Leo doubled over, slapping the table with his hand. "What? She just said that out of nowhere?"
Levi shrugged, cheeks flushing. "I'm serious! I didn't even know how to respond."
Armand leaned back, chuckling. "That's some bold energy right there. You sure she wasn't joking?"
"No joke," Levi argued, lifting his food with a grin. "Dead serious. Straight up said, 'Be my boyfriend.' Like, I'm supposed to just agree or something?"
Alaric shook his head, amusement in his eyes. "Bro, I'd probably run."
Armand grinned, reaching for his drink. "Welcome to high school chaos," he said lightly.
And they all bursted into laughter again.
Then Leo's laughter faded a little as he glanced around the cafeteria. "Have you guys seen Athena?" he asked suddenly. "She was in school earlier… but she's not here."
The table went quiet for half a second.
Alaric frowned, scanning the room instinctively. "No. I haven't seen her since this morning."
