𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 sat at the round table, half-listening to the group's chatter while scrolling through her phone. They were at their after-school program, a spot they only came to when they had nowhere else to be.
"I don't know why you're acting all innocent when you've got twenty exes," Dior said, rolling her eyes at Rekai.
"And how many do you have?" Rekai fired back, giving her a once-over.
"Six," Dior replied sharply, rolling her neck.
Chance chuckled softly, amused by Dior's sass.
"SixTEEN," Rekai teased, nudging her arm.
"Boy, please," Dior huffed, waving him off dramatically.
Justyn, seated across the table, shook his head with a quiet laugh.
Dior's eyes shifted to Carter. "Why are you recording?!" she snapped.
"I'm not even recording you," Carter lied smoothly, grinning. "I'm recording myself!"
"Yeah, you better be. Y'all all finna piss me off," Dior muttered, rubbing her forehead.
"Girl, boo," Rekai chimed in with a smirk. "Don't be mad just 'cause you're not very demure."
Chance started zoning out, barely registering the laughter rippling through the group. She felt a weight on her shoulder and glanced over to see Zion leaning against her.
"Can you not?" she said, shifting uncomfortably.
Zion clicked his tongue but didn't move. "I'm just trying to love you," he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
Chance sighed, rolling her eyes. "I ain't trying to hear all that right now," she replied, irritation bubbling beneath the surface.
Zion chuckled, ignoring her clear annoyance, and leaned closer, resting his head in the crook of her neck.
"Get a room!" Carter called out, lobbing a paper ball at them.
Chance pushed Zion away, creating space between them. Justyn, who had been watching quietly, shifted in his seat, drawing Zion's attention.
"Yo, Justyn," Zion said, his tone sharp. "This the third time I've caught you staring at my lady."
Justyn squinted at him, adjusting his glasses. "Ain't nobody looking at her," he said, laughing dismissively.
Zion's jaw clenched. "Oh, igh'. Watch where your eyes go, though."
"Or what?" Justyn leaned forward, his voice laced with mockery.
