The cafeteria was alive with its usual midday commotion, the clatter of trays and cutlery mingling with the constant chatter of students, an occasional burst of laughter breaking through the din.
Sunlight filtered through the large glass panels lining the ceiling, casting long shadows over the polished wooden tables.
The scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and something vaguely suspicious wafted through the air.
At the center of this bustling chaos sat Silas, Lyrium, Lily, and Ren—the most dysfunctional group of people forced to share a meal together.
And, as expected, Ren was the problem.
Somehow, through sheer force of will (and an unhealthy amount of persistence), he had managed to get them all at the same table.
The details of how this happened remained unclear, but the reality of the situation was undeniable.
One table.
Four trays.
No escape.
Lyrium sat with his arms crossed, his fork untouched.
