Kurin's head hit the table with a thunk, if there was any form of torture higher than Monday morning math class, they'd never want to experience it.

In their humble opinion, math is the second most useless subject to be taught in schools in regards to the amount of shit they're taught that will never help them in the real world. Second only to science because when will knowing atomic structure ever help them in life? At least basic math has merit.

The only saving grace of math was the seating plan. Sitting next to Julia was more than worth it, their roommate's best friend always had paper to draw on and hated math almost as much as they did, which never hurt. Especially since it stopped Kurin from getting in trouble for drawing in their math book, that was once a whole thing, never to be repeated.

Especially not now, Kurin was dealing with a little too much at the moment already. Breakfast that morning had been the most awkward thing they'd ever experienced, Callie, Chad and Chester had carried the entire conversation between them while Kurin and Chet had sat in silence at opposite ends of the table and done all they could not to make eye contact or even look in each other's general direction while also pretending nothing had happened so the others didn't notice and become nosy.

For once math class was almost a welcome distraction from all that, as was the crumpled up piece of paper flicked over in their direction. Trying not to bring any attention to it, they slowly opened it up, reading the handwriting Julia had scrawled on it.

"Yay math class, said no one ever!!" She'd written along with a scribbled drawing of the rolling eyes emoji.

They stifled a laugh before writing back, "For real. Monday morning math class is going to be the death of me." And pushing it discreetly across the desk to Julia.

Moments later they received the paper back with a new addition. "Well, I think Paul is already asleep, I wonder which One of Us is Next?" She'd written.

Kurin bit back a grin, loving how Julia had understood their reference to their favourite book series. Glad that some of their friends were capable of appreciating good literature, unlike Paul who Kurin was ninety nine percent certain had never read a book in his entire life.

They didn't know how he lived like that, having never experienced the joy of reading a horror or mystery book that scares you shitless when you read it in the light of a torch under the covers of your bed at two am, wondering due to paranoia if each snore from your roommate is the sound of a killer coming to get you.

Although, considering how easily scared Paul seems to be... Perhaps reading a Monster High book in the sunlight on a warm day could be enough to freak him out...

Eventually, math class ended as it had begun; Boringly. The two exited the classroom and waited for Noah to join them, finally he left the room, followed closely by Paul and Felix. Upon seeing Kurin and Julia, Noah let out a loud fake groan, clutching his head in an over exaggerated version of pain. "God help me, Paul snored the whole lesson, it gave me a headache." He complained.

Julia rolled her eyes, "That would be your own fault for not waking him up. Are you going to go to the nurse's office?" She asked while Paul protested quietly that he already said he was sorry, only to get ignored by everyone other than Felix.

The silver haired boy shook his head slowly, "Nah, I have headache tablets in my bag." He replied, seeming much more perked up already. "So, what's up with you guys?" He asked.

"We just passed notes and made awful puns referencing books." Julia answered, smirking slightly as Noah started to tell them how lucky they were being able to do that when he was stuck beside a sleeping friend and an asshole. Marco Chezanello to be precise.

The five began to walk as they talked on their way towards music class, Kurin's all time favourite class. Paul screwed his nose up in confusion, "I don't get why you guys always talk about those books." He said.

Kurin raised an eyebrow at him in indignation, "That's because you've probably never touched a book in your life." They retorted.

All at once, Noah and Julia both raised their eyebrows and exchanged a glance. "They don't know?" Julia asked.

"They do not know." Noah confirmed, grinning.

Suddenly, Kurin was unsure if they wanted to know what the two were talking about because their expressions made them look positively evil. Felix had also started to giggle quietly behind one hand as Paul blushed bright red, "We don't talk about that!" The tallest of the group protested.

In response, Julia shook her head. "Sorry Paul but we absolutely do talk about it." She snickered, barely bothering to pretend to feel any pity for the boy.
Noah then leaned slightly closer to Kurin, "Paul has read every single one of the My Little Pony Equestria Girls books." He whispered.

Kurin and Felix laughed quietly to themselves as Noah, Paul and Julia began bickering about whether or not that was even true.

Their bickering continued all the way to the music room, which.. The music room. It doesn't take a genius of Athena's level to figure out what Kurin's favourite class is, it's clearly music. The second they entered the room, their mood was lifted even more by the thought of an hour and a quarter of just music class.

"Everyone stand at the back of the classroom please, I'll explain why once everyone's arrived." Miss Bliss announced, the five all moved to do just that, Kurin separating from the rest of the group and moving to stand near Shun and Lia.

The couple were involved in conversation as they approached but upon noticing Kurin they paused their discussion. "Oh, good morning Kurin." Shun smiled. The non-binary music lover quickly returned the boy's greeting, smiling in return. "We were just talking about what we think could be happening." The blond male explained quietly.

Lia nodded in agreement, "I think it could be a new seating plan but Shun thinks it's going to be a new class project." She filled them in, then switched into her journalistic mode "What do you think could be happening?" She asked, prompting Kurin for information.

After thinking for a few seconds, they shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not sure." They answered, although they were hoping it wasn't a new seating plan. They quite liked their seat at the fifth keyboard on the right side of the classroom.

The blue haired girl deflated slightly then nodded, "Fair enough I suppose." She mumbled, clearly disappointed at not getting a third idea as to what could be happening.
Her boyfriend laughed softly and gently took hold of Lia's hand. "We'll find out soon, when the others all arrive." He reminded her, reassuringly.

Lia nodded again, more confidently this time. "You're right, I guess I'm just impatient to know." She laughed in response, almost imperceptibly squeezing her boyfriend's hand in a silent thanks for his reassurance.

The three began to idly talk as the classroom filled up with their classmates until finally there were only two left to arrive. Just seconds before the late bell, the first of the missing two ran through the classroom door. "Sorry I'm late!" Dan apologised, slightly out of breath from running so fast. "I was doing something... Important!" He explained as he joined his partners at the back of the classroom.

Only for Athena to enter the room a second later looking visibly frustrated, "Sorry I'm late, Miss Bliss." She apologised calmly before turning to Dan, "He just tried to push me down the fucking stairs." She glared at the red streaked boy, who stuck his tongue out in response. Athena grew more annoyed at that, "Why you!"

"Now, now... We must all calm down." Miss Bliss spoke softly. "I'm aware of your rivalry but perhaps don't push each other down the stairs and maybe don't lash out at him in response." The words weren't aimed at them but Kurin almost shivered, Miss Bliss had a unique way of not telling people off that made them realise the errors of their ways and feel more disappointed in themselves than if they were being scolded and given detention.

The two rivals looked guilty and both mumbled their apologies to Miss Bliss and each other. The teacher nodded calmly as Athena took her place in the back of the classroom. "Right, now... Onto why everyone's standing at the back of the classroom." She smiled, the wrinkles under her eyes turning upwards and clapped her hands together softly, "Today class, we're starting a new project."

Instantly, a mix of excited whispers and annoyed groans spread through the room but everyone fell silent again as their green haired teacher began to continue her explanation. "Firstly, everyone is going to split into pairs, no matter how much some of you would like to work in larger groups or alone." Multiple people visibly deflated at that. "In your pairs you will pick a song to make a cover of; that can be any song, no matter how serious, amusing, complex or easy you'd like it to be and you can change your chosen song as many times as you'd like before the deadline so long as you have something complete by the end." She explained with a warm smile to the class.

Athena raised her hand, "Excuse me but when is the deadline?" She asked politely.

Miss Bliss smiled at the question, "The deadline is in three weeks, so no one's expected to create a masterpiece, just have fun with it and have a complete song cover by the end of those three weeks." She answered.

Towards the back of the room someone else raised their hand, Miss Bliss allowed them to speak. "Will you be choosing our partners or do we pick our own?" A short male- George, asked.

"An excellent question George," Their teacher nodded, "You'll all pick your own, which is what you'll be doing right now. Listen to your inner voice and trust it to help you choose the perfect partner to work with on this project..." She clasped her hands together in front of her and closed her eyes. "Now begin."

With that instruction, the whole room became a lot livelier as everyone started calling out names or bickering over who they wanted to team up with. Kurin looked around them to see who they could team up with... Beside them, Shun and Lia had already teamed up and were discussing song choices already while across the room they could see their roommate playing rock paper scissors with his three friends to decide who would pair up with who. The loud accusation that "Paul is fucking cheating!" was not missed by anyone in the room.

They continued to look around, not bothering to consider Wynton or Jenny as they'd obviously be a pair already and taking note of Dan, Magnus and Ajit discussing who would team up with who. Callie had run up to Athena and seemed to be asking to partner up with her, then Zhao appeared to have convinced Pepe to begrudgingly team up with him.

No one had asked them. Of course they hadn't, everyone already had a partner except- No.

There was one other person in the class who didn't have a teammate yet. They'd just spotted him but.. They couldn't.

Of all the people who could've possibly been left for Kurin to team up with, why did the only remaining one have to be Chet Chipman? After yesterday too, it really couldn't have been anyone else? But awkward as it would be he was their only option...

Knowing there was no other option, they took a tentative step forward.

"Excuse me?"

Almost jumping out of their skin they quickly spun around to see who had just spoken to them was none other than Crystal Blue. "Oh, hi!" Kurin greeted, "I didn't see you there." They added like an idiot instead of someone who'd once figured out the plot twist in a forty eight chapter long book a minute into starting chapter five.

Crystal didn't react to Kurin's awkwardness, instead slowly extending a hand. "I was wondering if you would like to team up for the project?" She requested politely.

The non-binary blinked in surprise but didn't think twice before accepting, "Of course. That sounds great." They smiled back at the girl, grateful for her offer. Crystal was pretty quiet so they really weren't sure who they'd expected her to team up with, maybe Monica? But she was extremely good at music and quite a nice person so Kurin was happy with this arrangement.

Neither of them made an effort to continue the conversation, so the pair just stood together waiting for Miss Bliss to give the next instructions.

Out of curiosity Kurin glanced over to see if Chet had found himself a partner just in time to see him give in to Dan pleading him to team up. Apparently Magnus and Ajit had been the two from the throuple who got to team up for the project.

A few more minutes passed before finally Miss Bliss reopened her eyes and addressed the class once more. "It seems everyone has chosen their partners." She hummed, looking around the class and smiling in satisfaction at all their choices. "Wonderful! Now all of you can find a seat at a keyboard with your partner and start discussing what song you might want to cover. I want you all to have freedom with this project so unless you ask for help I'll let you get on by yourselves, I trust you all to actually get on with the work." She gave the class another smile before turning to the pile of paperwork on her desk.

Everyone moved hastily to grab seats at a keyboard, some trying to get one near their friends, others just attempting to get ones in a good place around the room. Kurin was quick to claim their favourite keyboard, the third one from the front on the left, Crystal taking a seat beside them at the same piano. It was only a matter of seconds before they'd both put on a pair of the headphones plugged into the keyboard and had begun to quietly test out tunes beginning to take it in turns to play a short part of a song before pausing and looking to see the others reaction.

Always being ones for conversation, this was obviously done in silence.

With Kurin's previous suggestion having been met with a firm but soft shake of her head Crystal began to play a part of a different song, catching on to what it was Kurin began to hum along. Once they finished they looked at each other.

"Oh we are definitely doing that." Kurin grinned.

Crystal smiled back, "I am glad we are in agreement."