They lingered on the bench longer than they meant to.
The courtyard had slipped into that strange, in-between quiet—the kind that came only after days of noise, nerves, and exam-scribbled chaos.
It wasn't peaceful exactly, just… hollow. Like everyone was holding their breath.
Noel sipped the last of his drink, eyes half-lidded as if watching something far off.
Beside him, Emily scrolled absently through her phone, thumb hovering over the screen without really moving.
"Emily's foot tapped, restless. Noel's hand tightened on his cup. The tension still sat in their shoulders, quiet but heavy."
Then George stood, back popping with the stretch. "Alright," he muttered, steeling his tone. "Let's go rip the Band-Aid."
No one argued.
Noel stood first, Luca following without a word.
Emily slipped her phone into her pocket and fell into step beside them.
As they rounded the path toward the admin block, the hum of low voices met them.
