Elara led the group into the library, her steps confident and eyes scanning everyone. Bookshelves loomed around them, the smell of old paper and polished wood filling the air. Everyone found a seat, a mix of curiosity and chaos simmering.
Lucien leaned back, smirking at Victor. "Well, looks like we've got a leader now. Elara, you're officially in charge. How does it feel?"
Elara raised an eyebrow, mock stern. "Me? Leader? Are you serious?"
Noah nudged her. "Absolutely. You're smart, you can handle this. Plus… we'd just mess it up otherwise."
Victor added solemnly, "Yeah. Chaos is fun… only when someone's steering it."
Elara sighed. "Fine, fine. Listen carefully, everyone. I'll assign tasks, and I expect all of you to cooperate—no excuses." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "So first—feminism. Who knows what it actually is?"
Lucien immediately raised his hand, followed by Victor. Noah raised both hands enthusiastically. "We got this!" she said.
Elara turned to Alice. "And you, Alice? Will you raise your hand, too?"
Alice leaned back, arms crossed, smirking. "Me? Why? I don't even know what feminism is."
Elara's eyes narrowed. "That is… incredibly rude."
Alice shrugged innocently. "Rude is my specialty."
Elara rolled her eyes. "Fine. You'll collect all the information on feminism, and then maybe you'll understand what it actually means."
Alice muttered, "Joy…" under his breath.
Elara turned to Noah. "Noah, your drawing skills are excellent. I want you to create sketches for the group—visual aids to explain feminism. Can you handle that?"
Noah's eyes sparkled. "Of course! Finally, something exciting!"
Lucien leaned toward Victor. "Careful, she might outshine all of us."
Victor smirked. "Let her try. I have snacks."
Elara turned to Lucien. "And you… what can you contribute?"
Lucien struck a dramatic pose. "Well, I'm great at crafts and management. Basically, I make things look amazing and organized."
Elara nodded approvingly. "Perfect."
Victor shrugged. "My handwriting is good."
"Excellent," Elara said. "You'll handle documentation and notes."
Alice leaned closer, teasing. "So… when do we start our study date?"
Elara raised an eyebrow, hand on the bench, voice sharp. "Alice… don't even think about it. This is about work. Not a date."
Alice grinned. "Fine, fine. Totally normal study time."
Elara shot him a glare. "Not a word about dates."
Lucien whispered to Victor, "Oh boy… here comes trouble."
Victor smirked. "Yep. Chaos alert."
Elara continued seriously, "We'll meet at the café to begin our work. After that, we'll engage with real people—understand their struggles, their fight for equality and freedom. That's when it becomes interesting."
Noah clapped her hands. "Wow, Elara, real-life research! This is amazing!"
Elara smiled warmly. "Exactly. Theory is nothing without experience. Lucien, Victor—you'll see leadership in action. And Alice… try not to distract everyone for five minutes."
Alice muttered, "Distract? Me? Never…"
Elara shook her head, chuckling softly. "Alright, everyone, café at 3 PM. Bring your brains, your ideas, and your humor. No excuses."
Noah leaned forward, whispering to Alice, "So… is this really just studying, or is there a 'date' happening too?"
Alice shot her a mischievous grin. "Definitely studying. But… you know, the vibe's kind of date-ish."
Noah laughed. "Uh-oh. Someone's in trouble."
Lucien leaned back, whispering to Victor, "Brace yourself. This is going to be legendary."
Victor chuckled. "And somehow… Elara's still the only sane one here."
Alice smirked at Elara. "Honestly, Elara… I'm actually looking forward to this project. Maybe learning a thing or two."
Elara rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Let's just hope your 'learning' doesn't include flirting with every human in sight."
Alice laughed softly. "No promises."
The group erupted in laughter. Chaos, purpose, and anticipation mixed perfectly in the library, signaling the start of a project that none of them would forget.
The library was buzzing with quiet murmurs and the faint scratch of pens on paper when the door suddenly swung open.
Everyone froze.
Elara's eyes widened. "Professor? You… here?"
Professor Klein, calm and composed as ever, stepped in. "Yes, Elara. I heard everything."
The room went completely silent.
Alice leaned back in his chair, eyebrows raised. "Uh… everything?"
Professor Klein smiled warmly, his eyes scanning the group. "Your conversations, your enthusiasm, your ideas about the project… all of it. I must say, I am impressed. You're taking this seriously."
Elara blinked, caught off guard. "Professor… I—thank you."
He nodded. "Elara, I am proud of you. You've shown leadership, initiative, and a clear understanding of responsibility. And… I see you can handle a team."
Elara smiled softly. "Thank you, sir. I'll do my best."
Professor Klein straightened, hands clasped behind his back. "That's why I've decided something… interesting."
The group leaned in, curious.
"You five will stay in the same hostel block," he announced, pausing for effect. "Separate rooms for boys and girls, of course—but you'll share the same work area. You'll work together, live close, and I expect collaboration, not chaos."
Victor tilted his head. "Sir… you do realize what you just said, right? Chaos is basically us."
Lucien smirked. "Yeah… you're basically sentencing us to five-star mischief."
Noah gasped. "Wait… same floor? Same block? Like… literally together?"
Alice muttered, "So basically… forced group therapy disguised as a project."
Elara shook her head, exasperated but amused. "Guys… stop it. Seriously. If you start fighting here, our project will be a disaster. Do you understand?"
Victor and Lucien exchanged mischievous glances. "Yes, ma'am… for now."
Professor Klein chuckled softly. "Good. Elara, I trust you to lead them. Everyone else… behave."
Before anyone could respond, he nodded politely and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
Silence fell over the room for a few seconds—then chaos erupted.
"No way… same floor as Alice?" Noah whispered, elbowing Elara.
"I mean… don't get any ideas," Elara hissed, smacking Noah lightly.
Alice leaned back in his chair, a devilish smirk on his face. "Oh, I have plenty of ideas."
Elara groaned. "I said stop it!"
Lucien whispered to Victor, "This is going to be legendary."
Victor chuckled. "And I volunteer as the official chaos witness."
Noah giggled. "I can already imagine the fights… and the pranks!"
Alice smirked, rolling his eyes. "Pranks? Please, I'm a gentleman. Mostly."
Elara crossed her arms, glaring playfully. "Mostly? That's not reassuring."
Lucien leaned back in his chair. "Just imagine… breakfast together, studying together, room inspection together… daily chaos. I'm here for it."
Victor added, "And the homework debates. Can't wait for that."
Alice muttered under his breath, "I'll survive… somehow."
Noah bounced slightly in her seat. "We'll make it fun though! Teamwork, games, sketches… Elara, you're going to turn this into the best project ever."
Elara smiled softly, shaking her head. "Alright, enough chatter. Let's pack up and head to the hostel. And… remember: work first, chaos… maybe later."
Alice whispered to Lucien, smirking, "Maybe later? That's optimistic."
Lucien laughed. "Optimistic? I'm counting down already."
Victor muttered, "Just survive till dinner…"
As they left the library and made their way to the hostel, the group's chatter filled the hallway. Laughter, teasing, and occasional eye-rolls bounced off the walls, setting the tone for what was clearly going to be a memorable, chaotic, and ridiculously fun hostel adventure.