Talon skipped his lectures that morning. Tuition didn't pay itself, and an extra shift meant the difference between staying in school and getting kicked out. Calling his parents wasn't an option; if he did, they'd guilt him into sending what little savings he had back home instead.
It was Friday. His plan was simple: day shift at the restaurant, night shift at the bar. No breaks, no excuses.
Life was never easy for Talon. The customers he served lived carefree, golden lives; his own was tangled, demanding, and heavier than most of them could ever imagine.
Still, the mirror told a different story. He looked nothing like the life he lived. His raven-black hair was combed neatly back and tied in a bun, his emerald-green eyes caught the light and glittered with sharp mischief, and his sculpted face gave him the kind of presence most men envied. The crisp white shirt, black trousers, and waistcoat gave him the air of a man who had it all.
He sighed. If only looks could pay rent.
Most of the guys on campus wanted to be him. Talon, meanwhile, just wanted enough money to stop clawing his way through every day.
He adjusted his shirt and stepped out of the changing room.
"Hey, Talon!" Chloe—one of his coworkers and, admittedly, one of his closest friends—ran up to him. She slipped her hand into his and leaned against his arm as they walked toward the counter to sign in.
"How are you doing, hun?" she asked with a grin that was far from innocent.
Talon's body reacted despite himself when she bit her lip, but his expression didn't budge. He rolled his eyes and picked up the pen to sign his name, pretending she wasn't deliberately trying to get a rise out of him.
The restaurant shift flew by. The moment it ended, Talon caught the first bus to the club, arriving just in time to clock in for the night. He even scored a bonus for showing up early.
He swapped into his casuals—a deep-blue shirt, black jeans, and a pair of palms—and made his way to the counter.
Ptq
"Hey, Talon!" Dorian's voice cut through the chatter as he bounded toward him, waving a sheet of paper like a flag. By the time he reached him, he was panting like a horse that had run out of stamina points.
"Guess what I got?" Dorian wheezed, grinning.
Talon didn't even look up as he pulled a rag from the counter and started wiping down the tables. "Um, AIDS?"
Dorian froze, blinked, and then scowled. "Come on, I always use protection."
Talon raised a brow. "So… gonorrhea?"
"Fine! I'll just tell you." Dorian shoved the paper at him.
Talon finally glanced down—and his hand slapped over his mouth. "No way."
"Yes way," Dorian said, practically bouncing. "Limited edition PS5 Ultra."
Talon groaned. "You could've done something useful with that money."
"I told you to let me cover your tuition, didn't I?" Dorian folded his arms, eyebrow arched.
Before Talon could snap back, Chloe's voice rang across the bar. "Talon!!"
"Oh, God." He rolled his eyes and busied himself arranging bottles on the shelf.
"Hey, Chloe." Dorian leaned closer. "Where's Agatha?"
"She's outside, lover boy. She'll be here soon." Chloe's eyes lingered on Talon, though—her grin softening into something dreamy.
Dorian waved the sheet at her. "Guess what I got?"
"What—AIDS?" Chloe blinked.
Dorian threw his hands up. "Seriously?!"
She smirked. "Okay, what is it?"
"PS5 Ultra!" he declared.
Agatha strode in just in time to hear. Her hands hit her hips. "You got a PS5 Ultra? At what cost?!"
Dorian shrank a little, suddenly outnumbered, and glanced at Talon for backup. But Talon didn't so much as turn his head.
"Sup, guys?" Silas appeared, grinning.
"Dorian got a PS5 Ultra," Agatha announced.
"No way," Silas said. "That's cool. Hey, I heard Lucien got the other one."
"There!" Dorian exclaimed, pointing. "Finally, someone who appreciates me!"
"There's your salvation," Talon muttered, still not looking up.
Chloe sighed, staring at Talon like he'd hung the moon. "Oh, my love…"
"Guys, look—it's Draven," Silas said as another figure joined them.
"Hey, Draven," the girls chimed together.
"Guess what Dorian got?" Silas smirked.
Draven raised a brow. "AIDS?"
"WHAT?!" Dorian shrieked.
Everyone burst into laughter. Even Agatha had to hold her stomach.
"Guys," Talon said flatly, finally turning with a tray in his hand, "I'm trying to work here." He shot them a quick glare, then went right back to arranging glasses.
"You're so handsome," Chloe sighed dreamily.
"Seriously, let's cut him some slack," Agatha said through her laughter.
"He's always refusing our help," Silas added. "What are friends for?"
Talon sighed and rolled his eyes again. They would never understand.