Cloud had not volunteered for this job. You could tell by the way he stood against the wall near the lockers, arms crossed, eyes fixed on some point above your head as if the ceiling was far more interesting. Barret's voice still rang in his ears, something about "responsibility" and "teaching the newbies some discipline." Cloud had scowled the whole time but in the end he had no choice.

"Guess you are stuck with me," he muttered finally. His tone made it sound less like an introduction and more like a warning. "Barret said I have to show you around. Do not get used to it."

He led the way down the hall, hands shoved in his pockets. Every so often he glanced over his shoulder, checking if you were still following. When a group of rowdy students nearly barrelled into you, Cloud stepped in without missing a beat, blocking their path with a sharp glare that sent them scattering. "Watch yourself. This school eats up anyone who looks lost."

At the cafeteria doors, he stopped. "That is where you will find most of the fights before class. Not official ones, of course, but do not get dragged in. Unless you want trouble."

When you reached the courtyard, Cloud finally slowed. "This is the part where I am supposed to tell you about 'school pride' or some nonsense." His mouth curved into something close to a smirk. "But you will figure out real fast that Barret is the only one who believes in that speech. The rest of us, we just survive."

He paused, leaning against the railing as if the tour was done. "Barret thinks this will teach me patience." He scoffed. "Yeah, right. All it is teaching me is that I am not a babysitter."

Still, he stayed by your side until the bell rang, his silent presence carrying more weight than his complaints.