Chapter 2 Shadows Behind His Smile

The Monday morning sun poured through the dusty windows of Linwood University's main hall, casting golden hues over the polished floors. Amara Cole stood silently near the notice board, her long lashes fluttering as she scanned the list of assigned project partners for Professor Hammond's media class.

Her name was there-Amara Cole.

Right next to it: Lucian Blake.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Lucian Blake. The same boy who smiled like he had no past, flirted like he owned the world, and walked through campus like secrets followed behind him like shadows. Of all people... why him?

"This should be interesting," a familiar voice said beside her.

She turned. It was Remi, her roommate and the only person who knew about her accidental run-in with Lucian the other night.

"You're blushing," Remi teased, a sly grin playing on her lips. "Should I remind you that he's practically allergic to commitment?"

Amara rolled her eyes, even though her heart betrayed her by skipping a beat. "It's just a project."

"Mm-hmm," Remi hummed knowingly. "A project with the guy who made three girls cry last semester."

Before Amara could reply, a warm breeze stirred behind her, accompanied by the faint scent of cedarwood and spice. She didn't have to turn to know it was him.

Lucian.

"Looks like we're stuck together, sunshine," his smooth voice wrapped around her like velvet.

Amara finally turned to face him, lifting her chin. "Just don't expect me to carry the whole project."

Lucian's eyes twinkled, a lazy grin spreading across his face. "Wouldn't dream of it. But if you insist on spending extra hours with me, I won't complain."

He winked. Bold. Carefree. Dangerous.

Amara gave him a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I work best at the library. Tomorrow, four p.m."

She walked off before he could say another word, but she could feel his eyes on her back-watching, reading her like an unopened book.

---

Later that night, Amara stared at the ceiling of her dorm room, replaying the scene over and over.

Why him?

She didn't have time for distractions. She came to Linwood to prove herself-to break out of the shell her family's expectations had boxed her into. Lucian was everything she wasn't supposed to get close to. He was unpredictable, messy... tempting.

But even as she tried to shove the thought away, a small, treacherous part of her whispered:

What if the person hiding the most... sees you better than anyone ever has?