Chapter Five: Unexpected Encounters
The next morning, I arrived at the training center earlier than usual, trying to get a head start on the day's tasks. The hallways were quiet, with only the faint echo of my footsteps and the distant hum of students arriving. Even at this hour, Lucas was already there, leaning against the wall with that familiar grin, casually flipping through a stack of papers as if he had nothing better to do.
I tried to ignore him, signing in and arranging my notes. But of course, he noticed. He always did.
"Early bird, huh?" he called, his voice carrying lightly across the hall.
I looked up, feigning annoyance. "I like being prepared. Unlike some people."
He smirked and shrugged. "Touché. I'll let that slide today."
I shook my head and headed toward our usual table, only to find a familiar face beside him. A boy, maybe a year older, with a confident stance and a wide, friendly smile. Lucas waved him over.
"Rose, meet Ethan," Lucas said casually, as if introducing me to an old friend. "My partner in mischief… sometimes."
I nodded politely. "Hi. Nice to meet you."
Ethan grinned and extended his hand. "Likewise. Lucas talks about you sometimes."
I raised an eyebrow. "Does he now?"
Lucas smirked, clearly enjoying the small exchange. "Only nice things. Mostly."
Ethan chuckled. "Mostly."
I took a seat beside them, feeling a mixture of curiosity and mild wariness. Lucas's friends usually seemed… chaotic, like him, and I had learned to expect the unexpected. But Ethan was different. Calm, friendly, and surprisingly grounded. He immediately struck up a conversation about the project, asking questions about our research, our approach, and even offering a few suggestions.
Lucas leaned back in his chair, watching the interaction with amusement. "See, Rose? Not everyone around me is a challenge. Some people are… normal."
I couldn't help smiling at that. Lucas had a way of making even ordinary introductions feel… charged, as if there was a game beneath every word.
Throughout the morning, the three of us worked together. Lucas continued his teasing, occasionally nudging me or tossing playful comments, while Ethan offered steady, practical input. I found myself observing Lucas more closely than usual—how he interacted with someone he clearly considered a friend, the way his teasing softened slightly, the subtle respect in his tone when Ethan made a point.
It was strange to see this side of him. The confident, playful Lucas I knew existed alongside a quieter, more attentive version of himself that only appeared around friends he trusted. And somehow, seeing him this way made me… curious. Not in a romantic sense, not yet—but curious all the same.
At one point, Ethan nudged Lucas gently. "You're actually being serious about this one. Who is this girl?"
Lucas laughed, leaning back in his chair with that easy confidence. "She's Rose. Organized, focused… stubborn, too. Good combination for a project. Keeps me on my toes."
I felt my cheeks warm slightly, but I refused to let it show. "I'm just doing my job," I said lightly.
Lucas's grin widened. "Of course, of course. But it's fun watching you work. You don't even notice it, do you?"
I looked down at my notebook, hiding the faint flutter of warmth that had risen in my chest. "I notice a lot more than you think," I muttered, almost to myself.
The rest of the morning passed in a steady rhythm. Lucas tossed playful comments, nudged both Ethan and me, and occasionally watched my reactions with that teasing spark in his eyes. Ethan remained calm, observant, and helpful—a steady anchor in the whirlwind that was Lucas.
By lunchtime, I realized that having Ethan around changed the dynamic in subtle ways. Lucas wasn't just the teasing, unpredictable partner I had been learning to navigate—he was someone with depth, someone who laughed, teased, and relaxed differently with someone he trusted. And for a fleeting moment, I wondered if Lucas allowed that same level of respect or attention for anyone else.
As we stepped outside for a break, the warm sun hitting my face felt like a gentle reminder of how grounded the campus was compared to the teasing chaos of Lucas. We found a bench under a small tree, and Lucas flopped down beside me. Ethan sat across, leaning casually against the bench.
"You know," Lucas said casually, watching me scribble in my notebook, "you're different from most people I meet. Not in a bad way. Just… interesting."
I raised an eyebrow. "Interesting?"
He shrugged, smirking. "You're calm, focused, stubborn… and you don't let me get away with everything. Keeps me on my toes."
I bit back a smile. "I'm sure that's exactly what you wanted—someone to challenge you."
He laughed softly, a sound that somehow felt genuine and easy in the sunlit moment. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like watching you concentrate. Don't overthink it."
I shook my head, glancing at Ethan. "You're enjoying this too much."
Lucas only winked. "Of course I am. But it's harmless. Mostly."
As the break ended and we returned to the hall, I felt a strange mix of curiosity and wariness. Lucas remained playful, teasing, and infuriatingly confident—but I had glimpsed a different side today. A side with a friend, a side that wasn't performing for attention, a side that was… just himself.
And though I wouldn't admit it aloud, it made me think that maybe working with him wasn't just about the project anymore. Maybe it was also about understanding him, slowly, cautiously, one moment at a time.