The cafeteria was always busy at dinner, but tonight, it was pure chaos.
The moment Lise and I stepped inside, the noise hit us like a wall. The clatter of trays, the hum of countless conversations, and the frantic footsteps of people dashing between the tables made it feel more like a battlefield than a place to eat.
Every table seemed full, with students jostling for space, and the lines at the food counters were longer than usual, stretching back into the hallway.
Lise gave me a look, half amused, half horrified. "Is this some kind of test? Do we have to duel to the death for food?"
I laughed, but the sight of the overcrowded room made my stomach tighten. "Maybe. You ready?"
"If it comes to that," she said, cracking a grin, "I'll protect you."
We dove into the fray, heading for the nearest food counter. The line barely moved, and students in front of us were getting increasingly impatient.
