Zane was in a foul mood.
Not because the cafeteria was louder than a marketplace on fire. Not because half the boys were making fools of themselves in front of the influx of girls forced into the boys' dorm.
No.
It was because Mira was a certified Teddy Girl who had robbed him of his most sacred possession last night: sleep.
The whole night, she clung to him like he was some life-sized stuffed toy. The more he tried to wiggle away, the tighter she held. By dawn, Zane's only prayer was for unconsciousness.
So here he sat, blindfold on, eating breakfast like it had personally wronged him.
Around him? Madness. Boys were practically on their knees, tripping over themselves for attention. Serenading, juggling food, throwing terrible compliments. Some had even blindfolded themselves, imitating Zane's mysterious "Dorm God" act.
Zane ignored all of it. To him, every girl was a brick wall. Even the prettiest ones weren't prettier than eight hours of uninterrupted rest.
Then silence rippled through the cafeteria.
She arrived.
Lady Celeste Arkwright. Noble-born, dazzling, the kind of beauty that made people forget to breathe. Rumor said her family controlled half the trading routes in the western continent.
And now she was standing at Zane's table.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice smooth and commanding, "may I sit here?"
The cafeteria froze.
Mira looked between Zane and Celeste.
Asher leaned forward, practically vibrating.
Every boy stared, ready to witness a legendary moment.
Zane, without looking up from his food, muttered, "No."
The entire room gasped.
"No?" Celeste repeated, a rare crack in her perfect composure. "Did you just deny me?"
"Yeah." Zane stabbed another bite. "Chair's fine. You're not."
Whispers exploded.
"The Dorm God denied her!"
"He even rejects nobles!"
"He's unstoppable!"
But instead of leaving, Celeste smiled faintly, as if intrigued, and sat down right beside him anyway.
Asher immediately tried his luck. "So, Lady Celeste, it's an honor. I've heard of the Arkwright name, and if you ever need—"
She ignored him. Her gaze never left Zane.
Asher blinked, lips parting like a fish. Then he muttered under his breath, "Every damn time…" and with a flick of his hand, opened a shimmering portal beside himself and stepped through, vanishing in a swirl of light.
Mira smirked into her food.
The cafeteria murmured louder.
And Zane? He just sighed, tired and hungry, and muttered, "All I wanted was breakfast."