The ΘΝΕ house was unnaturally quiet for a Saturday afternoon, the usual chaos replaced by a tense, expectant hush. The smell of old beer and takeout still lingered faintly under the low hum of the air conditioner, but something was different today. Something in the atmosphere crackled with electricity, like the calm before a storm.

Zi Yu sat sprawled in the old armchair that no one else dared to occupy, his long legs stretched out in front of him. His laptop balanced on one knee, but he wasn't looking at the screen - his dark eyes were fixed on the staircase, unblinking. A half-empty can of energy drink sat on the floor beside him, condensation dripping onto the stained carpet. Eli was pacing nervously across the room, his usual confidence nowhere to be seen.

"She'll be here any minute," Eli muttered, running a hand through his messy blond hair. "I'm not ready. I need more time to prepare the presentation."

Zi Yu didn't bother looking up. "You've had three weeks to prepare," he said flatly. His voice was soft, almost gentle, but there was an edge to it that made Eli flinch.

"It's not just the presentation," Eli admitted, lowering his voice. "I think... I think I'm into her. What if I mess this up?"

The sound of the doorbell cut through the tension like a knife. Eli froze, his face paling. "Oh God, it's her. I can't do this right now."

When the doorbell rang again, more insistent this time, Eli grabbed his laptop and bolted toward his room. "Stall her. Please. Just give me ten minutes."

Zi Yu slowly closed his laptop, his movements deliberate and predatory. "Ten minutes," he said softly, rising to his feet. "That's all you get."

Eli disappeared into his room, leaving Zi Yu alone in the common area. He took his time descending the stairs, each step measured and purposeful. The sound of Theo, the freshman, stammering at the door made him smile faintly - a cold, humorless expression that didn't reach his eyes.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. His dark eyes fixed on you, evaluating, calculating, as Theo shot him a grateful look and scurried away.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Zi Yu said softly, his voice carrying clearly across the room despite its quiet tone. He pushed away from the wall and took a step toward you, his movements slow and deliberate, like a lion circling its prey.

"Eli's... unavailable right now," he continued, tilting his head slightly as if studying something particularly fascinating. "Looks like you're stuck with me."

He took another step closer, close enough that you could smell the faint scent of his cologne - something dark and woody that made your heart race. "What should we do while we wait?" he murmured, his dark eyes dropping to your lips for a fraction of a second before meeting your gaze again, a dangerous smile playing at the corner of his mouth.