CHAPTER 4: THE PROJECT DISASTER
The classroom was louder than usual that morning.
Half the class was still talking about the upcoming festival week, while the other half looked like they hadn't slept at all.
At the back row near the window, Mira dramatically dropped her head onto the desk.
"I refuse," she groaned. "I absolutely refuse to function today."
Kai leaned back in his chair beside her.
"You say that every morning."
"Because every morning proves me right."
Across the row, Jaden was calmly scrolling through his phone like none of the chaos around him existed.
Meanwhile, Liora sat by the window with her camera in her hands, examining a Polaroid she had taken the previous night.
The lantern lights glowed softly in the picture.
Evren sat beside her, resting his chin in his palm.
He watched her studying the photo like it was a priceless artifact.
"You've been staring at that thing for five minutes," he said.
She didn't look up.
"It's called appreciating art."
"It's a blurry picture of lanterns."
"It's a beautiful blurry picture of lanterns."
Evren sighed.
Before he could respond, Mira suddenly leaned forward across the desk.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at her.
Mira pointed dramatically at Liora.
"You went to the night market without us?"
Liora blinked.
"…Yes?"
Kai gasped like he had just been personally betrayed.
"Unbelievable."
Jaden looked up from his phone.
"Honestly rude."
Evren rubbed his forehead.
"You guys are acting like she committed a crime."
Mira pointed at him next.
"And you!"
"What did I do?"
"You went with her!"
Evren stared at her.
"…Yes?"
Kai shook his head slowly.
"This is favoritism."
Liora grinned.
"Jealousy is ugly, Kai."
Before the conversation could escalate further, the classroom door opened.
Their teacher walked in holding a stack of papers.
Instantly the room quieted down.
Well… mostly.
Mira was still whispering dramatic complaints under her breath.
The teacher placed the papers on the desk and looked around the room.
"Good morning, everyone."
A weak chorus of greetings followed.
The teacher crossed his arms.
"As you all know, this is your final year."
Several students groaned immediately.
"Which means," he continued calmly, "you'll be completing a major semester project."
That got everyone's attention.
Kai leaned forward.
"This sounds dangerous."
Jaden nodded.
"Extremely."
The teacher ignored them and wrote something on the board.
FINAL PROJECT: DOCUMENTING EVERYDAY LIFE
The class stared at the words.
Mira raised her hand.
"What does that even mean?"
"It means," the teacher said, "you will create a presentation capturing everyday moments through any medium you choose."
"Photography."
Everyone in the group slowly turned toward Liora.
Her eyes were already sparkling.
Evren noticed immediately.
"Oh no."
Liora looked at the teacher again.
"So we can use photos?"
"Yes."
Her grin widened.
Evren leaned back in his chair.
"This is a disaster."
Kai laughed.
"You're finished, man."
The teacher continued explaining.
"You'll work in groups of five."
The room erupted into chatter again.
Mira clapped her hands dramatically.
"Please let us be together."
Jaden looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because suffering is better with friends."
The teacher started reading the group assignments.
Names were called one by one.
Finally—
"Mira, Kai, Jaden… Liora… Evren."
The five of them looked at each other.
Mira slowly raised both hands toward the ceiling.
"Destiny."
Evren muttered under his breath.
"Or terrible luck."
The teacher handed them their project sheet.
"You'll present this at the end of the semester."
As soon as class ended, the five of them gathered around their usual lunch table.
Mira slammed the project sheet onto the table dramatically.
"This is our villain origin story."
Kai grabbed a fry from Jaden's tray.
"It's literally just a project."
"JUST a project?" Mira said. "This determines our academic survival!"
Jaden shrugged.
"Dramatic as always."
Liora flipped through the instructions.
"We could make this really good."
Evren looked at her carefully.
"You're planning something."
She smiled innocently.
"I always plan things."
Kai leaned toward Evren.
"You're definitely getting dragged into this."
"Against my will."
Liora kicked his shoe under the table.
"You love helping me."
Evren raised an eyebrow.
"That is not how I remember it."
Mira watched the two of them like she was observing a documentary.
"Question."
No one answered.
She pointed between them.
"How long have you two known each other again?"
Liora shrugged while eating.
"Since we were six."
Kai nearly dropped his drink.
"Six?!"
Jaden nodded slowly.
"That explains a lot."
Evren frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Kai leaned back in his chair.
"You two act like an old married couple."
Evren threw a napkin at him.
"Shut up."
Mira suddenly tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Wait… Evren."
"What."
"Why do you call her Lio?"
The table went quiet.
Liora looked up from her food.
Evren didn't seem surprised by the question.
"Because that's her name."
"That's not her name," Kai said. "Her name is Liora."
Evren shrugged.
"Not to me."
Mira's eyes widened.
"Wait wait wait."
She pointed at Liora.
"And you call him Ren."
Liora smiled slightly.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
She leaned back casually.
"Because I can."
Kai looked at Evren.
"Can we call you that too?"
Evren answered instantly.
"No."
Jaden smirked.
"Strict policies."
Mira placed both hands dramatically on the table.
"I knew it."
"Knew what?" Liora asked.
"You two are suspicious."
Evren groaned.
"We are not suspicious."
"You have private nicknames," Mira said.
"That's normal," Liora replied.
"Not when nobody else is allowed to use them."
Kai nodded.
"Yeah that's weird."
Evren stood up and grabbed his bag.
"I regret sitting here."
Liora laughed and followed him as they left the table.
Behind them, Mira leaned toward Kai and Jaden.
"I'm telling you."
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Telling us what?"
She pointed toward Liora and Evren walking down the hallway together.
"They're definitely going to end up together someday."
Jaden shrugged.
"Probably."
Kai took another fry.
"I give it two years."
Meanwhile, ahead in the hallway, Liora walked beside Evren.
She nudged his shoulder.
"Ren."
He glanced at her.
"What."
"We're definitely doing photography for the project."
He sighed deeply.
"I knew this was coming."
She smiled brightly.
"Don't worry."
"About what?"
"You're my assistant."
Evren looked at her for a long moment.
Then he shook his head and started walking again.
"Lio," he said quietly.
"You're unbelievable."
She just laughed and followed him down the hallway.