The bell rang.
Caroline and Marcus finished their lunch and turned to face the whiteboard. Daisy was still struggling to finish her pasta, while Kevin helped her by taking a few bites from the box.
Kevin noticed a guy who kept glancing in their direction. When their eyes met, Kevin asked calmly,
"Is this your place?"
"Yes," a group of three answered at the same time, as if they had been waiting.
"We got our lunch late and haven't finished yet. Do you mind if we sit here just for today?" Daisy asked softly.
The boys looked at one another, silently checking if everyone was okay with it.
"Please," Daisy added in a gentle, sweet tone.
Kevin, Marcus, and Caroline turned toward the group with hopeful, almost glistening eyes.
Lucas, talking with his friends nearby, witnessed the scene and giggled. If girls do it, it's cute. Why are these two tall idiots trying to copy them? They look funny.
"Pass us the bags," one of the boys said, extending his hand to clear the space.
"Thank you," Daisy, Caroline, and Kevin said together, nodding slightly.
"Thanks, bro," Marcus added, extending his hand.
"Excuse me, do you know what subject is next?" Caroline asked a girl sitting in front of her.
"It's Math," the girl replied.
"Again?" Caroline raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," the girl confirmed lazily, nodding.
Caroline was about to type a message when a notification popped up.
You were invited to the group chat Charming Four by Daisy.
Caroline gave Daisy a thumbs-up without turning around.
She began typing, but Kevin sent a message first:
Kevin: Group name is a bit too childish. But let's focus on the priority. How about everyone shares their interests?
Marcus: I play football, as you may know. I can sing. I'm interested in joining the council, if none of you have a problem.
Daisy: I can do ballet and badminton. I'm lazy and not confident in taking care of other students. So I'm dropping out of the council option.
Kevin: I'm good at football, basketball, and swimming. I wasn't interested in the council, but if needed, I don't mind joining.
Caroline read everyone's messages before replying.
Caroline: I play guitar and piano. I don't mind joining the council either. Let's check the schedules and see whose club activities don't clash with council work. They can join both.
Daisy: Sounds good.
Kevin and Marcus reacted with an OK emote to Caroline's message.
Mr. Benson entered the classroom. As he walked toward the board, he smelled something unfamiliar but didn't think much of it.
"Good afternoon, students. Hope everyone had their lunch."
"Yes, sir," the students replied in unison.
Kevin and Daisy stiffened, staring straight at the board. Marcus and Caroline sat upright, subtly blocking Mr. Benson's line of sight toward the last bench where the food had been.
Mr. Benson turned back to the board, marker in hand. Soon, equations filled the whiteboard in steady strokes. His voice was calm, measured—too calm for a class where half the students were still glancing over their shoulders.
Taking the chance, Kevin and Daisy quickly finished the last spoonful of pasta, placed the empty box into the carry bag, and slid it down beside the table, hidden from view.
They took a sip of juice and deliberately shuffled pages, signaling Caroline and Marcus that the food was gone.
The tension eased slightly.
All students began copying equations from the board.
Half an hour passed.
Marcus's eyes grew heavy, his focus drifting as he scribbled lazily. Kevin, refreshed from his short nap during the break, noticed and poked Marcus's shoulder from behind in an attempt to wake him.
Caroline, sitting beside him, passed Marcus a small note.
There is pasta sauce at the corner of your lips.
Marcus jolted awake, rubbed the corner of his mouth, and checked his face using his camera. Realizing Caroline had lied, he wrote back on the same note.
Your face looks bloated.
Caroline frowned and replied immediately.
I am a beauty even if my face is bloated.
Marcus shook his head, tore the note, and turned back to the board—unfocused, thinking about something else.
Caroline looked satisfied and returned to her notes.
The lecture continued. Math was followed by English. Time moved.
When the bell rang, relief rippled through the room.
Chairs scraped back. Bags zipped. Conversations rose again—cautious, but louder now that daylight still ruled.
Marcus stood first.
"Let's go. We'll take our bags with us," he said quietly, not looking at anyone in particular.
Kevin nodded immediately. Daisy was already on her feet.
They moved together—not hurried, not slow—just deliberate enough to look accidental.
Since the break between classes was short, only a few students lingered in the corridor compared to lunchtime.
Marcus led them, stopping near a notice board plastered with posters: Student Council Registrations, Club Tryouts, Fresher Events – Volunteers Needed.
The group moved away as more students gathered around the board out of curiosity.
"Are we going to the student council room on the first floor?" Daisy asked while walking.
"Yes," Marcus replied. "But it's usually not easy to get in. We need to check the requirements."
"Marcus, do you think they will be part of it?" Kevin asked.
He didn't say the name, but everyone understood.
"There's a chance," Marcus said as they descended the stairs. "But we should still try."
"Let's say all four of us are interested," Caroline said quietly. "If they've heard about Marcus and me provoking them, they might reject all of us."
"Then do we split into pairs and ask separately?" Kevin hesitated. "But then—"
Caroline shook her head. "They'll know sooner or later that we're friends. If we go separately, they'll think we're up to something. Daisy, when we enter, can you start the conversation?"
"No problem," Daisy nodded.
"We need this opportunity," Caroline continued. "But we don't need to act to impress them. Forget ragging and bullying for now. Think about why you'd join the council. What you can contribute. Daisy, I know you're not interested—so be honest. Say you're only interested in the privileges."
Daisy nodded.
"You're good at this," Kevin said with a smile. "You should be part of it."
"I will," Caroline replied evenly, returning the smile.
"Looks like we're here," Marcus said, stopping a few meters before the council room.