Manic Monday

As Ethan, Gabe, and the group finished their breakfast, laughter still ringing from their morning banter, they quickly gathered their trays and headed toward the mess hall exit. Jimmy stretched and yawned loudly, eliciting a playful eye-roll from Eliza.

"Come on, lazy," she teased, nudging him in the ribs. "It's time to get serious. Classes await!"

"Oh, joy," Jimmy replied sarcastically, though a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Just what I was hoping for after nearly dying laughing at breakfast."

Tim chuckled softly, shaking his head at their antics. Ethan gave him a warm, reassuring smile, their connection deeper and more meaningful after everything they'd recently experienced together.

"Let's not be late on our first day back," Steph chimed in cheerfully, her eyes briefly glancing toward Gabe with a smile. Gabe caught her gaze and winked, earning an amused scoff from Kelly.

"You two lovebirds are insufferable," Kelly teased, smirking playfully.

"Jealous much?" Gabe shot back jokingly, nudging her lightly as they exited into the corridor.

As they made their way down the busy hallway, filled with chatter from other recruits, the group gradually split up, each heading to their respective classes. Ethan, Gabe, and Tim walked side by side, their steps synchronized and spirits high despite the day's rigorous schedule.

"Time to face the music, guys," Gabe joked lightly as they approached their training hall. "Let's hope today doesn't involve anything embarrassing."

Tim laughed nervously, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. Ethan placed a comforting hand on Tim's back. "You've got this. We all do."

"Thanks, Ethan," Tim replied warmly, his confidence visibly boosted.

Ethan, Gabe, and Tim entered their combat class together, each receiving a bow as they stepped through the doorway. The sleek, well-crafted bows were lightweight yet sturdy, their wooden surfaces polished smooth, reflecting the overhead lights. Tim eyed his bow nervously, clearly unfamiliar with the weapon.

"Uh, have either of you ever used one of these before?" Tim whispered uncertainly.

"Not since summer camp when I was twelve," Ethan admitted with a laugh, testing the tension of the bowstring.

Gabe shrugged confidently. "I've seen enough movies; how hard can it be?"

Tim's eyes widened slightly. "Wait, are there movies where you're from?"

Gabe laughed warmly, shaking his head. "It's just a figure of speech, Tim."

Ethan leaned in close to Tim, whispering softly, "Gabe is thousands of years old. He's definitely seen a bow and arrow before." Behind the cover of his hand, Ethan quickly snuck a playful peck on Tim's cheek, causing Tim to blush deeply but smile shyly.

Gabe glanced back at them, shaking his head affectionately. "You two are impossible."

Tim laughed softly, feeling the warmth of Ethan's affection settle into his heart. "Yeah, maybe—but in a good way."

The instructor, a tall woman with sharp, attentive eyes, clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Welcome back, recruits. Today, you'll begin learning the fundamentals of archery and ranged combat. Precision, patience, and control will be key."

Tim gulped audibly, prompting Ethan to gently nudge him. "Relax. You've faced tougher things. This should be fun."

Gabe flashed a reassuring smile. "Exactly. And if nothing else, it'll be hilarious watching each other mess up."

The instructor demonstrated proper stance and technique, her movements fluid and precise. As she spoke, a student nearby struggled with her bow, her arms trembling from the strain. Without warning, her fingers slipped, and an arrow shot straight toward the instructor's head.

Suddenly, Tim's vision shifted dramatically. Everything slowed down to an almost surreal pace. His heart pounded loudly in his ears, instincts surging through him. In a blur of motion, Tim moved lightning-fast, his hand darting out to effortlessly catch the arrow mid-flight, inches from the instructor's face.

The entire room froze in stunned silence, all eyes locked on Tim. He stood motionless, the arrow securely in his grip, his own expression filled with shock and disbelief at what he'd just done.

"Tim?" Ethan whispered, breaking the tense silence.

"I—I don't know what happened," Tim stammered, looking from Ethan to Gabe with wide eyes.

The instructor finally regained her composure, approaching Tim cautiously. "Impressive reflexes, recruit. You may have just saved my life. Thank you."

Tim flushed deeply, handing over the arrow with shaky hands. Gabe stepped in quickly to lighten the mood, smirking as he said, "Looks like we discovered Tim's hidden superpower. Maybe you should demonstrate for the class again?"

The class erupted into nervous laughter, easing the tension. Ethan clapped Tim gently on the back, whispering proudly, "Nice job, hero."

Tim smiled weakly, a newfound confidence starting to shine through his lingering embarrassment. "Maybe being a guardian angel has some perks after all."

As the class settled down, the instructor quickly regained control. "Alright everyone, let's refocus! Clearly, safety protocols need repeating," she said firmly, casting a pointed glance at the embarrassed student who had released the arrow.

The recruits resumed their positions, carefully following instructions and whispering occasionally about Tim's heroic catch. Ethan stayed close to Tim, casting proud glances his way. Gabe, sensing Tim's lingering unease, leaned in and joked, "Next time maybe let the instructor duck—keep your superhero identity low-key for now."

Tim chuckled softly, relaxing under Gabe's friendly teasing. "I'll keep that in mind," he replied, feeling a warm sense of belonging among his friends.

Meanwhile, the girls—Steph, Eliza, and Kelly—were in their Programming class, each absorbed in their screens. Steph, ever meticulous, carefully typed lines of code, pausing occasionally to check her work. Eliza was hunched over her tablet, tapping furiously, her brows furrowed with intense concentration. Kelly leaned back in frustration, blowing strands of hair out of her eyes. "If I have to debug one more error, I'm tossing this tablet out the window," she muttered dramatically, earning amused glances and quiet giggles from her friends.

"Speaking of distractions," Eliza whispered, nudging Steph gently, "how's it going with Gabe?"

Steph blushed slightly, a shy smile spreading across her face. "It's good—really good. He's thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly romantic."

"Who knew Gabe had it in him?" Kelly teased, winking playfully. "Jimmy's been really sweet, too. Who would've thought he had such a soft side?"

Eliza rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "And Frank's actually turning out to be charming," she admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Guess we all lucked out."

Steph laughed softly. "Who knew EarthCorp would double as a dating service?"

Meanwhile, Jimmy and Frank sat in their Trigonometry class, half-listening as equations were scribbled onto the board. Jimmy leaned over, whispering, "Did you see Kelly today? She looked amazing."

Frank grinned. "Yeah, and Eliza—she's smart and beautiful. Never thought I'd find someone like her here."

"Gentlemen!" the instructor snapped sharply, jolting both Jimmy and Frank to attention. "Is there something you'd like to share with the class?"

Frank coughed nervously, shaking his head quickly, while Jimmy sheepishly replied, "No, sir. Sorry."

"Save the romance talk for your own time," the instructor scolded, prompting laughter from their classmates.

The morning passed quickly, and everyone's first classes went smoothly despite minor distractions. Eventually, lunchtime arrived, and the entire group reunited eagerly in the bustling mess hall, exchanging cheerful greetings and settling down for food and lively banter.

"Hey Tim," Eliza leaned forward excitedly, "what's this I heard about you catching an arrow mid-air? Is that true?"

Tim shifted uncomfortably, glancing quickly at Gabe and Ethan. Ethan laughed lightly, waving a dismissive hand. "It wasn't a big deal, really. Just a lucky reflex."

"Yeah," Gabe added casually, "the arrow wasn't even flying that fast. Tim just reacted instinctively."

Jimmy and Frank exchanged impressed looks. "Not a big deal?" Jimmy exclaimed. "Dude, that's seriously badass. I've never seen reflexes like that."

Frank nodded eagerly. "Yeah, man, that's superhero-level stuff right there."

Tim blushed fiercely, clearly embarrassed by the attention. "Guys, seriously, it was nothing. Just dumb luck."

Jimmy leaned in, eyes sparkling with admiration. "Well, whatever it was, you're officially my hero."

The table erupted into laughter, though Gabe and Ethan exchanged a subtle glance, relieved their secret remained safe for now.

Their TapWatches soon buzzed, signaling it was time for their next classes. They exchanged goodbyes, each heading in different directions to their respective buildings. Throughout the day, they occasionally caught glimpses of each other between classes, exchanging quick waves or smiles.

By late afternoon, classes concluded, and the friends gradually converged, chatting comfortably about their lessons and amusing incidents from the day as they made their way back to their dorms.

Tim was the first to enter, pausing when he noticed three envelopes neatly arranged on the desk. A sense of unease stirred within him. He stepped forward hesitantly, curiosity mingling with apprehension. Just as he picked up the letters, Ethan, Gabe, Jimmy, and Frank filed in behind him, laughing and recounting their day's events.

"Hey guys, we've got mail," Tim announced quietly, handing envelopes to Frank and Jimmy while holding tightly onto his own.

"Letters?" Jimmy asked, grabbing his eagerly. "Nobody sends me letters unless I'm in trouble."

Frank chuckled, tearing open his envelope. "Same here. Let's hope we didn't get busted for something already."

Tim carefully opened his letter, his expression quickly turning somber. Ethan noticed immediately, concern filling his eyes. "Tim? What's wrong?"

"It's about my mom," Tim whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. And…" He hesitated, staring at the enclosed passes in surprise. "They gave me ten day-passes. It says I can bring friends from the island if I want."

Ethan placed a gentle, reassuring hand on Tim's shoulder. "We'll be there with you. You won't have to face this alone."

A soft chime resonated in Ethan's mind: System Notification: New Assignment: Attend Edna Crane's Funeral Reward: 200 XP

Ethan acknowledged the notification silently, determined to support Tim fully.

"Absolutely," Gabe echoed warmly. "Count us in."

The emotional moment was abruptly interrupted as Jimmy scanned his own letter. "Guys, my schedule just changed. It says I'm now assigned to Ethan and Gabe's classes."

Frank looked up, equally puzzled. "Mine too. That's weird, isn't it?"

Ethan exchanged a wary glance with Gabe, who frowned slightly. "Yeah, definitely strange," Gabe murmured. "Why would Admiral Levine do that?"

Jimmy shrugged, suspicion clear in his tone. "Maybe they're rearranging things…or keeping an eye on someone."

Frank elbowed Jimmy lightly. "Careful, your paranoia's showing. Most roommates share the same schedule. I'm sure that's all it is."

Gabe thought for a moment. "Yeah, I guess that's true."

The group chuckled nervously, tension creeping into their humor. Tim sighed softly, gripping his letter tightly. "Thanks, guys. Knowing you'll all be there really helps."

Jimmy suddenly headed for the bathroom, Gabe swiftly followed. "Give us a minute," Gabe said firmly, pushing the door closed and locking it behind them.

Ethan and Tim exchanged a confused glance, while Frank simply shrugged.

Inside, Jimmy leaned anxiously against the sink, avoiding Gabe's steady gaze. Gabe crossed his arms, his voice firm but gentle. "Alright, Jimmy. What's really going on? Did something else happen with Admiral Levine?"

Jimmy shifted uneasily, finally looking Gabe in the eye. "Not exactly new, but…it's bad."

Gabe raised an eyebrow, waiting for Jimmy to elaborate. After an awkward silence, Jimmy cleared his throat and suddenly moved toward the toilet. "Sorry, man," he said sheepishly. "I seriously can't hold this in anymore."

Gabe's eyes widened with disbelief as Jimmy sat down quickly, clearly distressed. "Really? Right now?"

"I'm sorry! It's nerves or something," Jimmy blurted, his face turning red. An uncomfortable silence settled before it was abruptly broken by Jimmy passing gas loudly, echoing in the small bathroom.

"Oh, come on, Jimmy!" Gabe groaned, covering his face and backing away. "This is supposed to be a serious conversation!"

Jimmy looked even more embarrassed, mumbling, "I swear, it's uncontrollable. I couldn't hold it."

Gabe shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "Unfortunately, this bathroom is turning into everyone's private office. I guess we don't have much of a choice around here."

Jimmy chuckled awkwardly, finally relaxing a bit. "Alright, sorry. Back to business."

Gabe nodded, regaining his composure. "So, Levine? Any changes or new orders?"

Jimmy shook his head, sighing heavily. "No, it's the same. He still wants Ethan watched closely. Told me to keep an eye on everything and report back. He didn't give me anything new yet."

Gabe nodded thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "Listen carefully, Jimmy. Next time you talk to Admiral Levine, I want you to offer him whatever help he needs. Make it clear you're willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead. Make him trust you completely."

Jimmy's eyes widened slightly. "You want me to play along? Like a double agent?"

"Exactly," Gabe said firmly. "Feed his ego. If we play this right, he'll reveal exactly what he wants from Ethan, and then we can figure out how to handle it."

Jimmy sighed deeply, looking determined yet apprehensive. "Alright. I'll do it. Anything to keep everyone safe."

"Good man," Gabe said, giving Jimmy an approving nod. "Now hurry up and finish your business before you gas us both out of here."

Jimmy laughed sheepishly. "Got it." Gabe unlocked the door, stepping out while shaking his head in amusement. "Bathrooms as offices—what's next?" he mumbled to himself, grinning.

Everybody, eager to use the bathroom and shower before seeing their girlfriends at dinner, piled comically into the bathroom. Jimmy, still obviously battling some stomach distress, hurriedly occupied the stall, loudly apologizing in advance for any embarrassing noises that might follow. Gabe rolled his eyes, grabbing a toothbrush and loudly chatting about Stephanie.

"She's amazing, guys. Honestly, I don't know how I got so lucky," Gabe said dreamily, brushing his teeth vigorously.

Ethan chuckled from the sink beside him, rinsing off his face. "Funny how things change, huh? You really didn't even like Stephanie at first. You called her 'bossy' and said she was annoying."

Gabe turned bright red, spitting toothpaste into the sink. "Shut up, Ethan. I never said that."

"Yeah, you did," Ethan teased playfully, nudging Tim who was quietly shampooing his hair. "Back me up here, Timmy."

Tim blushed deeply, uncomfortable with the sudden attention, and turned away slightly, only to find Frank stepping into the shower stall right beside him. His nervousness increased, making him nearly drop the shampoo bottle. "Uhh…yeah, something like that," he mumbled shyly.

Frank grinned, oblivious to Tim's anxiety. "Dude, Gabe, you've got it bad! You haven't shut up about Stephanie since we got in here."

Gabe laughed awkwardly, turning back to the mirror. "Alright, alright, I admit it. I wasn't exactly her biggest fan on day one, but that changed fast."

A loud, unfortunate noise erupted from Jimmy's stall, followed by a muffled, "Sorry guys, really sorry." Followed by an amused chuckle.

Everyone burst out laughing, Gabe shaking his head. "Jimmy, you're killing me, man. This bathroom has officially become our office, meeting room, and apparently your personal symphony hall."

"At least it's not boring!" Jimmy shouted back through the stall door, triggering another wave of laughter.

The group finally finished up in the chaotic bathroom, laughter still echoing as they dressed and prepared for dinner with the girls. Ethan glanced at his watch, "We should get moving if we're going to meet the girls on time."

Jimmy nodded, emerging sheepishly from the stall. "Yeah, I think I feel human again."

Tim smirked, adjusting his shirt. "Glad to hear it, Jimmy. You really gave us quite the concert."

Everyone chuckled as they quickly tidied up, grabbing their things and heading out the door.

As they walked toward the girls' dorm, Frank nudged Jimmy playfully. "Try to keep it together around Kelly tonight, huh?"

Jimmy blushed, rolling his eyes. "Ha-ha, very funny."

They arrived at the girls' dorm to find Stephanie, Eliza, and Kelly already waiting outside. Stephanie smiled brightly at Gabe, taking his arm and kissing him gently on the cheek, while Eliza comfortably fell into step beside Frank. Kelly shot Jimmy a teasing grin. "You feeling okay, Jimmy? You look a little flushed."

Jimmy laughed nervously. "Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Perfectly fine."

Ethan and Tim walked slightly behind the others, their hands occasionally brushing, sending a pleasant warmth through both of them. Tim glanced shyly at Ethan, a small, grateful smile forming. "Thanks for everything, Ethan."

Ethan squeezed Tim's hand lightly. "Anytime." As Tim glanced ahead at the couples holding hands and sneaking quick kisses on the cheek, Ethan noticed a hint of disappointment cross Tim's face, as if he felt left out or was missing out on something.

Ethan looked around, seeing that the hallway was completely empty. He abruptly stopped walking, causing Tim to stop alongside him.

"What's wrong?" Tim asked, concerned.

"I forgot something," Ethan responded softly. He placed his hands gently but firmly on Tim's chest, pushing him against the hallway wall. Ethan leaned in, his lips meeting Tim's in a deep, passionate kiss.

Completely absorbed in the moment, they had no idea their friends had backtracked to check on them. Suddenly, loud applause erupted down the hallway, accompanied by enthusiastic whistles and cheering from their friends.

"Finally!"

Ethan smiled softly, his heart racing as applause and playful cheers echoed down the hallway. He gently took Tim's hand. Tim was speechless, his cheeks flushed deeply as they approached their exuberant friends. Eyes dazed and bright, and still lost in the moment, they moved toward their friends' enthusiastic reactions. Tim's cheeks remained flushed, clearly overwhelmed and yet pleasantly surprised by the affection and support surrounding them. Ethan tightened his hold slightly, sharing a quiet, reassuring smile with Tim as their friends continued to tease and cheer.

The group arrived at the mess hall, settling around their usual table. Dinner was lively, filled with laughter, teasing, and affectionate exchanges. Gabe couldn't help but continuously glance at Stephanie, clearly smitten, drawing gentle ribbing from Ethan and Frank.

"Hey, Gabe," Ethan teased, nudging him lightly, "maybe we should give you and Stephanie your own table."

Gabe chuckled, unfazed. "Maybe we should. You jealous, Ethan?"

Ethan smirked, leaning toward Tim. "Not in the slightest."

Tim blushed deeply, eliciting more laughter from the table.

As dinner concluded, the group rose, chatting animatedly about their plans for the evening. It felt like the perfect end to an eventful day, surrounded by laughter, friendship, and blossoming relationships.