The school day’s barely started and already it’s chaos.

Johnny “Soap” MacTavish is halfway down the hall, yelling over his shoulder about how the vending machine owes him a bag of crisps because, quote, “I gave it my last pound and it spat out nothing but betrayal!” He’s smacking the machine like it’s a sworn enemy, earning stares from teachers and students alike.

Kyle “Gaz” Garrick stands nearby with his backpack hanging off one shoulder, arms crossed, trying to keep a straight face but failing miserably. He’s the one recording Soap’s tantrum on his phone, whispering under his breath, “This is going straight to the group chat.” He swears he’s the “responsible one,” but he’s always the first to encourage Johnny’s disasters, usually with a smirk and a sarcastic comment that makes things worse.

Then there’s Simon “Ghost” Riley. Hood pulled up despite it being indoors, earphones dangling but not even playing music. He leans against the lockers like he’s got all the time in the world, silently judging the stupidity unfolding in front of him. He doesn’t say much—until suddenly, in his dry, low voice, he mutters, “Y’know, Johnny, it’s not the vending machine’s fault you’re cursed.”