4SINS: DECEPTION OF LUCIAN MARCUS GREY

4

A Few Days Later...

The noise of the club fair had long since faded, replaced by the usual hum of campus life. The sky was overcast, and the morning air had a crispness that made Glaryse shiver slightly as she walked across the quad, her phone tucked into her pocket.

The buzz of university life felt almost comforting now—calm and familiar compared to the chaotic energy of the previous day. But even as she tried to enjoy the normalcy of it all, her mind kept drifting back to the strange dynamics that had unfolded in the break room at the event hall—how Silas had watched Zarisha so intently, how Lucian had seemed almost too aware of the undercurrent between them, and the cryptic remarks they'd exchanged. What was really going on with those two? And why had Lucian gone out of his way to offer such a thoughtful suggestion? He really was a nice person—genuine and willing to help.

"Hey!" Zarisha's voice broke through her thoughts, and Glaryse looked up to see her roommate approaching with a wide grin. Her blonde hair bounced with each step, and her energy was as infectious as always. "Ready for this volunteer gig?"

Glaryse blinked, momentarily surprised. She had almost forgotten about it. "Right, the student council project..."

She hadn't exactly been enthusiastic when Lucian had suggested it a few days ago, but she hadn't had much choice. As freshmen, they were required to either join a club or do volunteer work to fulfill the university's activity requirement. Since neither she nor Zarisha had committed to any clubs yet, volunteering seemed like the best option.

Zarisha, ever the optimist, was already chatting about what she expected from the day. "I heard we're going to an orphanage to play with the kids. It should be fun. I mean, beats standing around at some club fair, right?"

Glaryse smiled faintly. It wasn't that she disliked kids, but the idea of spending the day with a group of strangers—especially ones so young—made her feel more anxious than she cared to admit. Still, she didn't want to complain. "Yeah, it'll be fine. I guess it's a good way to... get to know people?"

"Exactly!" Zarisha beamed. "Besides, Lucian seemed to think it was a good idea."

At the mention of Lucian, Glaryse's heart warmed. She had been thinking about him more than she cared to admit. Lucian had a way of making people feel comfortable, as if he genuinely wanted to help them succeed. The suggestion to volunteer at the orphanage hadn't seemed like much at first, but now it felt like more than just a way to check off a box for school requirements. It was a chance to give back, to do something meaningful. And Lucian, with his effortless kindness, had made that possible.

Flashback: The Break Room

A few days earlier, during the chaos of the club fair, Lucian had pulled her and Zarisha aside to a quieter area of the event hall. The overwhelming crowd and noise made the break room feel like a haven of sorts—though something about it still felt off, as though it were hiding something.

Lucian had led them to a small table near the coffee machine, where the three of them could finally catch their breath. Silas, who had been standing nearby, hadn't followed them in, instead staying by the door, almost as if observing from the sidelines. His gaze lingered on Zarisha, and for a moment, Glaryse couldn't help but notice how intensely he was staring at her. It was almost... too much. The tension in the air was palpable, but no one acknowledged it.

Lucian, ever calm, had sat down across from them. "So, what are you two thinking about for this semester? Have you thought about joining any clubs?" he asked, though there was a strange edge to his question, as if he already knew their answer.