The hallways were quieter than usual. Most students had already vanished into their chosen clubs or the comfort of their dorms. Ivy walked at an easy pace, hands in her jacket pockets, eyes scanning the cluttered board near the stairwell listing every active club.
She wasn't in a rush. Technically, joining a club wasn't required, but it was encouraged. Chloe had pitched at least four to her over breakfast, each more chaotic than the last.
The baking club was her last hope.
She followed the scent of sugar to the far end of the third floor and stopped outside a wide double door that rattled with the sound of voices and clanging bowls.
She peeked in.
A cloud of flour hung in the air like smoke. Chloe stood in the center of it, waving a wooden spoon and shouting something unintelligible over the crashing of pans. Pancake, somehow, had made it onto the counter and was pawing at a sack of sugar.
A boy slipped and landed flat on the floor, narrowly avoiding a tray of half-prepared batter.
Ivy closed the door and walked away without a word.
The corridor on the next floor was practically deserted. Dim light filtered through narrow windows, and the hum of nearby vending machines filled the silence.
That was when she saw it.
A door was slightly ajar, the paper sign taped to it off-center and curling at the corners. It read: Helpers Club – Open Meeting
Whatever that meant.
She knocked once out of politeness, then pushed the door open.
Inside, the room was modest. A whiteboard, a few tables, and a spread of half-eaten snacks on a cart near the wall. Riley sat behind a desk like it was hers by birthright, flanked by two other girls Ivy vaguely recognized from class.
Riley spotted her and waved. "Hey. Come on in. You look confused enough to be a perfect fit."
Ivy raised an eyebrow but stepped in. "What is this?"
"Helpers Club. I'm the new head. As of today."
Ivy glanced around. "What do you actually do?"
"We help people. You know. Students. With stuff."
"What kind of stuff?"
Riley spread her arms. "Homework panic. Blessing meltdowns. Locker room arguments. Relationship disasters. If it's loud and annoying, we step in before a teacher has to."
Ivy narrowed her eyes. "So you're a hall monitor?"
"Absolutely not. We're helpful, not hated. Think of us as friendly backup. Like if the school had a conscience."
Ivy looked toward the snacks. Then back at Riley.
"Do you actually do anything or is this an excuse to hang out and eat chips?"
"Bit of both," Riley admitted. "But I'm serious. We take notes. We follow up. We talk people down. We can even help fix a shattered thermos."
"That's oddly specific."
"Because it happened."
Ivy hesitated. It was either this or go back to the dorm and listen to Chloe reattempt that cinnamon recipe.
"Fine," she said. "I'll try it."
Riley grinned. "That makes two."
Ivy blinked. "Two?"
"Yeah. You and someone else. Elias sent him our way."
Ivy stared at her.
Riley tilted her head. "You already know, don't you."
Ivy let out a long breath and sat down.
"I have a strong suspicion."