Daniel's grin widened into a smirk. "Alright then… Willy."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small laugh that slipped out. With Daniel, it was always like this annoying, but somehow comforting at the same time.
We pushed open the door to the Discipline Committee office. Even after the long vacation, it looked spotless as ever the desks neatly arranged, files stacked in perfect order, and not a speck of dust anywhere.
Daniel guided Milo and James to the seats opposite me, while I dropped into my chair, leaning my head on my left hand resting on the table.
For a few seconds, I just stared at them in silence, letting it stretch long enough to make them fidget. Then I sighed.
"You guys… why? Why on the first day?"
At the corner of my eye, I saw Daniel trying to stifle a laugh, shoulders trembling. I slowly turned my gaze toward him the same gaze that said you dragged me into this. Daniel immediately straightened, biting the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning.
I shifted my attention back to Milo and James. They looked like scolded puppies, their earlier bravado gone.
"Sorry for that… Sky," Milo mumbled.
James nodded quickly. "Yeah… sorry."
I leaned back, folding my arms. "You know, you two are actually good guys… but you're always fighting over the most ridiculous things."
Milo scratched the back of his neck. "He… drank my juice."
"And he ate my chocolate," James shot back, glaring sideways.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Seriously? Juice and chocolate? Are you five?"
They both muttered something under their breaths and stared down at their shoes.
"Listen," I said, my tone softening a little, "you're friends, even if you don't want to admit it. Stop trying to knock each other's heads off over snacks."
Milo hesitated. "But… he always—"
"—And you always take his stuff without asking," I cut in. "How about, from now on, you ask first… and maybe share instead of starting a boxing match in the cafeteria?"
They glanced at each other, awkward but a little less tense now.
"Fine…" Milo muttered.
"Yeah… okay," James added.
"Good." I gave them both a small smile. "Just don't fight with each other again, alright? Milo… James?"
They both looked at me and nodded. "Okay, Sky…" they said in unison.
At that moment, the bell rang sharply, echoing through the hallways. Lunch break was over.
"Alright, you guys can go now," I said, giving them a small wave.
They quickly stood and shuffled out. Daniel and I followed, stepping into the corridor as the noise of returning students swelled around us.
As we walked, Daniel shoved his hands into his pockets. "So… where are we heading now?"
I glanced at him and smirked. "To the club room. As always…"
Daniel chuckled under his breath. "Figures. Some things never change."
I just smiled faintly, the familiar chaos of the first day swirling around us as we headed down the hall.