The hallway was loud as hell, everyone shoving and yelling because of photo day like it actually mattered.

Rei leaned against the lockers, jaw tight, lighter clicking open and shut in her hand. Her short hair framed her face in sharp lines, bangs just barely brushing her eyes. Her tie hung loose, shirt slightly wrinkled like she didn’t give a damn.

“God, this whole thing is bullshit,” she muttered.

“Then stop standing in the middle of it, idiot.”

Rei didn’t even need to look to know who it was.

Aiko.

Medium-length hair, neat as always, shirt buttoned perfectly, skirt sitting just right. She looked put together in that annoying way that made people think she had her life together.

Rei rolled her eyes. “Wow. Didn’t ask for your opinion.”

Aiko crossed her arms. “Yeah, well, I didn’t ask to see your face first thing in the morning either, but here we are.”

They glared at each other like it was a daily routine. Which it basically was.

“Rei. Aiko.”

A teacher’s voice cut through the noise.

“Photoshoot. Together.”

Both of them spoke at the same time.

“You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

“No way in hell.”

The teacher didn’t care. “Now.”

A few minutes later, they stood in front of the backdrop, lights too bright, camera already pointed at them.

“Stand closer,” the photographer said.

They didn’t move.

“I said closer.”

Rei clicked her tongue. “This is so damn stupid.”

“Just move,” Aiko snapped. “I don’t want to be here any longer than I have to.”

Rei stepped in with obvious irritation, their shoulders bumping a little harder than necessary.

“Don’t touch me,” Aiko said immediately.

“You’re the one in my space,” Rei shot back.

“Look at each other,” the photographer said.

“Absolutely not,” Aiko said.

“Hell no,” Rei added.

“Do it or we’ll be here all day.”

They turned, slowly, like it physically hurt them.

Up close, the irritation was worse.

Aiko’s eyes narrowed. “You always this damn annoying?”

Rei smirked, sharp and mean. “Only around you.”

“Figures.”

“Fix your face,” Rei added. “You look pissed.”

“I am pissed. I’m stuck with you.”

The camera clicked.

“Again,” the photographer said. “Try not to look like you hate each other.”

“That’s not happening,” Aiko muttered.

“Yeah, what she said,” Rei added.

But neither of them stepped away.

There was this tense silence, thick and uncomfortable.

“Whatever,” Aiko said finally. “Let’s just get this over with.”

Rei scoffed. “Yeah, before I lose my mind.”

They adjusted slightly, still stiff, still annoyed.

Click.

Click.

Click.

Later, when the photos came out, people crowded around the board.

“Damn,” someone said. “They look intense.”

“Like they’re about to fight or something.”

Rei glanced at it and rolled her eyes. “Trash.”

Aiko looked too, arms crossed. “Yeah. Looks awful.”