The classroom buzzed with restless energy as students shuffled into their assigned groups. Mr. Suh's decision to pick teams had already set the mood... annoyance, dread, and in some cases, outright frustration.
At the far end of the room, Group Five was radiating disaster.
Ara sat stiffly, gripping her notebook as if it were a lifeline. Beside her,Ningning leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Across from them, Chenle let out a long, suffering sigh, dramatically resting his head on his desk.
Then there were Karina and Danny.
Karina settled into her seat with practiced ease, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she shot Ara a slow, knowing smirk. She didn't need words... her presence alone was enough to make Ara shrink into herself.
Danny plopped down beside Ningning with a lazy grin. "Guess we're partners now, huh? Excited?"
Ningning didn't even look at him. "No."
Danny chuckled. "Come on, don't be like that. We could be a great team if you'd just give me a chance."
Ningning's gaze was ice-cold. "I'd rather eat my own shoe."
Chenle snorted, lifting his head just enough to glance at Ara. "This is going to be a disaster."
Giselle, quiet until now, finally spoke. "Can we at least try to focus? We need to pick a topic." Her tone was neutral, though the tension in her posture betrayed her unease.
Karina leaned back, examining her nails. "I say we do something easy. Less work, less time wasted."
Ningning rolled her eyes. "By 'less work,' you mean we do everything while you and Danny sit back and contribute nothing."
Danny gasped dramatically. "Ningning, I'm hurt. I'd love to contribute... maybe a case study on chemistry. Ours, specifically."
Ningning's glare could have burned holes. "Can I switch groups? Expulsion is starting to sound better."
Mr. Suh, who clearly anticipated this chaos, didn't look up. "No switching."
Ningning let out a long, drawn-out sigh.
Giselle, ever the peacemaker, tried again. "We just need to pick a topic and divide the work fairly. Something related to community."
For a moment, silence. Then, surprisingly, Karina spoke. "What about social expectations in high school?"
Ara tensed. There had to be a catch.
Ningning narrowed her eyes. "Why that? So you can brag about how you're so much better than everyone else?"
Karina smirked. "I just think it's relevant. We all deal with social expectations. Some more than others." Her gaze flicked to Ara, and Ningning clenched her jaw.
Chenle, resting his chin on his palm, finally spoke. "Okay, hate to say it, but she's not wrong. Solid topic."
Ningning groaned. "I cannot believe I live in a world where Chenle agrees with Karina."
Chenle raised his hands. "I didn't say I like it. Just that it makes sense."
Giselle nodded quickly. "It's broad enough to divide easily. Peer pressure, academic stress, social cliques... each of us can cover one aspect."
Ara, silent until now, hesitated. "...I think it could work."
Ningning sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Fine. But anyone slacking, I will call them out."
Danny smirked. "Call me anytime, Ningning."
Ningning's glare could have melted steel.
Giselle moved to divide the work. "I'll handle peer pressure. Ara, maybe academic stress?"
Ara nodded quietly.
Chenle yawned. "I'll take... something easy. Maybe popularity?"
Karina raised an eyebrow. "You? Talking about popularity? That's rich."
Chenle smirked. "I'm popular, Karina. Just in a better way than you."
Karina scoffed but didn't argue.
Ningning tapped her pen on the table. "I'll cover social cliques. That leaves..." She turned to Danny, grimacing. "Ugh. You."
Danny grinned. "Relationships, then."
Ningning's face twisted. "Of course you would."
With topics settled, the group reluctantly began work. Tension lingered... Ningning's hostility toward Danny, Karina's passive-aggressiveness toward Ara, Chenle's bare minimum effort... but at least they had a plan.
Whether they'd finish the project... or self-destruct in the process... remained to be seen.
A.N :
This idea has been in my mind for so long, so I thought why not add it.
