Trust in Her Tricks

Chapter 7: A Rival Appears

Eris sat at her usual lunch table, her phone propped up against her water bottle as she watched a fan-made video of Xiao from Genshin Impact. Her friends, used to her new obsession, chatted around her, occasionally throwing teasing comments her way. Eris didn't mind; she was too engrossed in her screen.

Ethan walked up with his lunch tray, noticing the familiar sparkle in Eris's eyes that he'd come to recognize as her "Xiao look." He couldn't help but feel a small smile tug at his lips. "Still dreaming about Xiao, huh?"

Eris didn't look up, her eyes glued to the video. "More than dreaming, Ethan. I've decided I'm going to go to Xiao and make him sign a paper that he is officially married to me," she declared with a playful grin, making her friends burst into laughter.

Ethan chuckled, masking the small sting of jealousy. "Wow, I didn't know I had to compete with a fictional character. I guess I need to up my game," he teased back.

Before Eris could respond, a new voice cut in. "Hey, you guys mind if I join?"

Ethan turned to see a tall, calm-looking guy with an easy smile standing next to their table. It was Lucas, the new student who had transferred in a few weeks ago but hadn't really talked to anyone outside of class until now. He seemed friendly, and there was something about his relaxed demeanor that instantly put everyone at ease.

"Sure, take a seat!" Eris responded brightly, motioning to an empty chair. "This is Lucas, right? We have Biology together."

"Yeah, that's me," Lucas nodded, taking a seat and setting down his tray. "And you're Eris, the one who's always talking about... Xiao, was it?"

Eris laughed. "Guilty as charged. You know Xiao?"

Lucas shrugged, smiling. "I've heard enough from you in class to feel like I do. He sounds... intense."

Ethan, feeling a slight twinge of irritation, jumped in. "You should play the game. Then you'd understand the hype."

Lucas chuckled, looking amused. "Maybe I will. If Eris is this passionate about it, there's probably something to it."

Eris blushed slightly, caught off guard by the compliment. "Well, it's a great game, but it's not just about Xiao. It's got a lot of depth... and fun characters like Hu Tao!" she added, glancing at Ethan.

Lucas nodded thoughtfully. "I might give it a try. Besides, it seems like a good way to get to know you better," he said, his tone light but with a hint of sincerity.

Ethan felt his chest tighten. Lucas wasn't just making friendly conversation; he was making a move. He forced a smile. "Yeah, who knows? Maybe you'll get hooked too."

For the rest of lunch, Lucas joined in the conversation easily, making everyone laugh with his quick wit and friendly demeanor. He seemed genuinely interested in what Eris had to say, and she found herself enjoying his company more than she expected. Ethan, meanwhile, kept a polite smile, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Lucas's arrival had suddenly changed everything.

As lunch ended and they all got up to leave, Lucas turned to Eris. "Hey, I know this might sound weird since we just met, but would you want to hang out sometime? Maybe you could show me what's so great about Xiao," he suggested with a teasing grin.

Eris hesitated, glancing briefly at Ethan, who tried to keep his expression neutral. "Uh, sure, why not? I mean, if you're really interested in the game."

Lucas nodded. "Definitely. And who knows? Maybe I'll find out why you want to marry a fictional character," he joked, making Eris laugh.

As they walked away, Ethan couldn't help but feel a new sense of urgency. Lucas seemed nice, maybe even too nice, and he clearly had his sights set on Eris. The thought gnawed at Ethan all through the afternoon classes.

By the time the final bell rang, Ethan had made up his mind. He wasn't going to let Lucas swoop in without a fight. He'd have to show Eris that he could be just as exciting and interesting as any character in a game—or any new guy trying to get close to her.