Dorian woke to sunlight and the phantom feeling of being watched.
He sat up too fast, scanning the room. Tyler was still asleep, mouth open, snoring softly. Marcus's bed was empty. Kyle was curled in the corner, buried under blankets.
Just a normal morning.
He exhaled and checked the system.
QUEST PACK: "MULTI-TARGET"
4A: LIP SERVICE - COMPLETE (MAYA)
4B: PRIVATE ACCESS - INCOMPLETE
4C: PUBLIC CLAIM - INCOMPLETE
4D: OVERNIGHT STAY - INCOMPLETE
TIME REMAINING: 3 DAYS, 15 HOURS
Sunday morning. The party was last night. He'd chased a ghost through the parking lot, and someone was still out there watching.
Who was that?
His first thought was Eli. The kid from the library. The one whose ring he'd stolen. It made sense—he wanted it back. He knew about the system. He'd warned him.
But where was Eli? Dorian hadn't seen him since that night outside the dorm.
He needed answers.
---
The library was quiet, as always. Sunday morning meant fewer students, more empty tables. Dorian scanned the familiar corners, the carrels, the study rooms. No Eli. He approached the front desk.
"Excuse me. Do you know a student named Eli? Short guy, glasses, always studies here?"
The librarian—a middle-aged woman with reading glasses—looked up. "Last name?"
"I don't know."
She gave him a look. "First name only? We have hundreds of students."
"He was here a lot. A few weeks ago."
She typed something into her computer. "No one by that first name in our system. Sorry."
Dorian's stomach dropped. Not in the system?
---
He tried the registrar's office next. Closed on Sundays. Of course.
Back in the dorm, he found Kyle in his usual corner, eating chips and watching something on his laptop.
"Hey." Dorian sat on his bed. "You know a guy named Eli? Short, nerdy, glasses?"
Kyle looked up, startled—he always looked startled when Dorian spoke to him. "Eli who?"
"That's the problem. I don't know his last name."
Kyle blinked. "That's like asking if I know 'Steve.' Campus is full of Steves."
Dorian resisted the urge to sigh. "Have you seen anyone matching that description? Around the library? The dorms?"
Kyle thought about it. Really thought about it. Dorian could see the gears turning.
"No," Kyle said finally. "Sorry."
Useless.
---
He found Tyler and Marcus in the dining hall for brunch. Tyler was attacking a plate of pancakes. Marcus sat across from him, nursing coffee, observing everything.
Dorian grabbed food and joined them. "Hey."
Tyler looked up, mouth full. "Mmph."
Marcus nodded. "Morning."
They ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes. Dorian's mind was still on Eli, on the texter, on the chase. But he had other priorities.
Three days, fifteen hours. He had Sarah for 4C. Maya was done. Jenna was the obvious choice for 4B. And for 4D... he'd figure that out later.
He needed Jenna's number.
"Hey Tyler." Dorian kept his voice casual. "You have Jenna's number?"
Tyler's fork paused. "Jenna? From the party? Why?"
Dorian had prepared for this. "Planning a surprise for Sarah. Need Jenna's help."
Tyler's face lit up. "Oh, dude, that's sweet!" He pulled out his phone, scrolled, then frowned. "Actually, I don't have it. But Kim—one of her roommates—she's in my comms class. I can try to get it for you."
"How long?"
"I'll text her." Tyler typed. "She says she'll give it to me tomorrow if I bring her coffee."
Dorian's jaw tightened. Tomorrow was too long. "Where does she get coffee? I'll bring it today."
Tyler grinned. "Dude, you really love Sarah, huh?"
Dorian forced a smile. "Yeah. Really love her."
Marcus glanced at him but said nothing.
---
An hour later, Dorian waited outside the student union with two coffees. Kim emerged with a group of friends. He stepped forward.
"Kim? Hey."
She blinked. "You're Tyler's roommate, right?"
"Yeah. Dorian. Brought you coffee."
Kim took it, amused. "Let me guess—Tyler was supposed to bring this himself but sent you instead?"
"Something like that. Also need a favor. Jenna's number. For a surprise I'm planning for Sarah."
Kim's eyebrows went up. "For Sarah? That's cute." She pulled out her phone. "Here. Tell Jen I said hi."
Dorian saved the number. "Thanks."
He stared at the screen. Ten digits. A direct line to completing 4B.
He waited five minutes. Didn't want to seem desperate.
Then he typed.
---
Dorian: Hey Jenna, it's Dorian, Sarah's boyfriend. Got your number from Kim.
Three dots appeared. Disappeared. Appeared again.
His heart hammered.
Jenna: Dorian! Hey! Kim mentioned you might text. What's up?
Dorian: I'm planning something for Sarah. You know her better than I do. Was hoping you could help with ideas?
Jenna: For Sarah? That's sweet. I'd love to help. Today's crazy though—club stuff all afternoon.
Dorian: Any chance later? Even just 30 minutes? I'm kind of on a timeline.
Jenna: You're persistent. I like that. Okay, maybe 7? I'll be dead tired but I can do 30.
Dorian: 7 works. Where should I meet you?
Jenna: My place? Roommates will be out. We can actually talk without interruptions.
Dorian's heart stopped.
Her place. Alone. 7pm.
Dorian: Perfect. See you then.
He set the phone down, breathing hard.
Now I just need to get in her bedroom for 30 minutes.
---
The dining hall had filled up while he was gone. Tyler and Marcus were still there. Dorian slid back into his seat.
Then the room shifted.
A group entered. Tristan in the center, flanked by two friends—both handsome, but clearly orbiting him. They moved with an ease that commanded attention. Heads turned. Conversations paused.
And behind them, walking with two other girls, was Chloe.
Dorian's breath caught.
She was laughing, hair catching the light, looking exactly like she had in high school—untouchable, perfect. But now she was walking behind Tristan. Watching him. Trying to get closer to his group.
Tristan laughed at something one of his friends said. Easy. Confident. Like he owned the place. Chloe laughed too, a beat too late, angling herself nearer to him.
"Man," Tyler muttered, "imagine being that guy."
Marcus grunted. "He's going pro, you know. Gaming. Already has sponsors."
Dorian watched them claim a table near the window. Chloe sat close to Tristan—not next to him, but close enough. She said something, and he nodded, smiled, returned to his food like it was nothing.
Like her attention meant nothing.
That's what I'm supposed to become.
LEVEL 5. Then Chloe notices me. Then everyone.
He checked the time. 2 p.m. Five hours until Jenna.
---
His afternoon crawled. He tried to study, couldn't focus. His mind kept replaying the scene—Chloe fawning over Tristan, Tristan barely acknowledging her.
She's not interested in him. She's interested in his status. His looks. His confidence.
I can have that. I will have that.
His phone buzzed.
Sarah: Miss you. Want to grab dinner tonight? That Thai place?
Dorian: Can't tonight. Study group with Tyler. Big exam coming up.
Sarah: On a Sunday?
Dorian: Yeah, prof is insane. Tomorrow?
Sarah: Okay. Miss you. ❤️
He stared at the heart emoji and shoved the phone in his pocket.
---
At 6:45, Dorian stood outside Jenna's building, sweating despite the cool evening.
He'd changed three times. Jeans, a clean hoodie. Not trying too hard.
Just friendly. For Sarah's surprise.
He climbed the stairs. Knocked.
Jenna opened the door and Dorian's brain immediately went offline.
She was wearing a thin singlet that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Her breasts pressed against the fabric. Bum shorts. Hair piled messily on top of her head. She looked like she'd just rolled out of bed.
"Hey!" She smiled. "Come in. Fair warning, I'm exhausted. Club stuff ran late and I haven't changed."
You changed plenty.
Dorian's mouth moved. "No problem. Thanks for doing this."
The apartment was quiet. String lights still up from the party.
"Roommates are out," Jenna said, leading him to the living room. "Movie night. So it's just us."
Just us.
They sat on the couch. Jenna curled her legs under her. Dorian looked at the wall.
"So." She turned to face him. "Sarah's surprise. What ideas have you come up with?"
Dorian scrambled. "I've been thinking about what you told me before—the things she likes. Sunflowers, Thai food, cats. I was thinking maybe a picnic?"
Jenna tilted her head. "A picnic's cute. But you need something personal."
They talked for ten minutes. Jenna offered suggestions—a playlist, a handwritten letter, a small piece of jewelry. Dorian took mental notes.
4B TIMER: Not started. Still in living room.
He needed to get to her bedroom. But how?
"Can I use your bathroom?" he asked.
Jenna pointed. "Down the hall, first door."
He walked slowly. The bathroom was small, clean. He washed his hands, took deep breaths. On the way back, he noticed her bedroom door was slightly ajar. Through the gap, he could see a cool band poster on the wall inside.
He called out toward the living room: "Hey, is that your room? That poster's sick."
Jenna's voice floated back: "Yeah. Old band, you probably haven't heard of them."
"I have, actually." He hadn't. "Mind if I take a look?"
"Sure, no problem."
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Her bedroom was feminine. Soft. Her bed against the wall, a desk with textbooks, clothes draped over a chair. The poster was indeed cool.
And on her bed, a stuffed animal rabbit wearing a tiny sweater.
Then Jenna appeared in the doorway behind him and walked past to sit on her desk chair.
4B TIMER STARTED: 0:00
"That's Mr. Fluffernutter. Don't judge."
"I'm not judging." He picked it up. "He's... very distinguished."
"He appreciates that."
She laughed. The movement drew his eyes. He looked away quickly.
4B TIMER: 5 minutes
Dorian sat on the edge of her bed without thinking. Jenna raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
"So," Jenna said, "the picnic idea. You're really putting thought into this."
"She deserves it."
Jenna studied him. "You know, most guys wouldn't put this much effort in."
"Most guys are idiots."
She laughed. "True."
4B TIMER: 12 minutes
"Hey." Jenna pulled out her phone. "I saw this bracelet the other day. Thought it might be something Sarah would like." She moved to sit next to him on the bed, close enough that her shoulder pressed against his. "Look."
She showed him a photo. Silver bracelet with a small sunflower charm.
Dorian nodded. "That's perfect. Where'd you find it?"
"Online store. I'll send you the link." She didn't move away. Her thigh was warm against his.
4B TIMER: 18 minutes
They scrolled through her phone, looking at other options. Jenna pointed, laughed, occasionally touched his arm.
4B TIMER: 24 minutes
"Can I ask you something?" Her voice was softer.
"Sure."
"If you weren't with Sarah..." She paused. "Would you ever go for someone like me?"
Dorian's brain short-circuited. "I—that's—you're—"
She laughed, pulling back slightly. "I'm just messing with you."
4B TIMER: 28 minutes
Then—
Knock. Knock. Knock. On the apartment door.
Jenna frowned. "Who's that?" She stood. "Be right back."
She left the room. Dorian sat frozen on her bed.
4B TIMER PAUSED: 28 minutes
He heard the front door open. Mumbled voices. Footsteps approaching.
Jenna returned, followed by Rachel.
Rachel's eyes went straight to Dorian on the bed. Her eyebrows shot up. A slow, knowing smile spread across her face.
"Oh," Rachel said. "I see how it is."
Jenna rolled her eyes. "It's not like that. He's planning a surprise for Sarah."
"Sure he is." Rachel grabbed her charger from the desk, gave Dorian one last amused look, and left.
The door clicked shut.
Jenna sighed. "Sorry about that. She's impossible."
She sat back down next to him.
4B TIMER RESET: 0:00
Dorian's heart sank. Twenty-eight minutes. Wiped out.
He needed thirty more minutes. From scratch.
Think. Keep her talking. Don't let her leave.
"So," he said quickly, "you mentioned club stuff earlier. What club are you in?"
Jenna blinked at the sudden question but answered. "Event planning committee. It's chaos. You don't want to know."
"No, tell me." He leaned forward, engaged. "What kind of events?"
She launched into a story about a fundraiser that went wrong, a DJ who didn't show, a cake that collapsed. She was animated, gesturing, laughing. He nodded, asked questions, kept her talking.
4B TIMER: 5 minutes
4B TIMER: 12 minutes
4B TIMER: 18 minutes
4B TIMER: 24 minutes
His phone buzzed. Sarah again.
Sarah: Hey, where are you? Study group still going?
He typed back one-handed while maintaining eye contact with Jenna.
Dorian: Yeah, almost done. Talk soon.
4B TIMER: 29 minutes
4B TIMER: 30 minutes - COMPLETE
Relief flooded through him. He did it.
Jenna was still mid-story. "—and then the cake just fell. Like, in slow motion. I've never laughed so hard."
Dorian forced a laugh. "That's insane. I should probably head out though—it's getting late."
Jenna glanced at the time. "Oh wow, yeah." She stood, walked him to the door.
At the door, she hugged him. Warm. Lingering.
"Text me," she said. "If you need more help."
"I will."
He stepped into the hallway. The door closed behind him.
He leaned against the wall, breathing hard.
4B COMPLETE. Two down. Two to go.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown: Nice work. Jenna's bedroom. Rachel's a witness now.
Dorian's blood went cold.
Unknown: But your girlfriend's faster than you thought.
Unknown: Look down.
He looked down the stairwell.
Sarah was standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Looking up at him.
Her expression was calm. Too calm.
"Dorian."
His mouth opened. Nothing came out.
"I went to the library," she said slowly. "To surprise you. Since you were studying with Tyler on a Sunday."
Each word was a knife.
"You weren't there. So I went to the dorm. Tyler was there. Playing video games. Alone."
She climbed one step. Then another.
"Were you with Jenna?"
She was on the landing now. Close. Too close.
Dorian's brain screamed. Lie. Say something. Anything.
"I—she's helping me with—"
"With what?"
He opened his mouth.
His phone buzzed again.
He didn't look down. He didn't need to.
Sarah's eyes were on him. Unblinking.
Waiting for an answer.
[END OF CHAPTER 7]