The speaker crackled again, sharper this time, and every last whisper died instantly.
"This is the principal," the voice repeated, slower now, deliberate. "Due to the reunion week coming to an end—and because the earliest batches will no longer be required to attend regular classes—we will be organizing a grand celebration."
A ripple ran through the classroom.
Jay straightened. "Did he say celebration?"
"For five days," the principal continued. "Yes. Five full days."
That did it.
Chaos tried to rise immediately—chairs creaked, someone gasped dramatically, Eren almost stood up—but the voice didn't stop.
"In order to organize this properly, we will need representatives from each section to attend a meeting in the principal's office immediately after the last bell."
Everyone leaned in.
"From Section E: Lia."
Every head in the room snapped toward her.
Jay didn't say anything, just smiled slowly, knowingly.
"From Section C: Jessica."
Jessica blinked once, then sighed like she'd expected this her whole life.
"From Section A: Ion."
Ion froze. "WHY ME—"
Meera slapped her arm. "Shut up. Congratulations."
"From Section D: Michael."
Somewhere down the hall, someone shouted, "RIP MICHAEL."
"And from Section B: Vishal."
The announcement ended with a calm, final line.
"Representatives are expected to report immediately. All other students will remain in class until further instructions."
The speaker clicked off.
For exactly half a second, the room was silent.
Then
"FIVE DAYS?!" Eren yelled. "FIVE DAYS OF WHAT?" Percy added. "CELEBRATION," Jay said, already grinning. "This school doesn't even survive five minutes," Felix muttered. "They chose Lia," Rory whispered. "Of course they did." "Why is it always her?" Drew asked. "Because she's terrifyingly competent," Jay replied casually.
Lia stood up, calm as ever, grabbing her bag.
Ion was still staring at the door. "I don't want to represent Section A. We're feral."
"You are," Jay agreed. "That's why they picked you."
Jessica adjusted her blazer. "If this turns into a disaster, I'm blaming all of you."
"You're welcome," Percy said.
Angelo glanced at Lia. "I'll walk you partway."
She nodded once.
As the representatives filed out, the classroom exploded behind them.
Hunter leaned toward Jay. "Is it always like this?"
Jay didn't even hesitate. "This is a quiet day."
The hallway outside the principal's office looked like a convergence point for destiny and poor decision-making.
Lia arrived first, standing straight, unreadable.
Jessica joined next, arms crossed. "Five days," she muttered. "That's ambitious."
Ion burst in moments later, hair a mess, eyes wide. "I didn't agree to this. I was selected against my will."
Michael from Section D appeared looking like he'd already accepted defeat.
Vishal followed, calm but cautious, clearly trying to read everyone at once.
They stood there in a strange line—different sections, different energies, one shared sense of impending chaos.
The door opened.
The principal looked at them over his glasses.
"…This," he said slowly, "is exactly what I expected."
They were ushered inside.
Back in class, the remaining students were absolutely not remaining calm.
Jay had taken over Lia's chair.
"That's her seat," someone pointed out.
"She's not here," Jay replied. "I am."
Percy leaned back. "So. Five days. What do you think they'll make us do?"
"Parades," Felix guessed. "Competitions," Rory added. "Public humiliation," Drew said confidently. "Talent shows," Cindy muttered, already recording ideas. "Hunter performing?" someone whispered.
Hunter froze. "I am not—"
Jay turned slowly. "You absolutely are."
Groans, cheers, and arguments overlapped.
Kit leaned into Mayo. "We're going to die, aren't we?"
Mayo smiled sweetly. "Together."
Aries watched the door, arms crossed.
"Whatever they're planning, it's big."
Jay smirked. "Good. Boredom was getting dangerous."
Inside the principal's office, the tension was… polite.
The principal clasped his hands. "This celebration marks the end of an era. The earliest batches are leaving. We want unity. Memory. Impact."
Ion muttered, "We're doomed."
Lia spoke evenly. "What do you need from us?"
The principal smiled—slow, calculating.
"Everything."
Outside, the bell rang faintly.
None of them knew it yet, but the next five days were about to turn the school upside down.
And Section E?
They were going to enjoy every second of it.