're early today. Are you, like, stalking me again?" She giggled.

Adrien groaned under his breath. "You're not that special."

Scarlett leaned closer, flipping her hair. "Don't be like that, babe. We used to have so much fun... especially when you'd ditch class for-"

"Move," he said flatly, brushing past her like she was a trashy ad.

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AND LITERARY ARTS**

Angelo had barely stepped onto the pathway when a girl in a vintage denim jacket and silver eyeliner blocked his way.

She had short black hair, one streak dyed cherry red, and a smirk like she knew your secrets.

"Hey," she said. "You're in my Lit class, right?"

Angelo blinked. "Maybe. I'm-"

"Angelo," she said before he could finish. "Yeah, I know. I read your forum post about narrative architecture last night. You've got a weird brain. I like it."

"...Thanks?"

"I'm Lyra Monroe," she said, holding out a hand. "Wanna be friends?"

"Sure. Why not?" He said with a grin and she smiled

Lyra looped her arm around Angelo's like they were old besties, her cherry-red streak catching the light as they walked toward the Literary building.

"So what do you write?" she asked, bumping her hip into his. "Don't say poems. Everyone here writes poems."

Angelo chuckled nervously. "I mean... I like stories. Fantasies. I'm building this game-world concept too."

"Hot. Nerdy, but hot." She flashed him a playful wink, and he almost tripped over his own feet.

The hallway ahead buzzed. Inside, students leaned against lockers arguing about Greek gods, war themes, and plot structure like it was a sport.

As they entered the main lecture hall, Lyra whispered, "Brace yourself. Prof Venus is in a mood today."

Right on cue, a tall woman in heels stomped to the front of the class. She wore a black bodycon dress with thigh slits and diamond hoops. Her eyeliner could cut through dreams.

"Good morning, heartbreaks and disappointments,"

she said, setting down her glittery pink laptop. "Today we're discussing Greek tragedies. Much like my ex. He's a Sagittarius."

Someone in the back muttered, "She's unhinged."

She pointed without looking. "Five marks deducted. I heard that."

Angelo sank into his seat, wide-eyed. Lyra just laughed, popping gum.

---

Meanwhile – Architecture Building, Outdoor Court

Adrien dumped his bag by the steel bench, pulling off his shirt and tossing it over his shoulder.

His tattooed chest glistened in the morning sun, catching lot's of stares. Three guys were already bouncing a ball around the edge of the court.

"Yo, King Cruz," one of them called. "You're late, man."

"Scarlett again?" another teased, spinning the ball on one finger.

Adrien rolled his eyes and snatched the ball. "She's like chewing gum stuck to my sneakers."

The boys laughed, and a scrimmage began. Adrien moved with sharp, effortless precision, his muscles flexing under the sun. His teammates:

Noah – tall, tan-skinned, and sarcastic, with a quick wit and faster feet.

Jayden – light brown curls, obsessed with sneakers and anime. Always humming.

Rico – shorter, but deadly accurate on shots. He'd once dunked on a professor.

As they played, a small crowd gathered. Some girls giggled from the sidelines. Others just watched silently, phones out, catching Adrien's every move.

From the edge, Scarlett appeared again-perfect makeup, fake concern.

"You're sweating," she said, stepping onto the court with a bottle. "Let me help-"

Adrien blocked her with one arm, still dribbling. "This ain't a runway, Scar. Chill"

**

Back at Literature Department - After Class

As the class ended, Lyra tugged Angelo away from the crowd.

"Wanna grab coffee? There's this haunted cafe on campus. Some say it's cursed with writer's block."

"Haunted?" he raised a brow.

"Not literally. Just emotionally. Like me," she grinned.

They passed a board full of Greek god posters-Ares, Apollo, Hades-each a theme for upcoming assignments. Angelo paused, staring at the Apollo one.

"Sunlight... poetry... prophecy..."

Lyra watched him.

"You're more of a Hades type," she teased. "Dark but misunderstood."

He blinked. "You think I'm dark?"

She leaned in close, dangerously close. "You've got that storm-under-the-smile thing."

Suddenly, Angelo's phone buzzed. A message from a contact saved as: "Nightmare"

"I want you back in the mansion, giving you just ten minutes"

The phone dropped to the ground from his sweaty palms and Lyra gasped as he staggered