Lucian rode up to the college on his bike, parking swiftly as his thoughts remained elsewhere. The scene he'd just escaped from at home, the raw vulnerability of his mother's plea, still lingered in his mind, but he pushed it aside, determined to keep his focus forward.
As he walked through the parking lot toward the college gates, he noticed the subtle change in atmosphere around him. Students were scattered in groups, catching up with each other, laughing, and moving through the flow of their regular morning routines, yet something felt different today. Conversations dropped into hushed tones as he passed, heads subtly turning his way, though he tried to ignore it.
"Hey, look it's him," one student whispered to his friend beside him.
"Lucian? I heard he rejected Avey's proposal yesterday," the other replied, his tone tinged with surprise. He hadn't been there but was eager for the details.
