Chapter 32

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Blake nudged Justin with her elbow as they exited the cafeteria.

“Well, well… someone’s making friends fast,” she said with a sly grin.

Justin raised a brow. “You call that friendship?”

Blake twirled a strand of her blue-dyed hair and winked. “Sure, if you count passive-aggressive stares and subtle death threats.”

“I mean, you did make Nathan look like a stiff peacock in front of half the cafeteria.”

“Didn’t have to try hard,” Justin replied dryly. “He strutted in all by himself.”

Blake laughed, eyes flicking over his calm demeanor. “You know, you’ve got this whole ‘tall, dark, and dangerously silent’ thing going on. Girls are totally into it.”

Justin gave her a sidelong glance. “You included?”

She smirked. “You wish.”

“I’m curious,” he said. “I have my reasons for not feeling threatened by them, but what about you? If they can’t get to me, they could go after you.”

Blake’s smile widened at the question. “Then they’d be signing their own death wish.”

Intrigued, Justin turned to face her fully. “Sounds mysterious. Care to explain?”

Blake playfully shoved him aside. “Why should I? Haven’t you heard—secrets make women more attractive. Besides, I wouldn’t want to ruin the surprise. You should already have an idea… just think ‘blonde.’”

Justin grimaced at that, recognizing the same line he’d once used against someone else. It didn’t feel great having his own words thrown back at him. The bell rang, cutting the moment short. Afternoon classes were about to start, so he pushed the thought aside.

They chatted and laughed until they reached their next lecture hall.

---Afternoon Class

The political psychology class had a sharper, more focused atmosphere. Stephanie was absent—her major kept her in a different schedule.

Justin took a seat near the window. Blake claimed the chair beside him, while Skylar and Jessie sat several rows up, Skylar acting like she didn’t know him.

The professor entered—an older man in eccentric glasses and a loud floral shirt. “Today’s lecture: Authority and Manipulation.”

For the first time that day, Justin’s interest sparked.

Blake leaned in. “Fitting, huh? You, manipulating everyone with those broody looks.”

“I’m just listening,” he murmured.

“You say that like it’s not suspicious,” she teased.

From the front row, Skylar turned just enough to glance back at him, eyes narrowing. Justin met her gaze—no words, just silent friction and unspoken curiosity.

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College Dormitory – Room 402

By early evening, Justin arrived at the dorms. The building was modern but unpretentious, students milling about with suitcases, skateboards, and guitars.

Room 402’s door was open.

Inside, three guys were already settling in.

The first—tall, wiry, with messy hair—was wearing a VR headset, shouting at his game. “Nooo! I hit reload—why now?!”

The second—shirtless, toned, and surrounded by cologne bottles and love letters—looked up with a grin. “New guy?”

The third sat quietly at a desk, typing. A half-solved Rubik’s cube and a book on espionage sat beside him.

“Room 402?” Justin asked.

“Yup,” the second guy said, standing to shake his hand. “I’m Ryan. That’s Leo—the gamer currently getting destroyed—and the quiet one’s Cole. Don’t bother asking his backstory. He’s got ‘mystery side character’ energy.”

Leo pulled off his headset. “Whoa! You’re the cafeteria guy! You stomped that rich dude!”

Justin shrugged, dropping his duffel on the empty bed. “He was in my way.”

Ryan laughed. “Oh, we’re gonna get along just fine.”

Cole finally spoke, his voice low and even. “I would have preferred… other options to violence.”

Justin allowed a faint smile. “You all seem lively.”

“Better than boring,” Ryan said with a wink. “Welcome to Room 402—where the drama never sleeps.”