Iris stormed through the empty school hallway, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Her silver-white hair, usually sleek and perfect, was slightly disheveled from frustration. Strands of it fell over her sharp violet eyes, which burned with anger and hurt. She clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms as she replayed the scene in her head.
Jade. Her boyfriend. No—her ex-boyfriend.
She had caught him in the courtyard, arms lazily wrapped around another girl, whispering things to her that Iris had once believed were meant for her alone. Her stomach twisted at the memory. How could she have been so blind? The realization stung, but she swallowed it down, refusing to let tears show on her face.
Breathe, Iris. You're better than this.
But before she could calm herself, she rounded the corner too quickly—
And slammed straight into someone.
"Ugh—!" Iris stumbled backward, barely catching her balance.
A low chuckle echoed in front of her. Smooth, amused.
"Well, well," a familiar voice purred. "In a hurry to run someone over?"
Iris looked up, her glare locking onto the boy in front of her.
Lucien.
He stood lazily, hands in his pockets, his sharp violet eyes practically glowing under the dim hallway lights. His tousled reddish-pink hair fell messily over his face, slightly covering the cross earring dangling from his ear. He was dressed in his usual dark uniform, a loosened tie hanging around his collar like he couldn't be bothered to fix it. Everything about him screamed effortless, untouchable confidence.
And it annoyed her.
"Watch where you're going," Iris snapped, taking a step back.
Lucien smirked. "You walked into me, princess. Should I be the one watching out for you?"
His voice was dripping with playful mockery, but something about his expression made her pause.
For the briefest moment—before his smirk settled into place—Iris caught something. A flicker of something empty in his eyes. Like the mask had slipped. Like he had forgotten to pretend for just a second.
Fake.
But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. Lucien tilted his head, watching her closely, amusement dancing in his gaze.
"You're staring," he mused. "Falling for me already?"
Iris scoffed. "I'd rather fall off a cliff."
Lucien chuckled. "Harsh."
She turned, fully ready to leave, but his voice stopped her.
"You look like someone who just got her heart shattered."
Her body stiffened.
She slowly turned her head, meeting his gaze.
Lucien smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Hit the mark, didn't I?"
Iris hated how accurate he was. How easily he could see through people. She forced her expression to stay neutral, refusing to let him see how much his words struck her.
"Mind your own business, Lucien," she muttered, stepping past him.
Lucien let her go, his smirk still lingering. But as she disappeared down the hallway, something strange happened.
A faint warmth crawled up his neck, a blush threatening to creep onto his face.
He blinked.
What… was that?
Shaking his head, he stuffed his hands back into his pockets and turned the other way, rolling his eyes at himself.
"Interesting," he muttered under his breath.
And for the first time in a long time, someone had actually caught his attention.