I Was Hoping She Would Notice but again Now When She Did... Im Tired

"Hey Parry, you think our 50 people are enough?" one of the lackeys muttered, trying to gauge the situation. "I mean, we can call more, right? Friends of friends, you know."

Parry shrugged, his face showing slight amusement. "Let’s keep them on standby. But I doubt Lucian has any connections like that. Not with the way his relationships are with his family and, well, everyone else." Parry smiled slyly. "I don’t think we’ll need backup for this. It’s just about putting a little fear in him, teaching him his place."

Lucian wasn’t paying attention to their conversation. He was focused on the call.

The phone rang twice before it connected. "Hello? Who’s this?" a familiar voice answered on the other side.

"Jimmy, it’s me, Lucian. Got a new phone and number."

"Lucian!" Jimmy’s voice softened, and Lucian could picture the familiar smirk on his friend’s face. "You didn’t tell me you changed your number. What’s up?"

"Add this number to your contacts. And, by the way, are you free?" Lucian asked, his tone nonchalant, as if there weren’t a group of students surrounding him, practically blocking his way. He leaned back slightly, letting his gaze drift over Parry’s crowd.

"Yeah, I’m free. Why, what’s up?" Jimmy asked, his tone turning curious.

"Oh, nothing big. Just some kids at college blocking my way, telling me to call my people. You know, the usual childish nonsense. Could’ve dealt with it myself, but I’m not in the mood today," Lucian replied, exhaling slowly, a hint of amusement in his voice.

On the other end, Jimmy chuckled. "Really? College kids? I’m surprised you’re calling me for something so small. But hey, sounds fun. I’ll be there in five."

"Thanks, and while you’re at it, let’s grab something to eat later. I’m in the mood tonight."

"Sure thing. See you in a bit," Jimmy said, cutting the call.

Lucian pocketed his phone, looking around the parking lot before spotting a small bench to sit on. With a relaxed sigh, he settled himself down as if the group surrounding him wasn’t worth a second thought.

Parry’s lackey looked confused, almost insulted. "Just one call? That’s it?" he muttered under his breath, glancing nervously at the rest of the group. "Is that all he’s got?"

Parry smirked, arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby car. "Yeah, I expected this. He doesn’t have many people to back him up, that much is obvious. No need to worry. We’re not here to fight anyone. We’re just here to scare him a little, make sure he knows he can’t pull stunts like today’s again."

The lackey nodded but still seemed wary. "But, Parry, what if this turns into something bigger?"

Parry shook his head, unfazed. "We’re not stupid enough to pick a fight with a Kane directly. But we can afford this little conflict. Look at how things are between Lucian and his family no one’s coming to his rescue. It’s not like the Kane family cares about him. Worst case, this won’t even make a dent.

Best case? We gain a little favor with the Starlight family, or some of the other families who hate Lucian’s guts."

His eyes gleamed with ambition. I can teach Lucian a lesson, humiliate him, and come out looking like the good guy, he thought. It’s a risky move, but the rewards could be huge. Plus, who wouldn’t want the reputation of putting the Kane kid in his place? One stone, two birds reputation and favor.

While Parry’s mind calculated the potential gains, Lucian sat, leaning back casually, as though he were lounging on a beach. He knew Jimmy would be here soon, and once Jimmy arrived, this whole situation would shift. He glanced around the parking lot again, noticing the growing crowd of onlookers first years, third years, and a few seniors hanging back, curious about what would unfold.

Seven or ten minutes had passed since Lucian made the call, and the tension in the parking lot began to grow. A small crowd had gathered, and Parry and his group were still eyeing Lucian, expecting something grand to happen. Lucian sat there, quietly watching the scene unfold, his mind filled with frustration. This is getting tiresome, he thought, his patience wearing thin.

Suddenly, a car entered the parking lot and rolled to a stop beside Lucian. It was a regular sedan, nothing flashy or attention-grabbing. Lucian glanced at it and sighed heavily. "Of course, that’s what he shows up in," Lucian muttered under his breath, rubbing his forehead in mild disappointment.

The door of the sedan opened, and a tall, muscular man stepped out. He was dressed casually just a loose T-shirt, old sweatpants, and slippers like he’d just rolled out of bed and made his way over. Lucian groaned, covering his face with his hand. "So much for a cool, intimidating entrance," he thought. "I’m gonna have to teach Jimmy how to make a proper entrance one of these days."

Jimmy, who had just gotten out of the car, didn’t even seem bothered by his casual appearance. He walked over to the passenger side, opened the door, and pulled out a large, old-looking brown bag. The bag had seen better days worn around the edges, faded in color, and clearly heavy by the way Jimmy carried it.

He swung the bag effortlessly, despite its weight, and walked over to Lucian, looking completely unbothered by the group of students watching him.

Parry and his group exchanged confused glances. "What the hell is that?" one of the boys muttered, eyes narrowing at the odd bag Jimmy was carrying.

Jimmy finally made his way over to Lucian, the two of them standing side by side. "Hey, Lucky, did you miss me?" Jimmy chuckled as he stopped in front of Lucian, grinning like they were in the middle of a casual hangout and not a potential showdown.

Lucian let out another sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Jimmy, I called you to help scare these kids off, and you show up like this?" Lucian gestured at Jimmy’s outfit with obvious disappointment. "No swag, no cool entry… just you and your old sedan. I was expecting at least 100 or 200 dudes, maybe a helicopter drop-in or something dramatic to really make an impression."

Jimmy rolled his eyes and grumbled, "Motherf You only gave me five minutes, man! What did you expect, a whole production? Besides, what’s wrong with my car?" He pointed toward the sedan parked a few feet away.

Lucian followed his finger and glanced at the car. His eyebrows twitched, and he shrugged. "Sure, it’s… fine. But you could’ve at least put in some effort. Now, how are you going to scare them? If you’d come in with a cool entrance, they’d already be running."

Meanwhile, Parry and his group watched the interaction, their lips twitching in disbelief. These guys can’t be serious, they thought. The talk between Lucian and Jimmy was so casual, as if they didn’t even care about the group standing in front of them.

"Leave it," Lucian sighed. "So, are we going to beat up these kids now? I already told you, I’m in a bad mood today."

Jimmy smirked, listening to Lucian’s complaints. "I’ve got a better idea to scare them off," he said, glancing at Lucian with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Hmm, show me what you’ve got," Lucian replied, still slightly disappointed about the lack of a dramatic entrance. "But I’ll say it again your entry wasn’t satisfying."

Jimmy chuckled and nodded, knowing Lucian’s mood had lightened, even if just a bit. At least he wasn’t brooding like the day before when everything had gone wrong with Avey. Jimmy had let him cry then, letting him get it all out. Now, seeing Lucian back to his normal, sarcastic self was a relief.

Jimmy didn’t say it out loud, but he was glad Lucian had finally made the decision to leave those who hurt him behind.

"Are these the only people?" Jimmy asked, turning to look at Parry’s group.

"Yeah, childish, right?" Lucian replied, smirking.

"Indeed," Jimmy said with a chuckle, shaking his head.

Without another word, Jimmy dropped the large bag he had been carrying. It landed with a heavy "crunch," the metallic sound immediately grabbing everyone’s attention. Parry and his group stopped whispering, their eyes locked on the mysterious bag.

"What’s in the bag?" Lucian asked, curiosity finally paying attention that jimmy was carrying a bag.

"Something to scare these kids," Jimmy said, bending down to unzip it.

Jimmy bent down and unzipped the bag, his hands rummaging inside for a moment. A metallic scraping sound echoed in the tense air, sending shivers through the crowd watching them. Everyone was curious, but no one expected what would come next.

Finally, Jimmy stood up, pulling out a shiny, black, fully armed, modified HK416 BB air rifle. The thing looked menacing even in the daylight sleek, dangerous, and more real than any of the students would have liked.

Lucian’s eyes widened, and a groan escaped his lips. "Motherfucker" he muttered under his breath, rubbing his forehead as if he couldn’t believe what was happening.

"Jimmy, please dont tell me?" Lucian cursed,shaking his head. He could barely process that his friend had brought out something that looked like a weapon of war.

Jimmy held the air rifle with both hands, admiring it as if it was the coolest thing he’d ever laid eyes on. He turned it up and down, checking every angle with pride. "This is way cooler than any fancy car or a gang of 200 men," Jimmy declared, smirking as he admired the modified air rifle.

Meanwhile, Parry and his group were frozen in place. They were staring at the rifle, their faces pale as if they had just seen a ghost. It felt like their souls had left their bodies, their hands trembling. Parry, who had been so confident moments ago, now looked like he was about to collapse.

"Is that… a gun?" one of the boys muttered, his voice barely audible.

The parry and his group, who were also looking in this direction, felt their souls leave through their nipples as they saw what Jimmy had just pulled out of that old-looking bag.

"Bro, that’s a fucking rifle," another one whispered, his face drained of color.

"What the hell, man? We’re just having a normal confrontation, and he pulls out a gun?!" Parry’s voice was cracking with panic, his hand shaking as he tried to reach for his phone.

"Wait, wait, what the hell just happened?" another boy stammered, his eyes glued to the black rifle gleaming in the light.

Jimmy, completely oblivious to the panic he’d just caused, laughed and turned to Lucian. "Hey, buddy, look at these kids. They’re scared shitless!" he said, thoroughly amused. "Told you this would be more fun than any stupid helicopter or 200 men!"

Lucian rubbed his temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache forming. Of course, he thought. This is exactly what I expected from Jimmy.

"Man, I’ve got more in the bag," Jimmy said, grinning as he gestured to the bag. "Why don’t you take one too, Lucian?"

Lucian’s face darkened, the black lines on his forehead deepening as he saw Jimmy point the gun casually toward Parry’s group. In an instant, their confidence shattered. The students who had stood tall moments ago were now cowering, some stepping backward.

but at someplace in his heat

Lucian felt a strange warmth settle in his chest. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t feel alone. It was a subtle but powerful realization someone had his back. After everything he’d gone through, after years of rejection and disappointment, this small moment of camaraderie hit him harder than expected.

He glanced at Jimmy, who was standing there, casually holding the ridiculous air rifle, his easygoing grin plastered across his face. It wasn’t about the gun or the theatrics it was about knowing that, no matter how messy life got, someone was still standing by his side, willing to show up even in the middle of the chaos.

Lucian’s clenched his first as he took a deep breath. The weight that had been sitting on his chest since the whole Avey incident began felt a little lighter. Maybe he didn’t have everything figured out maybe he still felt lost in some ways but at least he wasn’t walking this road alone anymore.

There was a sense of comfort in knowing that. He wasn’t the guy who got left behind anymore. He wasn’t chasing someone who didn’t care, and he wasn’t fighting battles by himself. For the first time in what felt like forever, he had someone in his corner. That simple, silent support was worth more than a thousand words.

"W-wait! Hold on!" Parry stuttered, his voice full of terror. "We were just messing around! No need for… that!" He waved his hands frantically, his phone still in his grasp as he desperately tried to find his father’s number. His face was pale as if the blood had drained from it completely.

but still Lucian had had enough. With a swift motion, he stepped forward and yanked the gun out of Jimmy’s hands. "What the hell are you doing?!" Lucian snapped. "I told you to scare them, not give them lifelong trauma! Look at their faces!" He pointed toward Parry’s group, who were visibly shaking now, fear etched into their expressions.

Jimmy raised his arms in mock surrender, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. "Oh, come on, Lucian. First, you complain that I’m boring, and now you’re mad because I’m too cool and badass? Make up your mind!" Jimmy teased, clearly enjoying the chaos he’d caused.

Lucian let out an exasperated sigh, quickly stuffing the air rifle back into the bag. He walked briskly over to the car, opened the door, and tossed the bag inside, slamming the door shut with a heavy thud. He turned back to Jimmy, his face filled with disbelief. "And here I was thinking you were more mature than me," Lucian grumbled, his lips twitching in frustration.

Jimmy shrugged, still grinning. "You know me, Lucky. Just trying to keep things interesting."

Lucian crossed his arms, shaking his head. "Yeah, well, interesting almost got us exposed in daylight. These kids are gonna have nightmares for the rest of their lives." He glanced back at Parry’s group, who were still frozen in shock, barely able to move.

Parry, still clutching his phone, was muttering under his breath, trying to find his father’s contact as his hands shook uncontrollably. His friends were no better, their expressions filled with terror as they backed away slowly, unsure of what to do.

Jimmy, completely unfazed, chuckled. "Come on, you’ve gotta admit that was cooler than anything else we could’ve done. These kids won’t be messing with anyone ever again. Consider it a Life lesson." He winked at Lucian, clearly pleased with himself.

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