The evening sky was a blend of fiery orange and soft purple as the boys settled into the common room of the hostel. It was a large, airy space that served as a hub for students to relax, study, and socialize. On one side, a few students were engrossed in their books, while others chatted in small groups or shared snacks bought from Mrs. Carter's mini-store.
David, Ollie, and Liam took their usual spot near the corner, where a large window overlooked the small courtyard outside. The golden light bathed the room, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
"Alright," Ollie began, cracking his knuckles dramatically, "if we're going to crush trivia night, we need a plan."
David rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. "Ollie, it's a trivia night, not a military operation."
"Every great victory starts with preparation," Ollie retorted, his tone mock-serious.
Liam smirked, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "I don't think guessing answers counts as preparation."
As the banter continued, a group of students entered the room, their loud laughter drawing everyone's attention. Among them was Jake, a senior known for his sharp tongue and competitive streak. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a self-assured smirk that seemed permanently etched on his face.
Jake's eyes scanned the room, landing on David and his friends. With a swagger that bordered on arrogance, he strolled over, followed closely by his crew.
"Well, if it isn't the trivia dream team," Jake said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
David sat up, narrowing his eyes slightly. "What do you want, Jake?"
Jake feigned innocence, placing a hand over his heart. "Me? Nothing at all. Just heard you lot are joining trivia night. Thought I'd come and wish you luck - you'll need it."
Ollie snorted. "Why? Afraid we'll outshine you?"
Jake's smirk widened. "Not a chance. But I admire your optimism. Should make losing a bit less painful."
The tension in the room thickened as the two groups sized each other up. It wasn't uncommon for rivalries to emerge in the hostel, especially during events like trivia night, where pride and bragging rights were at stake.
David leaned forward, his tone calm but firm. "We'll see who's laughing by the end of the night."
Jake raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Looking forward to it, mate." With that, he turned on his heel, his crew trailing behind him.
As the room settled back into its usual hum of activity, Ethan walked in, his arms loaded with snacks from Mrs. Carter's store. He dropped them onto the table with a grin.
"What did I miss?" he asked, plopping down beside David.
"Jake being Jake," David replied, grabbing a bag of crisps.
Ethan groaned. "Ugh, that guy. Always acting like he owns the place."
"Well, he's not the only one with a brain," Ollie said, grabbing a chocolate bar. "We've got this."
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as the group enjoyed their snacks, their earlier encounter with Jake fueling their determination.
Later that evening, the common room transformed into a lively hub of activity. Boys and girls gathered in clusters, some playing card games while others chatted animatedly. David noticed Emily sitting with her friends on the opposite side of the room, her laughter carrying over the general din.
"Go talk to her," Ethan whispered, nudging David with his elbow.
David shook his head, feeling his cheeks warm. "Not now. She's with her friends."
"You're hopeless," Ethan teased, though there was a twinkle of encouragement in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Ollie was busy debating movie plot holes with a girl named Sophie, a sharp-tongued and quick-witted student who had no patience for bad arguments.
"You can't seriously think that ending made sense," Sophie was saying, her arms crossed.
"It made perfect sense if you paid attention," Ollie shot back, though his grin suggested he was enjoying the argument more than trying to win it.
David watched the exchange with mild amusement, grateful for the moments of levity amidst the competitive tension building toward trivia night.
As the evening wound down, David found himself gazing out the window, lost in thought. The glow of the streetlights outside cast long shadows, and the distant hum of traffic added a soothing rhythm to the night.
"What's on your mind?" Liam asked quietly, breaking the silence.
David hesitated, then sighed. "Just thinking about everything school, trivia night, my family."
Liam nodded, his expression thoughtful. "You're not alone, you know. We're all juggling things. But we've got each other."
David smiled faintly. "Yeah, we do."
The camaraderie in the hostel was one of its defining features, a thread that connected even the most unlikely of friends. And as David looked around the room, taking in the laughter and chatter, he felt a renewed sense of determination.
Jake might have the upper hand now, but the game was far from over.