{Elira}
~**^**~
Saturday mornings at ESA were usually noisy.
Not the kind that grated on your nerves, but the kind that reminded you that the whole school was alive—music leaking from open dorm windows, laughter echoing down the hall, the faint hum of chatter about Founder's Day preparations.
By the time I left the dorm with the girls, the air was already bright with the scent of grass and paint.
Nari carried a stack of folded fabrics for the decoration team, humming a tune that was too cheerful for how early it was.
Cambria had her sketchbook tucked under her arm, and Juniper, as usual, looked like she was already done with everyone before the day even began.
We didn't need to talk about what I would be doing today. Everyone knew. The combat team didn't participate in the weekend prep projects because the elimination rounds were still ongoing.
"Come with us anyway," Nari said, glancing at me as we walked. "You can sit and laugh while we work. It will be fun."
