Meanwhile, in the classroom, chaos had already begun to bloom — courtesy of Drake's friends.
Caleb and Levi were throwing rolled-up paper balls at each other, pretending like they weren't.
Zayn was balancing a pen on his upper lip while trying to make Lucas laugh — which was clearly working, because Lucas was half-choking in silent laughter.
Ben, seated sideways,earning chuckles from all directions.
And right in the middle of all this madness…
Drake sat slouched in his chair, legs lazily stretched out, one hand in his pocket. He wasn't part of the chaos — just observing with bored eyes, chewing gum slowly like he had zero interest in anything happening around him. His head tilted slightly, a signature smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. watching everything with a tired kind of arrogance.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Axel and his gang — Liam, Mike, and Steve — strutted in like they owned the place. They took their seats with loud chairs-scraping-the-floor energy, eyes scanning the room like it was enemy territory.
For a second, the tension in the room thickened.
Axel's eyes landed on Drake.
Drake didn't move — just chewed his gum, expression unreadable.
Levi whispered to Caleb, "Oh damn. Round 2 loading."
Just as the room began to tense — the door flung open again.
"Good morning, class."
It was the teacher.
Everyone — every single student — instantly went quiet like someone hit mute. Papers were hidden, phones disappeared, chairs straightened.
Drake casually spit his gum into a tissue and leaned back like he'd been studying all along.
The teacher raised an eyebrow, already suspicious but too tired to care.
"Let's begin."
And just like that, the chaos paused — bueveryth.
________________________________________
In her class, Hazel sat quietly, head down, diligently taking notes as the teacher dictated. Her handwriting was neat, her focus sharp — at least until the bell rang, echoing through the corridor.
The teacher gathered her books.
"That's all for now. Next period, students."
She walked out.
And instant chaos broke loose.
Chairs dragged. Laughter erupted. Paper balls flew through the air. Someone started beatboxing in the back.
But Hazel?
She just buried her face into the desk, arms folded, completely still — like the noise around her didn't exist.
A few minutes later, the door banged open. A student burst in, practically jumping with excitement.
"GUYS! The maths teacher is on leave today — no class!"
The entire classroom exploded.
"Yessssss!"
"Freedom!"
"God bless that teacher!"
Some students high-fived. Others started planning snack breaks. Someone was already halfway out the door.
Hazel still hadn't moved.
She stayed in the same position, head tucked into her arms, completely unfazed, like the world could collapse and she'd still be lying there.
The bell rang, signaling the break.
Hazel stepped out of class, rubbing her temples as she made her way toward the cafeteria. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Zayn and Levi already seated at their usual spot, half-laughing over something.
She walked over and plopped into the seat beside them.
Zayn: "Hey, how was class?"
Levi: "Her face already says it—boring as hell."
Hazel laughed and rolled her eyes.
Hazel: "Where are the others?"
Levi smirked: "Why? Did you miss Drake?"
Hazel: "Seriously?" she groaned.
Zayn: "Come on, you can admit it. We won't tell the others. Promise." He winked dramatically.
Hazel: "Oh, thank you sooo much," she said sarcastically.
Levi: "See? She admitted it. That's my girl." He threw an arm around her shoulder.
Hazel: "You both better shut your mouths. Idiots."
She pushed his arm away, but she was smiling.
Just then, the rest of the gang entered — Drake, Lucas, Caleb, and Ben — loud as ever.
Hazel: "Guys. No fighting today. Please."
Ben (grinning): "Okay, okay. But we didn't start any fights… yet."
Hazel: "Just don't fight."
She gave him a tired look.
Caleb: "We'll try."
Hazel raised an eyebrow at him, narrowing her eyes playfully. They all got their snacks and settled into their usual chaotic conversations.
Not too far away, Axel and his gang sat at another table, clearly watching them. But while the others glanced now and then, Axel's gaze was fixed—on Hazel.
Liam: "Can we punch them already?"
Steve: "Not this time. Right, Axel?"
Mike: "Axel? Hello? You good?"
Axel (snapping out of it): "Yeah, I'm listening."
Steve: "Then what are you thinking?"
Axel: "Nothing. Just… go call Hazel."
Mike: "For what?"
Steve (raising an eyebrow): "Okay… but you better tell us the plan later."
Axel: "Just do it."
Steve nodded and walked toward their table. The moment he stopped in front of Hazel, the table quieted.
Steve: "Hazel, can you come with me?"
Hazel looked up, puzzled.
Drake (instantly): "No. She won't."
Steve: "I asked her, not you."
Zayn: "And we asked what you want from her?"
Steve: "None of your business."
Caleb: "Min—"
Hazel (cutting in): "Relax, guys. Why are you all acting insane? He just asked me. It's not a big deal."
Steve reached out to grab her wrist—
But Drake slapped his hand off, hard.
Zayn immediately pulled Hazel up, wrapping his arm protectively around her neck as they walked past Axel's table.
Drake to Steve (coldly): "Play with someone else."
As Drake passed Axel, he didn't say a word. Just threw him a slow smirk.
Axel's jaw clenched.
Meanwhile, Zayn still had his arm across Hazel's neck like a headlock.
Hazel (gasping): "Can you please remove your arm? I'm not trying to die today."
Zayn: "Oops—sorry!"
He quickly dropped his arm.
Hazel: "Why are you guys like this?"
Caleb (teasing): "Like what?"
Hazel smacked his arm.
Lucas: "Because he's not that good."
Ben: "Yeah. He's no angel, okay?"
Drake (flatly): "You better stay away from them."
Hazel: "What? Why is everyone giving me orders?"
Levi: "You control us 24/7, don't act innocent. So why can't we take turns?"
Hazel: "I'm not like you guys, okay?"
And with that, she sped up and walked ahead, annoyed.
Behind her, the boys burst into laughter.