After that night, everything revolved around finding Isaac Collins. And so winter break began.
At the airport, Dante helped Claire with her suitcase, tossing out a teasing remark."A trip to Rome for just one week of vacation? That's pure greed."
"You've got to enjoy life, Dante!" she shot back with a mischievous smile, though her eyes softened with concern a second later. "Are you sure you really want to stay here?"
"I'll be better off here than at home." He hugged her goodbye, a half-smile tugging at his lips but never reaching his eyes. "Besides, I'll help Ethan track down this Isaac guy while you're gone."
"It doesn't seem fair for you to handle all of it on your own."
"Think of it as charity," Dante said dryly, brushing it off, though Claire knew better.
It was always the same every break: everyone went home, except him. Going back meant drowning in the performance of his family—relatives glued together by nothing but money and power. And above all, Helena Black, his narcissistic mother, who saw him as just another trophy. Freedom had only come when he moved to Westwood City. MTM was his haven, and little by little, the city was too.
When Claire's plane finally took off, Dante returned to campus. Silence wrapped around him: only a handful of students were still scrambling with final projects, and soon they'd be gone as well.
Bored, he dialed Ethan's number."Hello?" Ethan finally answered on the third ring.
"Hope you're not too busy on vacation to pick up for your best friend."
"Hmm… let me check my schedule." Ethan chuckled. "What's up?"
"I've got nothing to do. I'll dig more into this Isaac guy. Remind me of his last name, and explain exactly how this photoshoot is supposed to work."
On the other end, Ethan smiled, though Dante couldn't see it. Dante always did things like this for him—sweet gestures hidden under layers of sarcasm, as if he didn't care at all. Ethan told him everything: how many shots, the style, the location, the timing, and where the photos would be published. And just like that, Dante's winter break started: hunting for the perfect model.
At the registrar's office, he got the information in minutes. Being a Black had its perks: the family name opened doors effortlessly."Isaac Collins, twenty-three, physics major," Dante read out loud. "Full scholarship, top grades… wow, a genius." His sarcasm barely covered the flicker of surprise in his voice.
With the details in hand, all that was left was to find him. He combed the science faculty and other corners of campus, but Isaac was nowhere to be seen. With break starting, there weren't many people left to ask either.
"Ugh, I give up!" he groaned, collapsing onto the grass by the back lake of the university. It was his secret spot to think whenever things got messy, and today was no exception.
The cold ground seeped into his back as he inhaled the damp scent of wet grass, letting the crisp winter air clear his lungs. The gentle ripple of water against the shore lulled him—until his phone buzzed.
Mom:Dante, I need you to come home as soon as possible. There are things we need to discuss.
He read the message several times, nausea churning in his stomach."You've got to be kidding me…" he muttered.
Quickly, he typed back:I can't. Too many projects.
Minutes passed with no reply, but the anxiety stayed lodged like a stone in his gut. He knew Helena too well: she always got what she wanted. At any moment, she'd call again and drag him back.What the hell does she want now? he thought, jaw tight.
Two days slipped by the same way: sleeping late, playing video games, and worst of all, still no sign of Isaac. Nobody knew anything."He's like a damn ghost…" Dante grumbled, mashing the buttons on his controller.
On another round of searching, Dante prowled the science halls, barging into classrooms without knocking under the flimsy excuse of looking for Isaac. His reputation preceded him: in his first year he'd been nothing but trouble, and although he'd calmed down, professors hadn't forgotten.
He swung open the door of a classroom mid-presentation. Professor Shane recognized him instantly."Can we help you with something, Dante?" the man asked with a weary sigh. Students froze, some whispering nervously, others giggling, and more than a few girls clearly thrilled to see him there.
"I'm looking for a student. A star. Isaac Collins—ring any bells?" Dante's sarcasm made Shane's brow twitch.
"Try another room, or wait until break's over." Shane stood to shut the door, but just then, the coordinator's voice snapped from behind him.
"Dante Black. My office. Now!"
His first instinct was to bolt. And even if he was too old for that… he bolted anyway."Don't you dare, Black!" she barked, finger stabbing the air like a weapon.
The commotion drew attention from nearby classrooms. As Dante ran, his eyes darted from door to door, desperate to catch a glimpse of the elusive Isaac. And then—he saw him.
A boy stepped out of a room, lab coat over his shoulders, a folder in hand. Black hair tied loosely in a half-ponytail, posture sharp, an air of calm mystery clinging to him.
Dante's green gaze locked with Isaac Collins's golden ones.
A grin tugged at Dante's lips, a mix of shock and relief flooding him. He'd found him. Classroom 2-D.
"He's such a freak," Isaac muttered, sliding back into his seat with a straight face.
Beside him, a boy with short brown hair and dark eyes chuckled, his laid-back aura breaking the tension."That's Dante Black. And yeah… he's a little eccentric," said Kegan, Isaac's best friend.
Meanwhile, Dante stumbled back into his dorm, chest heaving, a grin stretching across his face. He laughed at himself—what he'd done was ridiculous, the coordinator would tear him a new one later—but the rush had been worth it.
"Classroom 2-D. Found you, Isaac," he whispered, savoring the victory.