Start Of The Minigames

1:28 PM.
Malakai, Ray and Maria were walking to the building where the minigames were being held. On their way, they saw other students from different classes walking as well. The sky was cloudy with a slight cold breeze. Even though September didn't feel like autumn due to the summer-like weather, it certainly felt like autumn now. October brought that feeling.
Malakai had his hands in his pockets; whenever he walked, he had his hands in his pockets; even when he stood still, most of the time, Malakai had his hands in his pockets. But this time, he was trying to keep warm,
"Malakai, are you good?" Ray asked, looking at Malakai, who was slightly shivering.
"I'm cold", he shakily replied.
"You don't like the cold?" Maria asked, walking next to him.
"I hate it. I hate winter and autumn, " he replied, bringing his body together to warm himself.
"I like winter; it's my favourite season", Maria said joyfully, like a little kid.
"You're one of those girls", he said, looking at her like she was a little kid.
"What does that mean?" She curiously asked, interpreting it as a bad thing.
"Can't tell you. But you know what, I can let it slide. If you said autumn was your favourite, we can't be friends", Malakai replied, looking at the grey sky.
"Why?" Ray laughed, thinking Malakai was being weird again.
"Autumn is the most useless season. Ahh, you're not ready for that debate yet", Malakai stopped himself from ranting.
"It's not useless", Maria said, smiling, wanting to know his reasoning.
"Trust me, you're not ready", Malakai reassured, shaking his head.
They got closer to the building, and Ray noticed something,
"A lot of people are looking at us".
"Not us. They're looking at Maria", Malakai clarified.
Maria looked down because she knew it was true. She had been used to the looks as she had been surrounded by them her whole life, but strangely, at this moment, it bothered her.
"Sorry about that", she apologised, embarrassed.
"Na, it's calm. I wanna see a guy ask you out" Malakai smiled and let his intrusive thoughts out.
"What?" Ray questioned quickly, turning to Malakai, getting second-hand embarrassment when he said that. Maria was also shocked to hear that.
"I wanna see what their pickup lines would be", Malakai answered, like what he said was normal.
"They're not asking you out", Ray said to make sure.
"Obviously, but imma be watching. Free entertainment".
Maria giggled while Ray sighed in disappointment. This was the type of shit Ray heard on the regular, and yet every time he heard something new, it didn't fail to disappoint him.
The three of them reached the building and walked in. As soon as they entered, they saw the reception, and it was large. In the reception, there were barriers, and to get past the barriers, you had to scan your student ID. This building looked brand new; it was clean and modernised. They all got through the barriers and followed the signs to the hall. They entered the final doors and saw a spacious room with students inside.
"Wooah!" Ray said, looking around. The hall was massive; there was an open space in the middle, and on the sides, there were foldable seats for people to rest or watch.
"There's two of these buildings?" Maria questioned herself, as she knew that the other minigames were happening at the same time.
"Do you know anyone from these classes?" Ray asked Maria to start a conversation.
"No, I haven't met anyone in any other class. I've only talked to people in our class," Maria answered, looking at Ray.
"I hope I can talk to some people now", Maria said, looking at new faces. "What about you?" Maria returned the question.
"Not really. I'm like you. I've only talked to our class", he answered, also looking at the new faces around the hall.
"What about you, Malakai?" She asked while turning around, but when she turned, she saw Malakai further forward split apart from them. Malakai was looking around to see any familiar faces, but he is short, so it was kinda tricky.
"MALAKAAIII!!!"
Malakai heard his voice being called out, and the voice came towards him. As soon as he turned to the voice, Nada hugged him like their first encounter.
"Yo, you good?" Malakai greeted, reciprocating the hug with one arm.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What about you?" She answered, breaking from the hug.
"I'm calm".
Maria froze in place briefly, watching the whole thing alongside everyone else around them. It was a weird sight for everyone; a cute girl with pink hair ran towards Malakai and hugged him for everyone to see.
"Umm, w-who is she?" Maria asked, slowly turning her head to Ray, wanting to keep her eyes on Nada and Malakai.
"Oh. How do I say this? I think they're friends. Their relationship is complicated", Ray not knowing how to explain their connection without making it sound like bullshit.
"Complicated?"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Academy. The other group had entered their building. They were one of the last few to get in.
"This feels so awkward", William said, feeling the eyes on him.
"I get what you mean; I'm feeling mad pressure right now", Lucas replied, looking at the walls, trying not to make eye contact with people.
"Everyone's looking at us, that's why", Benjamin answered with his hands in his pockets and looking at people who were looking at them.
"Having Malakai would've been good here", David admitted. "Maybe what he said about having all the eyes on him was right".
"You feeling nervous, David?" Benjamin asked, smirking and looking at him.
"A little bit; it feels like everyone is judging us".
"I think they are judging us; look at their faces", Delilah said, standing next to David, seeing eyes with frowned eyebrows. She wasn't wrong; everyone else in the room was above them in terms of class. Dirty looks focused on the four boys; everyone knows they are associated with Malakai.