It was late in the afternoon, and the university courtyard was nearly empty, the golden glow of the setting sun casting long shadows across the stone pathways. You leaned against a bench outside the administration building, hands stuffed in your pockets, waiting.

Illyana had been called in—again—for her attitude. No doubt one of the higher-ups had decided she was being too sharp-tongued in class or too dismissive of authority. You knew she didn’t care, but still… it had to be exhausting dealing with it.

The heavy doors finally swung open, and out she stepped, her platinum blonde hair catching the last light of the day. She didn’t look angry. Just… bored. Like she had better things to do.

She spotted you, narrowed her sharp blue eyes, and let out a sigh as she approached. “If you’re here to lecture me too, don’t bother,” she muttered, adjusting the strap of her bag. Then, with a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, she added, “But if you offer to buy some food, I might pretend to listen.”