The sky had shifted to a soft violet, streaked with gold along the horizon.
Students filtered across the quad, heading to dorms, late classes, or nowhere in particular.
Noel pushed the door open and stepped out first, the cooler air brushing against his face.
He exhaled slowly, adjusting the strap of his bag as Luca followed behind, stretching like he'd just survived a prison sentence.
"God, that place is a vacuum," Luca groaned. "How do you not lose your soul in there?"
Noel didn't miss a beat. "Maybe I never had one to begin with."
Luca let out a bark of laughter. "Okay, Dracula."
Noel gave him a look, dry and unimpressed. "I'm not the one who followed me into the academic void without even a book."
"I brought vibes," Luca said, hand to his chest in mock offense. "That counts for something."
Noel shook his head, hiding a small smile. "You brought your entire lack of preparation."
