Chapter 29

“Wait—no way… Justin?!”

He stopped.

A familiar voice.

Blake Rodgers, white hoodie half-zipped over a snug tank top, her dyed blue hair spilling over her shoulders, stood frozen a few feet away. She blinked at him like she’d just seen a ghost.

Justin gave a small smile. “Didn’t think I’d see you here.”

“You—? You’re a student here too?” she asked, taking a few steps closer, a grin tugging at her lips. “Damn. What are the odds?”

“Guess we’re classmates now,” he replied simply, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.

“Wow.” Blake chuckled. “Last time I saw you, you were bleeding and smashing faces. Now look at you—Mr. Normal. This is gonna be interesting.”

Justin gave her a short shrug, lips twitching. “Define ‘normal.’”

Before Blake could reply, the hallway subtly shifted.

Heads turned. Phones tilted discreetly. Whispers buzzed through the students.

Skylar Wayne had entered the building.

Wearing a tailored blazer over a casual crop top and jeans, she walked like the halls belonged to her. Behind her were Jessie Matthews, grinning as she relayed some exaggerated tale, and Stephanie Wayne, clutching a tablet close to her chest, quiet but observant.

They moved like a unit—admired, envied, and, in Skylar’s case, almost untouchable.

Blake’s eyes flicked to them. “And there goes the royal court…”

Justin didn’t respond.

Skylar’s sharp gaze brushed past him and Blake. Her expression was neutral—too neutral—but she didn’t stop.

Jessie, walking beside her, smirked when she saw Justin. A flash of something in her eyes—teasing familiarity—but she kept walking.

Stephanie glanced briefly at Justin, then looked away, face unreadable.

Trailing behind the trio came Nathan, campus heartthrob and heir to a wealthy conglomerate. His presence drew its own attention: expensive clothes, smug grin, and a confidence that barely concealed his possessiveness.

He strode up beside Skylar, grinning. “There’s my girl.”

He leaned in, trying to kiss her cheek.

Skylar turned her head at the last second, letting his kiss land awkwardly near her jawline. Her voice was polite but firm. “Not now, Nathan. We're in public.”

The subtle rejection hung in the air.

Students nearby noticed. A few stifled laughs.

Justin did not.

He snorted, barely.

Just loud enough.

Nathan’s gaze snapped to him, and in that brief second, Justin saw the challenge flare behind the rich boy’s smile.

Blake nudged Justin. “...Okay, what did you do?”

“Nothing,” Justin said innocently, eyes following the group. “Yet.”

-----

The lecture hall buzzed with activity—early morning energy mixed with the scent of coffee, cheap cologne, and ambition. Students filed into rows, chatting in clusters, claiming seats like territory before the professor arrived.

Justin stepped through the door with Blake at his side, his hands in his pockets and gaze cool as he scanned the room. He’d been in messier war zones than this, but there was something about the structured chaos of a college class that still felt… weird.

Blake, on the other hand, was right at home.

“Alright,” she said, nudging him toward the middle row. “First rule of survival—never sit in front. That’s where the diehards and professors’ pets live.”

“Duly noted.”

She flopped into a seat and patted the one beside her. Justin sat.

“Second rule—don’t mess with the college elites.

Justin arched an eyebrow. “Define ‘mess.’”

Before Blake could answer, Skylar, Jessie, and Stephanie walked into the hall. Skylar’s long legs carried her toward the center, her polished aura turning heads again. Jessie was laughing, probably at something sarcastic, and Stephanie was glancing at her schedule like she was double-checking it for the third time.