The next day...
The sun poured through the thin curtains when Adrian opened his eyes. For a moment, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling. The same ceiling he always saw every morning, yet today it felt different. Maybe because his mind was still full of Lucien Vale.
He could still see last night in his head... And it was enough to make Adrian's chest feel tight again.
He sat up slowly, brushing his messy hair away from his face. His room was quiet. He didn't have a roommate, and he liked it that way. It made things easier for him to keep his notebooks hidden, his lists safe.
After a short moment, he got up and went about his morning routine. He didn't forget his hoodie, his dark glasses, or his cane. He always wore them before stepping outside. They were like his armour.
No one questioned a quiet blind boy dressed in layers. No one got too close either.
But today... he had a new goal.
He had to pause his usual habit of learning about everyone else. His focus had shifted.
'Today, it's only Lucien.'
He told himself that as he left the room and locked the door.
His hands were calm, but his heart wasn't.
.
.
The college campus was already alive as always.
Students walked in groups, laughing, some rushing to the cafeteria while others gathered around the sports fields. It was Wednesday, and although it was unusual for a college to have a sports day in the middle of the week, the school called it "Wellness Day."
Most students saw it as an excuse to skip class and play. But behind all the smiles and laughter, the academy was not as simple as it looked.
It was a private college that accepted only 500 students each year. Everyone believed they were there for normal classes, normal life.
None of them... not even Adrian... knew the truth behind the academy's selective system.
All the students' files were confidential. Identities were sealed.
Students came from different cities, families, and backgrounds, yet something about each of them was special enough to be chosen.
But to Adrian, none of that mattered now.
He walked across the open field, his cane lightly tapping the concrete path as he made his way toward the sound of loud cheering.
It didn't take long to find what he was looking for.
.
The football field was crowded.
Students filled the bleachers, shouting, laughing, and waving banners. The air smelled like grass, sweat, and energy drinks. For a moment, it was easy to forget that there had been a murder just yesterday. Everyone had moved on too quickly... especially Lucien Vale. He didn't even feel bad.
Even Isabella's friends had moved on as Clara had stolen her position. Bella was the one always sitting in the middle, dressed well and always looking pretty. One thing about Bella was that she never kept beautiful friends.
But now, since she's gone, Clara has changed all of her outfits and started wearing makeup. She has become the new belle of the school.
"Isn't Lucien cute?"
"Hahaha! Yes, he is,"
Her group laughed with her, covering their faces shyly.
Adrian ignored them as he stood quietly near the back, letting the noise wash over him. He didn't join in the cheers, but his pulse picked up when he finally saw Lucien on the field.
Lucien ran with the ball in hand, his movements were sharp and clean. His hair clung to his forehead, wet from sweat, and his sportswear fit tightly around his body. Adrian's eyes followed every detail... the way the fabric stretched over Lucien's strong arms, the faint veins that ran along them, and the small, visible bulge under his tight pants.
Adrian swallowed hard, dragging his gaze away. His face felt hot beneath the hood.
He told himself he wasn't watching out of attraction... he just needed to observe.
But he knew that was a lie.
A group of students nearby began whispering. Their voices were low, but Adrian's ears caught every word.
"Do you think he can even see anything?"
"He's blind, bro. Look at that stick."
"Then what's he doing here when he really can't see anything?"
"Maybe he's faking it."
"Wanna test it?"
Their laughter followed. Adrian ignored them. He'd heard worse. But a few minutes later, the sound of a bottle opening made him tense.
Cold liquid splashed over his back... ice-cold Coke soaking through his hoodie.
The sticky chill made him flinch, but he clenched his jaw and didn't react.
He could feel everyone's eyes turning toward him.
Whispers started. Some giggled. Others looked away awkwardly.
Adrian forced his expression to stay blank. Inside, he was boiling. Not in anger... but in humiliation.
Before he could move, a whistle blew. The game ended. The crowd roared with excitement.
Lucien had scored the final point for the team.
Adrian tilted his head slightly, hoping to catch just one last glimpse of him before he left. His chest felt heavy when he realised Lucien wasn't looking at him at all. Lucien was smiling, laughing with his teammates, completely at ease. His black hair caught the sunlight like he was glowing.
Adrian lowered his head again. He shouldn't have expected anything. He started walking away, but one of the boys who had spilt the Coke stuck out a leg in front of him.
Adrian saw it immediately. He could've avoided it, but he didn't. He had to keep his act believable.
So, he tripped on purpose.
The ground hit his knee hard, and a sharp sting shot through his leg.
The boys laughed loudly.
"Watch your way, blind boy!"
"Didn't see that coming, huh?"
"Of course, he didn't. Because he can't... See,"
"Puhahahaha!"
Their voices made his stomach twist.
He bit his lower lip till it bled, trying not to let a sound escape. Slowly, he picked up his cane and stood again, his fingers trembling slightly.
He turned his head just enough to check if Lucien had seen.
But Lucien was gone, probably still chatting with his team, or getting surrounded by girls who were already taking pictures with him.
Disappointment filled his chest like cold air. He wanted Lucien to notice him. Just once more.
He took a deep breath and walked away. The boys' laughter followed him, echoing in his ears until he was far from the field.
.
.
By the time he reached his dorm, his hoodie was half-dry but sticky. The smell of soda made him wrinkle his nose.
He went straight to his room, shut the door behind him, and sighed.
The hoodie clung to his skin uncomfortably. He peeled it off, tossing it onto the chair. The cold fabric hit the floor with a wet thud.
His pale skin was damp, his hair sticking to his neck. He needed to change quickly before it made him sick. He pulled out a clean sweatshirt and reached for a cap to cover his head.
Then... a sudden click from the door made Adrian freeze in his spot.
He hadn't locked it. No one ever entered his room. So he had no reason to do that.
His pulse jumped. He quickly grabbed a black mask from his table and put it on, covering half his face before turning away.
"Who's there?" he asked sharply, voice steady but tense. "Why did you come in without knocking?"
For a moment, there was silence... then a soft cough.
The voice that followed made his blood freeze.
"Do you remember me? It's Lucien."
Adrian turned his head slightly but didn't look up. His throat went dry. He could feel his heart beating like a drum.
Lucien continued casually, "I'm your new roommate."
The words hit him harder than anything else.
His hand tightened around the cap in his grip.
"Room... roommate?" he repeated quietly, almost like he didn't believe it.
Lucien chuckled softly behind him. "Yeah. I just got assigned. I guess we'll be living together now Adrian."
Adrian couldn't move. His heart was pounding so fast it almost hurt. The same man who killed Isabella was now standing inside his room... smiling... and about to become his roommate.
He slowly turned halfway, careful to keep his mask on and glasses in place.
Lucien was there, leaning casually against the door frame, holding a small bag over his shoulder. His dark hair was still damp from the shower, his skin shining faintly.
His smile was calm. His eyes weren't.
"You look surprised. Did I perhaps come at a bad time?" Lucien said, stepping closer.
Adrian's body stiffened, but he managed to whisper as he took one step away
"A little."
Lucien dropped his bag on the floor, getting comfortable already.
"Don't worry. I don't take up much space."
Adrian's hands were trembling slightly behind his back.
He had watched this man take a life. Now, that same man was going to sleep a few feet away from him.
He didn't know if he should be scared... or excited. But again, it made everything easy especially when he's stalking Lucien Vale.