"Poppy, don't be afraid. We'll see each other soon. We won't abandon you here," Jayce said, clasping her hand and staring into her eyes.
He could see the fear and sadness in her face as she had just been told that boys and girls had to sleep in different dormitories.
"You promise?" Poppy said, her voice trembling.
"I'll be the first person you see in class," Jayce said, trying to sound confident and reassuring.
He gave her a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek.
He let go of her hand and walked away with Ekko, who had been watching them with a sour expression.
"Hey, Poppy. I'll be here too," Ekko said, flashing a smile and a thumbs up.
She turned away from him and followed the other girls to their dormitory. Ekko looked back at Jayce to confirm that he didn't see what happened.
Once Poppy was gone, the excitement became palpable once again as Jayce and Ekko made their way through the bustling corridors of the Royal Academy towards the male dormitories after reassuring
The stone walls echoed with the sounds of students chatting and the occasional laughter, creating a lively atmosphere.
As they arrived at the dormitories, Jayce and Ekko stood before a row of rooms. Jayce's eyes landed on a room with a scenic view of the beautiful courtyard. Entering the room, they found themselves greeted by two beds arranged in a bunk formation. Jayce's gaze drifted towards the top bunk.
"I claim the top bunk!" Ekko suddenly announced.
Jayce, initially not opposing the idea, simply nodded and began to settle for the bottom bunk. However, as Ekko began to bounce around on the top bunk, the wooden frame creaking under his weight.
Concern etched across his face, he offered, "You know what, Ekko? It might be better if I take the top bunk."
Ekko, grinning mischievously, refused to yield. He invoked the well-known iron-clad law of "finders keepers" and playfully retorted, "Nah, I got here first. Finders keepers, losers weepers. You don't always get what you want."
"Alright, let's settle this with a game of rock-paper-scissors. Best out of three?"
Ekko's eyes lit up with competitive spirit. "You're on!"
They positioned themselves facing each other, their hands poised and ready for the decisive game. "Three, two, one, go!" they chanted in unison, their hands swiftly revealing their choices.
Scissors. Paper. Ekko lost the first round.
They reset their hands and played again. Paper. Rock. Ekko lost the second round as well.
With each round, Ekko's frustration grew. They went for the final round. Scissors. Rock. Jayce emerged victorious once again, winning the third round and the game overall.
Ekko sighed dramatically. "Alright, Jayce, you win this time. I'll take the bottom bunk."
Jayce chuckled, extending a hand to his friend. "No hard feelings, Ekko?"
Ekko initially looked upset but forced one of his trademark grin taking Jayce's hand. "None at all. You earned it fair and square. Let's make the best of our new room, bunkie."
As Jayce settled into his bunk, Ekko, unable to resist a playful jab, remarked aloud, "Well, Jayce, I must say, this makes the score three-nil in your favor."
Curiosity piqued, Jayce turned to Ekko, asking, "Three victories? What are you talking about?"
Ekko, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, explained with a smirk, "First, you won the race to the nearest town when we first met. And now, this rock-paper-scissors game."
Jayce didn't have to do any maths. "That's only two," he said. "When else have you lost to me?"
Ekko clammed up. "Never mind."