did you really just?

Lucian sat on the far corner of the back bench, his head bent low as he pretended to scroll aimlessly through his phone, using it as a shield from the world. His jaw clenched and his fingers tightened around the phone, the faint tremor in his hands betraying his otherwise stoic facade. He had carefully chosen this corner, away from anyone who might disturb his fragile calm. But his heart sank when he heard a familiar voice.

"Lucy... mind if we sit here?" Avey's voice was soft, barely more than a whisper, as if she feared even approaching him.

Without lifting his gaze, Lucian replied coldly, "No. I'd rather you didn't." His words were firm, but his tone cracked just slightly enough that only he noticed. He was trying, desperately, to protect himself from falling back into the same emotional trap.