The sprawling campus stretched out in a sea of perfectly manicured lawns, dotted with towering palm trees swaying gently in the warm breeze. The paths wound through red-tiled buildings that gleamed under the golden sunlight, their sandstone facades weathered with history—grand and imposing. Students in casual clothes moved with purpose, some chatting, others riding bikes down the wide avenues.

In front of a wide fountain, two boys stood, noticeably impatient. One tapping his foot relentlessly—the sole hitting the ground in an irritated rhythm, while the other let out a low grunt, shifting his weight from one leg to the other.

The boy with light blue eyes had his arms crossed tight. Every few seconds, he'd mutter something under his breath, casting glances at the door with mounting frustration. "How much longer for fucks sake?" he grumbled, rolling his shoulders in frustration.

"No one knows," the other sarcastically muttered, though his foot kept stomping on the ground. "Probably got shanked again last night—don't give a damn—but hell knows I'm wiping that stupid smile off his face once he shows up—"

Just as the words left his mouth, water splashed on the back of his head! Holding suppressed irritation, the black haired boy slowly turned..

To find a grinning bro as he skidded into a stop. The boy's white and blue Cortez squeaked as he took in the glares from his two bros. Instinctively, he ducked, anticipating the headlock that was already coming from the wet haired boy.

"Can you be punctual for once, Hunt?" the other blonde grunted, and before anyone could say another word, Dominic found himself locked in a double headlock, laughing as the three tumbled into a wrestling match. They grumbled and cursed—yet, the laughter echoed in between their grunts. It wasn't until the only black haired boy stopped. Breathlessly pausing, followed by the other two, he glanced up..

To notice the wide-eyed stares from the onlookers. For a split second, the world seemed to freeze. But as if on cue, it only ended up with the crowd's—the girl's—swoons.

Of course. It always happens.

The bros exchanged exasperated looks before awkwardly scratching their heads—their egos flew to the roof more than they'd admit. Shrugging off the earlier commotion, they resumed their walk while still sneakily smacking each other's heads.

"Diamond at 5?" the lighter blonde haired boy asked, smacking Dominic playfully on the back of the head as he shot his bro a look.

Dominic barely had time to breathe when the black haired boy playfully gave another smack on the back of the head, causing him to stumble forward a bit. "Don't you remember, Wyatt? Toretto got himself a new passion." he teased, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, Tyty," Dominic joked, eliciting rolling eyes from Tyler. "Nah but I really need to join today or else I'll lose the fucking scholarship," he chuckled, straightening up and brushing off his bro's hand from his shoulders.

"Like you ever needed it, asshole." Wyatt snorted. Dominic chuckled, but it came out more bitter than he thought. The boys stopped laughing, exchanging a brief glance of guilt. As perceptive as he is, Wyatt quickly attempted to lighten things up. "I heard someone~ was getting chased around~"

"Yeah—! Broooo~" Tyler jumped in, narrowing his eyes playfully. "Probably get caught for an arranged marriage~"

Dominic closed his eyes and laughed, exasperated. The bros grinned, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"Ah, just the usual. Girls and their crazy delusions," Dominic grinned, shaking his head. However his expression soured as he complained, "Except this time.. it was a whole damn family."

"Wrong target alert!" Wyatt cackled.

Dominic shrugged, still grinning. "I swear if any more psycho—"

When someone bumped into him from the side, sending him stumbling slightly!

In sudden urgency, he turned with his eyebrows raised, ready to snap. "What the—?"

It was a blur, but the culprit barely stopped for a sec. A flustered girl shot him an apologetic glance. Her honey-toned skin catches the sun's glow, curly hair bounced as she turned her head to him. "Sorry—!"

Hunt tilted his head slightly—as if something clicked. Like he recognized—

But she sprinted off.

He stood there, mincing his eyes with his head still tilted, trying to place where he knew her from—

"Kids these days."

Just then, Tyler's voice woke him up from his reverie. Tyler watched the two girls sprint away, shaking his head slightly with a smirk. In contrast, Liam, with his sus face, sidled up next to Dominic, muttering, "New target alert?" and Tyler smacked him lightly on the back of the head. The two of them laughed and kept walking, but as for Dominic.. he couldn't help but glance back one more time.

Is she..?

"You okay—?!"

A girl glanced over just as you leveled with her. Her skin rich, velvety brown that seemed to glow under any light, and her face—soft yet striking—was framed by a cascade of wild, dark curls.

"Yeah—hurry!" you pant, grabbing her hand and pulling her along.

"Man, if you hadn't been late, we could've actually talked to that hot guy you just bumped into," she huffed as you both dashed down the path.

You rolled your eyes, completely unfazed.

This was the usual. Listening to her ramble on—especially—about boys.. being an utter.. complete..

"You can take him," she continued, "I'll take the other two. Or actually—no. I'll take the one bumped into you. We'll get married right after college.. a honeymoon in Saint Tropez—"

Delulu.

"Shush Talia. Gotta stop you there before you start daydreaming bout how your future kids would look like—again," you said, barely masking your irritation. "And for the record—they looked like they're younger than us—like.." you pause and pant as the two of you turn in the corner. But in all seriousness, you can already feel Talia's judging eyes as you continue with a degrading tone,

"Boys."

"Daddy issues."

"Oh, and by. the. way~ you mean if you weren't late."

"Me..?" Talia halted mid-stride with a face full of disbelief. "Me?!"

You gave her a side-eye as she scrambled to catch up, tilting your head challengingly. "Oh, don't be so—dramatic. I was ready way before you even—I was just—" you paused, thinking fast, not wanting for her to see your lowered pride, to mutter, "painting my face."

"More like painting my future," she scoffed. "You're just being a delulu—hoping she'd run into her indecisive ex who kept leading her on!"

With your mouth hanging open, you snapped your head to her, irritation plastered all over your face while with lightning speed—she drew a hand to your face.

"Don't even deny it—"

"Why is this becoming personal?!"

"Oh it is personal—!"

"Gosh you're so Pisces coded."

"Imagine being scolded by an Aquarius."

"Okay, shush. First of all—it's the sun. The rising's Libra."

"HOW IS THAT ANY BETTER—"

"OK WHY ARE WE—ok. Back to business, please. We need to figure out how the hell we're gonna get in without getting into trouble."

You both ducked around a crowd of people, weaving through the swarm as she rolled her eyes dramatically. "You're the one dragging me into this, babe. Just gotta accept the trouble that comes with it."

"Don't be a smartass. Think smart. Minimize the trouble. I still want to graduate, you know."

She gave you a bewildered look as you finally reached the door. "Huh? After all that yapping about how you just. couldn't handle architecture life anymore? After all your complaints about those flirty architects who have zero gentlemanly manners—?"

"Shut up, Tal for God's sake—"

"And after you smashed your maquette because your professor told you to redesign for the tenth time—"

"Shut it, Mosley. Now.."

Talia rolled her eyes, but her steps faltered as you came to a stop in front of the door. You exchanged a look, before shifting back your gaze to the door. Your eyes trailed nervously—up and down the imposing entrance. A sense of dread crept in, but neither of you dared to say it out loud. The tension grew, and without realizing it, you both gulped at the same time.

You shook your hands out, trying to shrug off the unease. A moment passed as you narrowed your eyes in determination. Until—with a deep breath, and a sudden burst of resolve.. you straighten your posture, looked at the door, and asked,

"How do we get in?"

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Cecylia Costania @rcpcs

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