The three of them arrived in front of the gym, their footsteps slowing as they approached the large double doors. The area outside the gym was bustling with students, some adjusting their sports bags, others chatting in small groups while they waited to be let inside. The faint sounds of activity from within the gym could be heard as they stood outside, along with the occasional shout or laughter echoing from the open doors.
Daniel, Diana, and Aiden scanned the crowd, looking for their teacher. The other students were scattered around, some leaning against the walls, others grouped in small circles, talking quietly. The buzz of conversation filled the air, but it was quickly interrupted by a voice calling out.
"Class 202, over here! Class 202!" their teacher's voice boomed across the crowded entryway, rising above the noise.
They spotted him standing near the entrance, clipboard in hand, waving students over. Daniel and Diana made their way towards him, weaving through the clusters of students until they joined the growing crowd around the teacher. Aiden, however, was pulled away by a group of his other friends. He glanced back at them and called out, "See ya in class!" before disappearing into the throng.
Diana stood next to Daniel, taking in the scene around her, her gaze occasionally shifting to the students milling about. In the midst of the crowd, she felt small, surrounded by the noise and movement of the other students.
As the students gathered, the teacher began calling out names for roll call. "Olivia… Greg… Emily… David…" he recited, checking off each student as they responded. Diana listened as the names were called, trying to place faces with names, while Daniel stood quietly beside her, his focus on the teacher.
Nearby, Aiden's voice could be heard among his friends, his usual energetic self, while not far from them, Ava was in the middle of a conversation with her own group, her voice loud and clear above the murmur of the students. She laughed and playfully shoved one of her friends, her energy as infectious as always, drawing attention from those around her.
The roll call continued, the teacher's voice echoing through the entryway as the students gathered closer, ready for the class to begin. Finally, as the last name was called and marked off, the teacher closed his clipboard with a sharp clap and gestured towards the gym doors.
As the crowd of students began to shuffle forward, moving as a group towards the entrance, Diana suddenly found herself caught in the middle of a rowdy group of students who were playing around. She was accidentally pushed to the side, losing sight of Daniel in the commotion. For a moment, she felt disoriented, surrounded by the moving sea of students.
But then, through the shifting bodies, Daniel reappeared in front of her. He extended his hand and said, "C'mon," his voice cutting through the noise. Diana didn't have time to process relief—she just felt herself getting pulled through the crowd as she took his hand. Together, they went into the gym.