THIRD PERSON'S POV
"Oh my goodness… I am soooooooooooo exhausted."
"I'm exhausted, hungry, and bored. I'm exhunbo."
"Nah, it should be exhured."
"I prefer Albert's: exhunbo."
Lily rolled her eyes at Fiona's comment and slumped onto the couch as they entered their team apartment. Each team gets an apartment from the school: five rooms, a bathroom per room, a kitchen, and a living room.
Roommates:
Lily & Fiona
George & Donald
Albert & Nathan
Zoé – alone for now
Donald took off his mask and dragged his bag to the room he shared with George.
"Clean freak, could you help me too while you're at it? Thanks, love you, bro!" George yelled after him.
Donald just sighed and began unpacking. George flopped onto the couch, playfully kicking Lily's leg aside.
"Another mission and I'll faint," Lily grumbled, burying her face in a cushion.
"Seriously. Is being good a crime now?"
Albert said as he walked to his room.
"Quit whining. You signed up for this,"
Nathan called while heading to the kitchen.
"And by you, you mean our parents, right?"
Lily peeked from the pillow, daring him to oppose her.
"I thought you liked it,"
Lily glared at Zoé.
"Well, I did… when I was young and naive."
"You came here two years ago."
"Still the same thing!" Zoé raised her hands in mock surrender and smiled lightly as she went upstairs.
"Kid, some of us have been here since we were three. You're lucky already," George said. Lily sighed and said nothing else.
The living room fell silent. Everyone was in their own world… until the wall speakers crackled.
Attention students: Welcome back to another academic year! Thanks to the teams that once again defended our country. School resumes tomorrow morning, with new students joining from Country A for an exchange program. Please welcome them properly. See you tomorrow.
Everyone groaned.
"Are you kidding me? Not even a week off?!" Donald yelled from his room.
"Poor guy. His schedule's worse than ours," Fiona chuckled.
"Music and this complicated school? Yeah… suicide mission," Nathan added, sipping his coffee.
"He's trying to satisfy himself and his family. What do you expect?" Lily said, lifting her head.
Fiona sighed and stood. "We should get ready. We need to report to our mentor before school starts tomorrow." She dragged herself to her room. Lily groaned and followed.
One by one, they left—until the door opened.
A man in a white tracksuit with short dark hair and bored eyes walked in, followed by a girl. Slim, black hair nearly reaching her thighs, dressed in red baggy trousers, a black crop top, and white sneakers. Calm, blue eyes reflected like the ocean, long lashes framing plump lips. She leaned slightly on her suitcase.
Lily stared suspiciously.
The man cleared his throat. "Hey, kids."
"Hey, Renzo."
"Uhm… Renzo… she looks our age," Fiona said with a strained smile.
Renzo chuckled.
"Even if no one would stop you, aren't you ashamed?" Nathan whispered to him.
"Of what?" Renzo smiled, pretending to be oblivious.
George blinked at the girl. Something about her felt… familiar.
"Dude, you date minors now?" Zoé muttered, glaring.
Renzo laughed. The team frowned.
"What's funny?" George asked, irritated.
Albert, still unpacking, finally came downstairs. "The… oh hi, Renzo… what's funny…" He trailed off, then broke into a broad smile and hugged the girl like she was family.
"I knew you'd eventually accept it, you idiot. Why'd you take so long?" Albert teased, squishing her cheeks.
Renzo clapped his hands. "Everyone, meet your new flatmate and teammate—Ivy Da Vinci!"
The team blinked in surprise. Exchange students sometimes arrive early, but Ivy clearly stood out.
"Ah-ha! .She's that Country A topper everyone talked about when she refused the first transfer offer!" Lily practically bounced in excitement.
"Nice to meet you, Ivy," Fiona said warmly. Guiding Lily aside.
"Ivy, that's George with the red streaks, Fiona with red hair, Lily with brown, Donald with blue, Zoé with black, Nathan with black, and Albert—you already know him. I'll be right back," Renzo finished and disappeared, leaving them staring.
Lily almost jumped on Ivy. "What's your country of origin? Why did you change your mind? Do you use Moonstones there? Want to be roommates? Explored the school yet? Want me as your tour guide? Would—"
"Okay, missy, calm down," Fiona said apologetically, pulling Lily aside.
"Don't you know how to talk? You mute or something?" Zoé scowled.
George stepped forward. "As you know, I'm George. You'll share a room with Zoé. If you need anything, let us know."
"Thanks," Ivy said calmly.
"Come on, I'll show you to your room,"
Albert said, taking her bag and leading her upstairs.