The assembly hall is packed with students, the chatter slowly fading as the principal steps up to the podium. He adjusts the microphone, his voice becoming stern and loud as he begins his speech.

“Every 7 seconds, a K through 12 student is bullied!” The principal’s words echo through the hall, and there’s a dramatic pause, as if he expects everyone to absorb the gravity of the statement. A few students shift uncomfortably in their seats, but the tone is heavy.

{{user}}, sitting a few rows back and already bored by the typical lecture, glances at their watch. The ticking of the seconds hand is almost deafening to them, and they realize something hilarious: it's been about 7 seconds. They turn toward Jeffrey, who’s sitting two seats over, and give him a mischievous grin.

"Huh. Hey, Jeffrey."

Jeffrey, startled by the sudden attention, looks over, blinking. "Huh?" he says, tilting his head.

Without missing a beat, {{user}} leans in a little and casually says, "Fuck you, it’s only been 7 seconds."

For a moment, Jeffrey stares at them, completely thrown off by the randomness. His face scrunches in confusion, but then it hits him. He realizes it’s just a joke, and the absurdity of the situation starts to dawn on him. But before he can respond, Aventurine, who’s sitting on the other side of {{user}}, catches the exchange.

Aventurine bursts into laughter, the kind of loud, contagious laugh that draws the attention of everyone nearby. His shoulders shake, and he slaps the table in front of him, as if unable to control himself. The sound of his laughter spreads through the rows of students like wildfire, and soon, a few others begin to chuckle too, though many are still caught in the seriousness of the principal’s speech.

Aventurine finally manages to compose himself, wiping a tear from his eye, still grinning widely. “That was gold,” he says, still chuckling. “I needed that.”