DONALD'S POV
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"Ninety-five, ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight—"
"You've been combing your hair for ten minutes. You're worse than a girl."
How dare this average-looking Captain America comment on my hair?
Ididn't even bother looking at George as I tied my hair into a ponytail. After checking my reflection one final time, I nodded in satisfaction.
Uniform day.
Ugh. Composure my foot.
"Let's go, baby."
"Shut up."
I grinned as George walked ahead of me.
By the time we got downstairs, everyone was already having breakfast in their uniforms.
I settled beside Ivy immediately.
Always so pretty but never smiling.
Granny.
"Hey, gorgeous."
She ignored me and shoved a fresh bun into my mouth.
I don't know when this became a habit.
But I'm definitely not complaining.
For once, breakfast was peaceful.
No Zoe glaring at Ivy.
No Nathan reviewing mission reports.
No Ivy and Albert acting like old professors.
No Lily chattering endlessly.
No George trying to maintain peace.
And no Fiona nagging.
Oh, the joy.
I think I smiled the entire morning.
Everything was perfect.
Perfect and peaceful.
I could kiss the ground from happiness.
"Ivy!"
And there goes my peace of mind.
We were walking toward class when a crying Nora ran straight into Ivy's arms.
Ivy stiffened for a second before awkwardly rubbing her back.
Why is she always stiff?
Would she react the same way if I kissed her again?
Last time didn't work, but maybe now—
Wait. No.
She might poison me for it.
"They said I've been demoted because I'm not competent enough!"
...That's it?
I raised an eyebrow while watching her wipe away her smeared makeup.
Too dramatic.
"Don't worry. You just need more training. Before you know it, you'll be at my level."
Zoe snorted loudly at Ivy's words.
"Even Lily ranks higher than her. Stop feeding her delusions."
She scoffed and walked ahead.
Nora's tiny spark of hope immediately crumbled, and she started crying again.
Louder this time.
People were already staring.
I sighed and lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Just train harder, kid. You're in Sarah's group, right? That's already an achievement."
"No, it was just the only team with a free spot."
"True—ouch!"
I immediately shut up after Fiona stomped on my foot.
My beautiful foot.
How dare this woman?
"Don't worry. I can help train you if you'd like."
Nora's eyes lit up instantly at George's offer.
"Really?"
No, he's playing games. He already said it, didn't he?
Ah, but she's just a classical girl.
Unlike her sister.
I glanced toward Ivy, who was calmly wiping Nora's face with a tissue.
*Cute.*
Wait, what?
I frowned and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"I'll head ahead first. Sorry again, Nora. Don't be sad."
I ruffled Nora's hair before walking off with my hands shoved into my pockets, heading outside for the weekly assembly.