Lyra practically bounced beside Nyx as they stepped out of the academic block. Her excitement had been simmering all afternoon, and now it finally spilled over.
"Guess what I got now!" Lyra announced dramatically.
Nyx glanced at her, unreadable. "What."
"The new girl—Amara," Lyra said, lowering her voice as if sharing classified information. "She invited me to her party today evening. And"—she pointed a finger at Nyx—"you're coming with me."
Nyx stopped walking. "Lyra. You make friends fast. I don't want to come."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "Come on, you anti-social owl. Socialize yourself a little. I know you hate parties and crowded places, but I'll be with you. At least do this for me." She smiled sweetly, already victorious. "I'll pick you up at six."
She clasped her hands dramatically. "I can't wait to make a boyfriend—yeeks."
Nyx didn't reply. She just glanced at Lyra.
Because she already knew.
There would be a reason she'd go.
If powerful people gathered in one place, so did information. And information always left traces.
Maybe I'll get a lead, she thought calmly. Something useful.
The evening arrived quicker than expected.
At exactly six, Lyra's car pulled up. Nyx stepped out dressed, as always, in dark tones—effortless, controlled, lethal in elegance. She didn't dress to impress. It happened anyway.
The venue made Lyra whistle.
"A big-ass mansion," she said proudly. "Told you."
The gates opened smoothly.
Inside, the mansion glowed with soft lights and muted music. Laughter echoed through high ceilings, polished floors reflecting silhouettes of people who clearly belonged to the same world.
Amara spotted them instantly.
"There you are!" she said brightly, walking toward them. "Guys—these are the new ones joining our group. This is Lyra… and Nyx." She smiled, then added casually, "She's the one I was talking about. The top scorer after Lucien."
She pointed.
Nyx's gaze shifted.
So he's here too.
Lucien stood among them—quiet, composed, surrounded yet separate. Just like in class.
Amara turned back to Nyx and extended her hand. "Nice to meet you."
Nyx looked at the hand.
Didn't take it.
She lifted her gaze instead. "Nice to meet you too," she said calmly, evenly.
A pause.
Lyra jumped in instantly. "Oh—don't mind her, Amara. She doesn't like physical interactions."
Amara laughed softly. "No problem at all. I hope we all get along." She clapped her hands once. "Let me introduce everyone."
She gestured around proudly. "We all went to the same high school, so we know each other well. This is Elias—Lucien's best friend. This is Alex, Matt, Rayan, Evan, and Iransh."
Then she turned to the girls. "This is Isha, Ella… and I'm Amara."
She smiled brightly. "And now you're part of our group. Twelve of us."
Nyx stood quietly, eyes absorbing everything—the spacing, the hierarchy, who spoke and who didn't.
Lucien still hadn't said a word.
And somehow, that told her more than any introduction ever could.
How fast they trusted each other.How easily laughter replaced caution.
It was almost… childish.
Nyx sat among them, fingers loosely wrapped around a glass she had no intention of drinking from. The liquid inside reflected the soft lights of the mansion, distorting them into something unreal. Around her, conversations flowed effortlessly—plans for the next hangout, cafés to visit, places to be seen.
Only two of them were silent.
Nyx.And Lucien.
He sat across the space, shoulders relaxed, attention fixed on his phone, disengaged from the noise like it bored him. The similarity didn't escape her notice. She didn't like it.
Amara's voice cut through the chatter. "Nyx, you don't speak much," she said lightly. "Just like Lucien. You both are really quiet. Kind of… similar."
Nyx didn't look up.
"You don't want a drink?" Amara asked, gesturing toward her glass.
Nyx said nothing. She simply tightened her fingers around the rim.
"Oh," Lyra jumped in quickly, smiling. "She doesn't like drinks. She doesn't drink."
Amara tilted her head, studying her now. "You know what, Nyx? I'm really fascinated by you. Tell us about yourself."
Nyx's gaze shifted—slow, deliberate—to Lyra.
Lyra met her eyes, silently urging her to speak. Please, her expression said.
Nyx exhaled once.
The boys, who had been mid-conversation, turned to look at her. All except one.
Lucien didn't lift his head.
Nyx straightened slightly. "I don't drink," she said calmly. "And I'm vegetarian." A pause. "That's enough for now."
Silence followed. Not awkward—just surprised.
Amara smiled. "I like the way you speak. It's… intriguing." Then, louder, decisive, "Alright then! From now on, Lyra and Nyx are hanging out with us every day. Agreed?"
Laughter. Nods. Easy acceptance.
Nyx looked back down at her glass.
This gives me a headache, she thought. I'm not here for this.
Time passed. Noise blurred. Faces merged. The mansion felt tighter than before.
She stood.
"I'm leaving," Nyx said simply.
Lyra looked up instantly. "Already? Should I drop you?"
"No."
Before Lyra could argue, Amara waved it off. "Don't worry. Lucien will drop her. He's not doing anything, right?"
For the first time that evening—
Lucien looked up.
His eyes met Nyx's.
He didn't smile. Didn't question it. Just nodded once and stood, already moving.
Nyx followed.
Outside, the night air was cooler, quieter. She matched his pace without trying.
"You don't have to do this," Nyx said calmly, not rushing, not stopping. "You can go back. I'll manage."
Lucien didn't look at her. "Location?"
She told him.
The drive was silent. No music. No small talk. Just the road, the hum of the engine, and two minds measuring each other without words.
When the car stopped, Nyx stepped out. "Thanks," she said, already turning away.
She didn't look back.
But she knew.
His gaze was still fixed on her.
And for the first time that night, something unfamiliar stirred—not emotion, not attraction—
Curiosity.
It seemed… mutual.