Episode4
782 Words
The silence stretched just long enough ro feel deliberate
Then one of them laugh.
"So it's true," he said, voice laced with amusement.
" The new Omegas really doesn't know where he stands.
Adrian didn't respond immediately.
Instead he straightened, turning fully to face them now.
" ... If you have something to say ," he said calmly.
" You say it direct."
That seemed to amused them.
The two standing behind exchange looks.
"Confident," one of them muttered.
The one in front finally step forward. Edgar Laurent
Slow.
Measured.
His shoes echoed softly against the tile floor.
" Let's make this simple," he said.
Adrian watched him approach without moving.
" You're new," Edgar continued, stopping just a step away.
" You don't understand how things works here yet."
A pause.
" And you've already made a mistake."
Adrian's fingers curled slightly at his side.
"... I don't recall doing anything wrong."
Edgar smiled faintly.
"That's because you don't know what count as wrong."
Another step closer.
Too close.
You were seen with him."
There was no need to say that name.
Adrian lowered his gaze slightly, letting a hint of uncertainty show.
I didn't approach him.
" Doesn't matter," one of the others cut in.
" He approach you."
Edgar tilted his head slightly, studying Adrian's reaction.
"And you didn't refused."
Silence.
Adrian's back met the cold edge of the encounter.
Nowhere to step back.
".... I didn't it was that serious," he said that quietly.
Edgar's smile faded.
" It is."
The air felt heavier now.
" You don't seem to understand," he continued, voice lowering.
" That there people here you don't get close to."
Adrian said nothing.
"Especial him."
A beat pass.
Then_
Adrian spoke softly.
"... I said i won't go near him again."
That seem to satisfy them.
For a moment.
Then_
the door opened.
The sound cut the tension like a blade.
All movement stopped.
Carlos stepped inside.
His presence alone shifted the atmosphere.
His gaze moved once_
taking everything in.
The distance.
The positioning.
The silence."
".... What's going on?"
No one answered.
Carlos stepped forward.
Slow.
Controlled.
" You should leave."
The words were quiet.
But final.
The two behind move immediately.
Edgar lingered_
just long enough to meet Carlos' eyes.
Then he turned.
And walked out.
Silence settled again.
Adrian exhaled softly, as if only now releasing the tension.
Carlos didn't speak.
Instead_
he stepped closer.
Closer enough too make Adrian still.
"....You alright?" Carlos asked.
Adrian nodded faintly.
"...I'm fine."
A pause.
" ...Thank you."
Carlos watched him for a moment.
Then_
"Instead of thanking me..." he said slowly,
"... how about you do me a favor?"
Adrian looked up.
Suspicion flickering through his eyes.
" What do you want?"
Carlos didn't hesitate.
" Dinner."
A small pause.
" Tonight."
Adrian hesitated briefly.
Then ndded.
"...Alright."
The restaurant was quiet.
Refined.
Far from campus.
Adrian sat across from Carlos, posture calm, expression unreadable.
" You don't seem impressed," Carlos said.
Adrian glanced at him.
"... Should I be?"
Carlos leaned back slightly, watching him.
"Most people are."
Adrian lowered his gaze.
" ...I've seen places like this before."
The lie came easily.
Carlos didn't challenge it.
The meal continue in silence.
Not awkward.
Just measured.
"... you're different," Carlos held his gaze.
" You didn't react like others."
A pause.
"...Is that a bad thing?"Adrian asked softly.
Carlos lips curved slightly.
"I haven't decide yet."
Later_
the car stopped outside campus.
Adrian stepped out.
" ...Thank you for the meal."
Carlos didn't respond immediately.
" ...Adrian."
He turned.
A pause.
" Goodnight."
Adrian nodded.
Then walked away.
Calm.
Unhurried.
As if nothing had changed.
The cool evening air brushed lightly against his skin as he crossed the campus.
Behind him the car engine did'n't start.
Carlos was still there.
Watching.
Adrian didn't look back.
By the time he reached dorm building, the campus had quieted.
Lights glowed faintly through the windows.
The hallway was still.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The moment he entered_
something felt off.
Too quiet.
Too...expectant.
Adrian barely took two steps in _
before all three of his roommates turned toward him at once.
Like they had been waiting.
Their eyes locked into him instantly.
Wide.
Curious.
A little too interested.
One of them leaned forward first, unable to hold back
"...Well?" he asked.
Another crossed arms, smirking slightly.
" So?" he added.
" How was it?"
A brief paused.
The all of them, almost at the same time_
"How was your date with Carlos?"
Adrian froze for a second.
Only a second.
Then his expression returned to normal.
But inside_
Something shifted.
- Writer
