Night had fully fallen. Pale yellow streetlights cast their glow over the quiet path behind the dormitory, where trees whispered softly in the cool night breeze. The air held a calm stillness, occasionally broken by the faint chirping of insects hidden in the grass. Two figures walked slowly across the deserted lawn—one small and delicate, the other tall and composed—their shadows stretching long beneath the dim, flickering light.
The sky glows with a golden hue as the sun begins to dip behind the dormitory buildings. A gentle breeze dances through the trees, rustling leaves and sending a few fluttering past Skylar Trinh and Julian Jiang as they walk side by side along the pathway back to their dorm. The air carries a quiet warmth, like the calm after a storm, and their footsteps echo lightly on the stone tiles.
Skylar lets out a soft chuckle, her eyes curving into crescents as she talks animatedly. Her laughter lingers in the air, sweet and carefree. Julian, though more reserved, occasionally glances sideways at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. There's an ease between them now that wasn't there before, like an invisible barrier has finally thinned.
Their faces are bright, eyes lit up—not from the moonlight but from the mutual sense of peace and... something else neither quite dares to name yet.
Nathan Dang stands at the entrance of the dormitory like a security checkpoint. Arms folded, face stern. The expression is exaggeratedly serious, the kind of look an older brother gives two mischievous kids sneaking back late from an adventure. When the duo approaches, he clears his throat loudly:
"Ahem... You two are just getting back now, huh? Everything in one piece, Little Sky?"
Skylar grins brightly: "All good! Totally in one piece!"
Julian squints, skeptical: "In one piece?"
His brows suddenly shoot up. It's as if a thought crashes into his brain at lightning speed. He jerks his head toward Skylar with an expression of mock horror: "Y-You didn't... record anything, did you?"
Skylar raises a brow: "Of course not. I was too busy trying not to miss the moment."
Julian lets out a long sigh of relief: "Phew... Then we're good."
He turns away, visibly relaxing.
Big mistake.
A glint flashes in Skylar's eyes. She moves like a ninja, slipping her phone from her pocket with practiced stealth. Her fingers tap quickly. Then—
Click! Click!
The sound of shutter clicks cuts through the air. Julian freezes. For a beat, his face is blank, as if his brain has blue-screened.
Skylar grins wickedly, waving her phone: "Got a few nice shots. Blackmail material secured."
Julian's eyes widen in absolute horror: "You little opportunist!!!"
He lunges.
Skylar yelps and bolts, dashing behind Nathan.
Nathan, who was until now enjoying the playful banter with a content smile, is caught completely off guard. Before he can even register what's happening, Skylar is already clutching the back of his jacket, using him as a human shield.
His body stiffens. Eyes blink slowly. Brain: buffering...
Julian doesn't slow down. The air around him grows icy. His steps are steady, purposeful. His expression? Flat. Too flat.
Nathan swallows hard. Sweat beads start forming on his forehead.
"Y-Young master... P-please... calm down..."
Julian says nothing. He simply walks.
Nathan panics. Internally screaming. He takes one step to the side. Then another. He peeks at Julian's face and immediately regrets it.
Two more steps and—he bolts.
"I-I'm out! You're on your own! Good luck!"
The door slams shut behind him with an echoing BANG, leaving Skylar gaping.
"Y-You're abandoning me?! Where's the camaraderie?!"
Julian pauses, watching the door click shut, then turns his attention back to his prey.
"You're really not going to delete them, huh?"
Skylar retreats instinctively, taking tiny backward steps.
"W-What are you planning to do?"
She keeps retreating, step by step, until her back bumps against the cold wall. Her breath catches. No more space. No more exits.
Julian steps in closer. His smile is wicked, eyes half-lidded.
"Nowhere left to run, Sky Baby... Anything you'd like to say before I make my move?"
Skylar's cheeks flush instantly. Her limbs flail slightly, waving her arms in front of her like she can fan him away.
"B-Back off a little! Give me space and we'll talk!!!"
Julian doesn't move. He looms.
Skylar's heart pounds, her face a bright crimson mess, caught between laughter and alarm.
The hallway, once so calm, is now charged with electricity.
Julian raises a brow, clearly amused: "You're shaking. Are you scared of me?"
Skylar scowls—well, tries to: "N-No. I'm just... surprised. Yeah. Totally surprised."
"Surprised, huh? You should be." His voice drops to a dangerous whisper: "You messed with the wrong person."
Skylar's hands tremble as she hides her phone behind her back, laughing nervously: "I-it's just a few harmless photos. For memories!"
"Oh, I'll give you memories," Julian murmurs darkly, closing the distance.
Skylar squeaks and darts to the side, trying to escape. Julian chases.
She makes it halfway across the hallway before he grabs her wrist. Gently—but firmly.
"Gotcha."
Skylar glares up at him, flushed and panting: "Y-You can't prove anything!"
Julian smirks: "I don't need proof. I've got instinct."
Skylar twists her wrist: "Let go! I'll delete it, okay?!"
Julian leans in, eyes gleaming: "Now, now. You had your fun. It's my turn."
Skylar's jaw drops: "T-Turn? What turn?"
Julian holds up his own phone: "Smile, Sky Baby."
Click!
Skylar gasps: "You took a revenge photo?!"
"Just balancing the scales."
Skylar breaks free and groans: "You play dirty."
Julian shrugs, smug: "I learn from the best."
Skylar glares, but the corners of her lips twitch.
Julian pauses, watching her. His expression softens a fraction.
"You're not really mad, are you?"
Skylar crosses her arms, still flustered: "M-Maybe. A little."
Julian chuckles quietly: "You're cute when you're pretending to be mad."
Skylar's eyes widen. Her mouth opens. Closes. Opens again.
Julian winks and turns to leave: "Don't stay up too late."
Skylar stands there, stunned, heart thudding against her ribcage.
She stares at his retreating back, then mutters under her breath: "That smug little..."
But there's a smile tugging at her lips she can't quite hide.