The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of the boys' dormitory, casting a soft golden glow over the room. David stretched lazily in his bunk, still reveling in the small victory from the previous night. Clearing Liam's name had not only felt satisfying, but it had also brought them closer as a group. He glanced over to see Ollie already up, brushing his hair in the cracked mirror propped against the wall.
"You're awfully chipper today," David remarked, his voice groggy.
Ollie smirked, adjusting the collar of his school shirt. "Why wouldn't I be? We exposed Tom, gained a new ally, and lived to tell the tale. What's not to love?"
David chuckled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Fair enough. Let's just hope Tom doesn't try anything stupid again."
From across the room, Liam sat tying his shoes. He was quiet, as usual, but his movements carried a sense of ease that hadn't been there before. As if sensing David's gaze, he looked up and offered a faint smile.
"Thanks again," Liam said simply.
"Don't mention it," David replied, throwing on his uniform. "But next time, maybe don't let Tom get under your skin so easily."
Liam's smile widened ever so slightly. "I'll keep that in mind."
By the time they reached the school grounds, the trio had fallen into an easy rhythm. Ollie was recounting a particularly dramatic episode of his favorite TV show, complete with exaggerated hand gestures, while David nodded along with mild amusement.
As they entered the bustling school hallways, a new voice called out to them.
"Oi, David!"
They turned to see a tall, lanky boy with dark, tousled hair striding toward them. His name was Ethan, a classmate of David's and a known joker around the school. Ethan had a knack for finding humor in even the dullest situations, and his mischievous grin was practically his trademark.
"What's up, Ethan?" David asked as the boy fell into step beside them.
Ethan's grin widened. "You've been making waves, mate. Word is, you stood up to Tom and actually won. Didn't think you had it in you."
David shrugged, feigning modesty. "Just doing what needed to be done."
Ethan let out a low whistle. "Well, color me impressed. If you're looking for a career in law enforcement, I think you've got a shot."
Ollie snorted. "More like he's building his superhero origin story."
As they laughed, a group of girls walked by, their chatter filling the hallway. Among them was Emily, a bright and confident girl with curly auburn hair and an infectious laugh. She was one of the most popular students in their year, known for her sharp wit and ability to command attention without even trying.
"Morning, boys," Emily said with a playful wink as she passed.
David felt his cheeks flush slightly. "Morning," he mumbled, earning a smirk from Ethan.
"Well, well," Ethan teased, elbowing David in the ribs. "Somebody's got a soft spot."
"Shut up," David muttered, though he couldn't hide the small smile tugging at his lips.
Later that day, during lunch, the group gathered in their usual spot under the big oak tree in the school courtyard. The area was buzzing with activity students laughing, sharing snacks, and discussing the latest gossip.
"So," Ethan began, leaning back against the tree trunk, "what's the plan for this weekend? I hear the common room's hosting a trivia night. Could be a laugh."
"I'm in," Ollie said immediately. "Nothing like crushing everyone with my superior intellect."
David raised an eyebrow. "You mean your ability to guess and hope for the best?"
"Same difference," Ollie replied with a grin.
Liam, who had been quietly observing the banter, finally spoke up. "I could use a distraction. Count me in."
Ethan clapped his hands together. "Brilliant! It's settled, then. We'll show up, dominate, and bask in the glory of victory."
Emily and her friends walked by again, and this time, she paused, her curious gaze landing on the group. "What's all this talk about victory?"
"Trivia night," Ethan said smoothly. "You joining us?"
Emily tilted her head, her curls bouncing slightly. "Maybe. Depends on whether you lot are any good."
"We're the best," Ollie declared confidently.
Emily chuckled. "We'll see about that."
The school day ended as usual, with students flooding out of classrooms and heading home or back to their hostels. As David, Ollie, and Liam made their way to the hostel, the conversation turned to strategies for trivia night.
"I hope they don't include too many history questions," David said. "I'm rubbish at remembering dates."
"Leave history to me," Liam offered. "I'm good with facts and figures."
"Perfect," Ethan said, slinging an arm around Liam's shoulders. "We've got a solid team. Now we just need to make sure Emily and her friends don't outshine us."
David chuckled, his earlier nervousness about Emily replaced by a sense of excitement. For the first time in a while, things were starting to feel… fun.