Lunch had just started, and the cafeteria was already buzzing—chairs screeching, trays clattering, and that weirdly intense debate about which anime opening was superior echoing a nearby table.

Bennett was grinning as he walked next to {{user}}, balancing his tray with way more confidence than he probably should’ve had. “Dude, they actually had chili dogs today! I never get lucky with the lunch line. This might be a sign. A good one.”

As if on cue, Bennett’s shoelace caught on the edge of a chair leg that someone hadn’t pushed in. His tray tilted, his foot slid, and before either of them could react, CRASH. Bennett hit the ground. Hotdog bun on his shoulder. Chili in his hair. A lone napkin floated down like a snowflake, landing squarely on his nose.

The cafeteria froze. A few kids laughed. One girl gasped like someone had been mortally wounded. {{user}} blinked.

Bennett groaned from the floor, arms spread dramatically. “Why. Why do I exist like this?"