For half the day, Tristan stayed quiet.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWtNGHyr4RI
"Happiness..." he kept thinking to himself as he sat through class after class, turning that word over in his mind. It felt strange, almost like something he didn't fully understand.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7OVwBrp1f
Tristan made sure to always sit in the back to avoid drawing attention to Loraura, but it didn't always work. Some teachers asked who she was, and one teacher kept giving Loraura a doubtful look.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2I3AGOFtl
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxs39x7XYvk
"This can't be good," Tristan whispered, glancing at Loraura. But she seemed too focused on the lesson to notice, which made Tristan smile a little.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyVtCH86en
"Happiness, huh?" Tristan thought again, glancing at Loraura's smile.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0GE0Zj1Ee
The bell rang, and as Tristan stood up to grab his bag, he noticed Mr. Samuel Fletcher, his stern-faced teacher, heading straight toward him. Mr. Fletcher's hands were clasped behind his back, and his expression was as serious as ever.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAIAFgO7CC
"This really can't be good," Tristan muttered to himself. "Hello, sir. Thanks for the class," he added with a forced smile.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn90IG4hodx
"Gratitude?" Mr. Fletcher raised an eyebrow. "That's not something I'd expect from someone barely passing my class," he said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVxkRpEdBr
Tristan laughed nervously, feeling small under Mr. Fletcher's sharp gaze.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGJbWraXXr
"And who might this be?" Mr. Fletcheri asked, his eyes narrowing as they shifted to Loraura.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28aYACutgx
Tristan quickly stepped forward. "Uh, this is my friend Loraura..."
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRCrQMf5Ad
"Loraura? That's an unusual name," Mr. Fletcher remarked, his gaze never leaving her.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqdSmwGUYut
"She's from out of town, just checking out the college to see if it's the right fit for her," Tristan said, trying to sound convincing.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmeEkE2Pf5
Mr. Fletcher turned his attention back to Tristan, then to Loraura. "Is that so... and what do you think?" he asked Loraura directly.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNygaDErzM
Loraura's smile remained as she met Mr. Fletcher's eyes. "I had such a good time listening to your lecture and engaging in your class. It would be an honor to study here."
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX2UUunVvy
"Oh, would you?" Mr. Fletcher replied, his tone tinged with skepticism as he studied her more closely.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNHbAkJhYz
Mr. Fletcher turned back to Tristan and Loraura, his expression softening slightly. "Well, if you ever decide this is the place for you, young lady, you'll have to apply yourself just like everyone else. But if you do, I hope to see you in my class," he said with a nod before walking away, already pulling out a stack of papers to review.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yTwMHfLbC
As Tristan watched Mr. Fletcher disappear down the hallway, he shook his head in disbelief. "I don't think I've ever seen that man smile," he muttered, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDh0XzVayHe
Loraura glanced back at Mr. Fletcher, who was now meticulously going over his paperwork, each stroke of his pen deliberate and careful. "He's so dedicated to his work," she said softly, her smile growing even wider. "There's a quiet beauty in that kind of devotion. It's like he's creating something meaningful with every word he writes."
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKboyKkQLaE
As they walked out of the classroom, Loraura's gaze lingered on Mr. Fletcher for a moment longer. "It's amazing how much love he pours into what he does, even if it's not always easy to see," she added, her voice filled with admiration.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurMvSfUPkD
"Did you say something, Loraura?" Tristan asked, turning his head slightly towards her.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfuGPCSgCN
"No, not at all," Loraura replied with a light laugh, falling in step behind him as they made their way out of the classroom.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm1sfugCoF
The afternoon sun bathed the campus in a warm glow as they walked together, the chatter of students filling the air.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNTLBQMHpd
The chatter around them made Tristan uneasy, his discomfort growing with each step. He couldn't help but notice how everyone seemed to stare at Loraura, their eyes drawn to her as if she were some kind of rare jewel. It wasn't just a passing glance; it was an intense, almost reverent attention that made him wish they could slip away unnoticed.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLk8dhPhoM
Tristan began to hate walking on campus. Wherever they went, students were captivated by Loraura's otherworldly beauty, and it made him feel out of place, as if they were intruders in a world that wasn't theirs.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaBanlGCXZs
"Tristan?" Loraura's voice broke through his thoughts.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAEnuQQZ47
"Hm?" Tristan turned to face her, trying to push aside the unease gnawing at him.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv3mdHcZKM
Loraura glanced around, her eyes wide with concern. "It seems we're receiving a lot of attention..."
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuE8LsBVGrI
"Yeah, I guess we are..." Tristan replied, following her gaze to the groups of students whispering and staring.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZe5eQXs5iU
Suddenly, Loraura gripped Tristan's hands tightly, her expression shifting from curiosity to alarm. "Tristan! Do you think this strange phenomenon means something bad is going to happen to you?" she asked, her voice trembling with worry.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRlCErUTmhy
"Uh, I think something is more likely to happen to you," Tristan said with a nervous laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8yPpYoq9V5
Loraura looked at him, confusion clouding her features. The idea that the attention was directed at her seemed foreign, as if she couldn't comprehend why so many people would be so fascinated by her presence.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSTGmbeyVP
Tristan gently placed his hand on Loraura's shoulder. "Don't worry about it, okay?"
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDwTF8mQjC
Loraura was quiet as she looked into Tristan's calm eyes, and after a moment, her smile slowly returned.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjltYSObFuJ
"Uh..." Tristan suddenly jumped slightly, a chill running down his spine. Sweat started to form on his forehead, and deep down, he knew something was coming. "Oh no..."
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhlDF2sbU3
"Tristan? What's wrong?" Loraura asked, stepping closer.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlUJCRGfwL
"It's her," Tristan said, his voice filled with dread.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ5gUqfMXX
A collective gasp rose from the students around them, causing Tristan to turn his head.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlXbJhWSso
There she was—a woman with long blonde hair curled into two matching twin tails, wearing a green button-down top with a black bow tie, and a black skirt that flowed around her legs.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFPgxJqOw6
"Oh great..." Tristan muttered as he watched the girl stand among a crowd of people swooning over her.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyemEkXAr2q
"Who's that?" Loraura asked.
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMTQ9JIRQx6
"That's... the girl with all the looks, the Queen of Oakbury University, Christina August," Tristan said, rubbing his head in irritation.
***
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ORyj11zqg
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooxJKvzuHT
137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhPFTj8jf7X
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.