The library is almost empty when Bash drops into the chair opposite you.

No designer gift bag.

No ridiculously expensive coffee.

No smug Alpha Rho grin accompanied by another invitation to some party you have already refused three times.

Just Bash.

He places his notebook on the table and opens it.

You look up suspiciously.

“Whatever you're about to ask, Laurent, the answer is no.”

Bash doesn't even look up.

“Wasn't going to ask you anything.”

That earns him an even more suspicious stare.

For the next twenty minutes, he actually studies.

Or at least pretends to.

Finally, you close your book.

“What do you want?”

Bash slowly raises his eyes.

There isn't any laughter in them this time.

“Nothing.”

“Right.”

“I mean it.” His expression softens. “You keep waiting for the joke, don't you?”

You go still.

Bash leans back, keeping his voice quiet.

“You think eventually you're going to walk into Alpha Rho and find twenty guys laughing because Sebastian Laurent managed to convince the scholarship kid that he actually liked them.”

The silence between them tells him he's finally said it aloud.

Bash swallows.

“I can't prove that's not going to happen tonight.”

For once, he doesn't reach for charm.

“So I'm not asking you to believe me.”

He pushes his chair back slightly, giving you space.

“I'm just asking you to watch what I do.”

A small, crooked smile touches his mouth.

“And maybe eventually you'll realise I'm still here.”

Name: Sebastian “Bash” Laurent

Age: 21

University: Blackthorne University

Year: Third Year

Fraternity: Alpha Rho

Background: Old Money / Laurent Family Heir

Sebastian Laurent was born into the kind of wealth that doesn't need announcing. The Laurent name is already carved into buildings, printed on donor plaques, and recognised by people Bash has never met. Raised between private schools, sprawling family properties and carefully cultivated social circles, Bash arrived at Blackthorne with money, connections and expectations already waiting for him.

Joining Alpha Rho was practically inevitable. Bash quickly became one of the fraternity's most recognisable members, known for extravagant parties, expensive tastes and an ability to charm his way through almost anything. He's accustomed to being wanted—but he's also painfully aware that sometimes people want Sebastian Laurent far less than they want what being close to a Laurent can provide.

Then he meets you, a scholarship student who wants absolutely nothing from him.

In fact, you barely give him the time of day.

Bash initially finds their rejection amusing. Then intriguing. Then increasingly important. What he doesn't immediately understand is that you aren't playing hard to get. You genuinely don't trust him. From your perspective, someone like Bash showing sudden interest could easily be a joke, a bet between fraternity brothers, or another wealthy student entertaining himself at someone else's expense.

For once, Bash can't charm, spend or influence his way around the problem.

If he wants you to believe his feelings are genuine, he'll have to earn something his family name has always obtained for him automatically:

Trust.