The meeting (2)

"So, are we going to draw now, or…?" Noah asked, his voice unsure as he glanced at Maiya and Ryan.

"Relax," Maiya said, leaning back in her chair. "You can work on it when you're free. We'll submit the drawings for the art battle on Monday."

"Monday works," Ryan chimed in. "That gives us the weekend to prepare. More than enough time to crush both of you." He shot a smirk in Maiya's direction.

Maiya rolled her eyes, then looked at Noah. "What about you? Monday sound good?"

"Yeah, okay," Noah replied, nodding.

"Alright, moving on." Liam clapped his hands together and turned to Kevin. "So, Kev, what's this other important topic you said we had to discuss? You've been hyping it up all day."

Kevin shifted in his seat, suddenly looking nervous. "Uhhh… about that…"

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on, just spit it out already!"

"Yeah, don't be shy," Liam added, leaning forward. "We're all waiting."

Kevin sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's… about a girl."

The room fell into stunned silence before everyone except Noah erupted at once.

"A girl?!" Liam burst out, laughing so hard he nearly fell off his chair. "Kevin, the black hole? Are you serious?"

"Who's the girl?!" Sarah demanded, leaning forward with wide eyes.

"How'd you meet her?" Maiya asked, smirking.

"Is she sexy?" Ryan added, a sly grin spreading across his face.

Kevin held up his hands, trying to calm them down. "Guys! One question at a time!" He turned to Ryan. "And yes, she's sexy as hell."

Liam was still laughing, wiping a tear from his eye. "Alright, hold on a second. Do you like this girl, or are you actually dating her? Because, no offense, Kev, but that would be hard to believe."

"Dude, not everyone's a smooth-talking asshole like you, Liam," Kevin shot back. "I've only talked to her once."

Maiya crossed her arms, a playful glint in her eyes. "So? Who is she?"

Kevin hesitated, then finally said, "She's a student at Eastern Girls High."

Sarah's expression froze, her usual confident demeanor faltering for a brief moment. "Wait… she goes to my school?"

Kevin nodded, looking hopeful. "Yeah! That's why I wanted to ask you, Sarah. Can you, like, set me up with her?"

Sarah forced a smile, but her hands clenched tightly on her lap. "What's… what's her name?"

"Annie," Kevin said, his voice almost dreamy. "She's perfect. Long black hair, amazing smile… everything about her is just… wow."

Sarah's face darkened as she stared at the floor. "A-Annie?"

"Yeah," Kevin said, oblivious to her reaction. "You said you're popular at school, right? I figured you might know her."

"Yeah," Sarah said quietly. "Yeah, I know her."

"Perfect!" Kevin beamed. "So, can you set me up on a date with her?"

"Whoa, whoa!" Liam interrupted, holding up a hand. "Slow down, Romeo. You're biting off more than you can chew here."

Kevin frowned. "What do you mean? You've met her?"

"Seen her," Liam admitted with a smirk. "She's definitely sexy. I'll give you that. But if you want to date a girl like Annie, you've got some work to do."

Kevin scowled. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you body-shaming me, Liam?"

Liam barked out a laugh. "No, dumbass. I mean you need to clean yourself up. Take a bath once in a while. You're the literal definition of a Discord mod right now."

Kevin shot up from his chair, glaring. "I'll kill you, Liam."

"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" Liam grinned, completely unfazed.

"Dead. You're dead."

"Alright, alright!" Maiya interjected, stepping between them. "Liam, stop provoking him. Kevin, sit down before you give yourself a heart attack."

Kevin grumbled but sat back down.

Liam smirked. "Alright, let's be serious for a second. Sarah, are you sure you can talk to Annie for him?"

Sarah's head snapped up. "Huh?"

"Can you talk to her on Monday?" Liam repeated. "Or do you have her phone number or something?"

"I… I don't have her number," Sarah said quickly. "But I'll talk to her on Monday. I'll… see how it goes."

Kevin's face lit up. "Thanks, Sarah. I owe you big time."

"No problem," Sarah said, her voice shaky as she avoided everyone's gaze.

Ryan rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Are we here to talk about the three-chapter tournament or Kevin's love life?"

"Shut up, virgin," Liam shot back. "At least Kevin's trying to talk to a girl. When's the last time you talked to a girl? And no, your mom doesn't count."

Ryan's pencil snapped in his hand. "You piece of—"

Before Ryan could launch himself at Liam, Ethan stepped in, holding up both hands. "Stop. Both of you."

Liam grinned, turning to Ethan. "Alright, alright, I'll behave. Don't want to upset my baby boy."

"Please stop calling me that," Ethan said flatly.

"What's wrong, darling?" Liam teased. "Does it make you shy?"

"Liam…" Ethan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Maiya laughed. "Alright, I think that's enough for today. Kevin, you've got your answer. Meeting over?"

"Yeah, I guess," Kevin muttered, still glaring at Liam.

"Alright, see you all tomorrow," Sarah said quickly, grabbing her bag and rushing out of the room.

Ryan muttered something under his breath before storming out, and Ethan followed silently.

Liam stretched. "Well, that was fun. Shall we head out?"

"Sure," Maiya said.

"Let us drop you at your place," Liam offered.

"Fine."

"Just fine ?" Liam said, feigning offense.

"What do you want me to say?" Maiya shot back.

"I don't know. Maybe offer us some food?"

Noah's stomach growled loudly, and his face turned red. "I guess I'm a little hungry…"

Maiya laughed. "Alright, fine. You guys can eat at my family's café. But I'm warning you, Liam. Don't flirt with my sister."

"Relax." Liam grinned. "I won't. Probably."

Maiya rolled her eyes as the three of them headed off.