The atmosphere at the table was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Ningning sat with her arms crossed, radiating pure impatience. Ara, beside her, kept her head low, pen idly scratching meaningless shapes into the corner of her notebook. Across from them, Chenle sprawled lazily, already exasperated.
At the opposite end sat Karina and Danny.
Karina, always relishing the upper hand, drummed her nails against the desk with a smug air of superiority. Danny, ever pleased with himself, grinned each time Ningning so much as blinked in his direction.
Giselle, the neutral party by default, sat between Ara and Karina, flipping open her notebook, ready to attempt keeping things civil.
Chenle spoke first, dry as ever. "Alright, who's the leader? I vote Karina. She's clearly an expert at bossing people around."
Karina's lips curled into a sickly sweet smile. "Oh, I wouldn't dream of it. You'd hate to see how I handle slackers, Chenle."
Chenle made a face. "Yeah, no thanks. I'd rather walk into traffic."
Danny chuckled, completely unfazed by the tension. He turned to Ningning, flashing his persistent smirk. "I mean, if Belle wants to take the lead, I'm totally on board."
Ningning didn't hesitate. "Hard pass. I don't need that headache."
Giselle, pen poised, interjected with calm firmness. "Can we just figure out a topic and move on? Less arguing, more progress."
For a second, silence fell. Then...
"Any ideas, Ara?"
Karina's voice was deceptively casual, her smirk telling a different story. "You must have tons of thoughts about the community, being so... observant and all."
Ara's grip tightened around her pen.
"Knock it off, Karina," Ningning said sharply, her glare unmistakable.
Karina raised her hands, feigning innocence. "Relax, Ningning. Just asking. No need to get defensive."
Danny leaned forward, still smirking. "Yeah, Ningning. No need to get all worked up... unless you just like paying extra attention to me."
Ningning scoffed. "I pay extra attention when there's an insect in the room too. Doesn't mean I like it."
Chenle cut in, louder this time. "Okay, focus on literally anything else. Like... community art programs. That works, right?"
Giselle jumped in. "Not terrible. Anyone else have suggestions?" She jotted down the topic, giving expectant glances around the table.
The conversation technically moved forward, but the tension lingered. Ara stayed quiet, shoulders drawn inward. Ningning threw daggers at Danny, who only seemed more entertained. Chenle contributed with sarcastic comments, while Giselle worked to keep the peace.
Karina remained mostly silent, but her occasional smirk and sidelong glances at Ara made it clear she was waiting, watching for any slip.
By the end of the period, the group had barely scratched the surface, but battle lines had already been drawn.
Ningning draped an arm around Ara's shoulders, voice low. "Don't worry. We've got this. They're not worth it."
Ara hesitated, then nodded. "Thanks, Ningning."
As they walked ahead, Karina lingered behind, arms crossed, watching with smug satisfaction.
Danny trailed, still grinning, clearly enjoying the spectacle far too much.
This was going to be a long ass ride.
