The house was unusually loud for a weekday morning. David stood by the washing machine, rhythmically tossing wet clothes into a basket. A towel hung around his neck and a lollipop wedged between his lips. Across the living room, Raymond lay flat on the floor, his legs stretched out, one arm thrown over his head while his other hand scrolled endlessly on his phone.
"Listen to this," Raymond said suddenly, voice echoing off the ceiling. "Apparently, if you put toothpaste on a burn-"
A boxer flew across the room and smacked him square in the face.
"Shut up," David said calmly, not even looking at him.
Raymond peeled the boxer off his eyes, face twisting in disgust as he saw what was just thrown in his face. "This is dirty, you're so annoying."
"And you're an irritating, unemployed idiot." David shot back.
"I'm rich dude."
From the kitchen came the aggressive clatter of a spoon hitting a pot. "This apron is an insult," Kendrick's voice rang out. "Pink. Bernard. Pink for christ sake."
Bernard sat slouched on the arm of the couch, flipping through channels with zero interest. "You said buy any apron. So I bought an apron."
"You bought this," Kendrick snapped, storming halfway into the living room, gesturing at the pink monstrosity tied around his waist. "I look like I'm about to host a baking show."
Raymond squinted up at him. "You kind of do."
David snorted.
Bernard didn't even look apologetic. "Get another one then, Or cook naked. Either way, don't bother me."
Kendrick muttered something violent under his breath and returned to the kitchen.
Bernard sighed dramatically and tossed the remote aside. "This is boring. We've been stuck in this house since morning."
Raymond rolled onto his side. "Because it's a weekday. Normal people are at work or school."
Bernard perked up. "Exactly. Which means everywhere is quiet. We could go out."
"Go where?" David asked.
"Anywhere," Bernard said, spreading his arms. "The court, the arcade, that café down the street."
"No." Raymond said immediately.
Bernard frowned, poking his shoulder with his toes. "I didn't even finish."
"No," Raymond repeated. "Last time we went out, Kendrick almost fought someone over a parking spot."
" Don't make me look on reasonable Ray, that guy deserved it," Kendrick shouted from the kitchen.
"We could go hang out at-"
"No," Raymond cut Bernard off again.
David chuckled. "Why are you suddenly the voice of reason?"
"Because peace is fragile," Raymond said solemnly. "And I like it."
The doorbell rang, and they exchanged uncertain glances.
Raymond sat up. "Did anyone order anything?" No one admitted to it. "I'll check," he said, already pushing himself up. He took two steps towards the door and got hit in the chest with another boxer.
"Why do you keep throwing clothes at me?" he complained.
"Because you look like you need clothes in your face." David said.*
Raymond threw the cloth back at him and walked off to the entrance.
He blinked, then blinked again."Daphne?" he said slowly, like he wasn't sure of what he was looking at.
Bernard was on his feet immediately. "What?" He rushed over. "Who?"
Daphne stood outside, a black tote bag slung over her shoulder. She was in a casual dress, wearing a politely unreadable expression.
"Why are you here?" Bernard asked. "Aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"Well," she said sweetly, stepping forward, "good morning. May I come in?"
She didn't wait for an answer before she slipped past them, moving through the house like she'd been there a hundred times already.
Raymond stared after her. "Did she just-" Bernard left him at the door and went after her.
Kendrick walked out of the kitchen in the pink apron. Daphne stopped mid-step, her lips twitched. She looked away quickly, pressing her lips together, but a small undeniable stubborn smile still broke free.
"Daphne," David called, amused.
She turned to him, brows lifting, smile widening just a little. "Hi," she whispered, like it was a secret meant only for him.
"Why aren't you at school?" Kendrick asked, closing in, arms folding across his chest. His tone wasn't angry, but it was tight.
"I've been suspended for the rest of the week," she said brightly. "Ta-da."
Absolute silence reigned for a few seconds.
Raymond's mouth fell open. "What?"
Bernard blinked. "Sus…pended?"
David pulled the lollipop from his mouth, lines appearing on his forehead. "Why would you be suspended?"
Daphne dropped onto the sofa, crossing her legs comfortably. The boys didn't sit. They formed a loose semicircle around her like an interrogation squad.
Kendrick loomed closest, jaw clenching. David leaned against the wall, towel slipping from his shoulder. Bernard paced once, looking restless. Raymond crouched in front of her, curiosity practically vibrating.
"Tessa flipped out," Daphne said casually. "She came to my class with flour and almost made a pie out of the blonde."
Bernard frowned. "Who's Tessa?"
"Her friend," Kendrick said without looking away from Daphne.
"Best friend," Daphne corrected. "And it wasn't exactly that bad. I used Bernard's advice."
Bernard eyes went wide. "Which advice?"
David smirked. "You didn't cut off anyone's head, did you?"
Daphne giggled. "No." She waved her hand, the boys visibly relaxing "Just almost pushed someone out of the window."
"…Wow," David said.
"What?" Bernard snapped.
Daphne reached into her tote bag and pulled out a clump of hair.
Raymond leaned closer. "Is that-?"
"The blonde's hair," Daphne said. "Tessa pulled it out. These," she jiggled the rest, "belong to her lackeys."
Raymond carefully picked up a strand. "That's… definitely blonde."
"And that's why you were suspended?" Kendrick asked, very sure that wasn't the whole story.
"Tessa broke the window," Daphne shrugged. "And maybe Sharon's nose. There wasn't proof for our accusations, and the girls kept denying, so…" She lifted her hands. "Here I am."
Kendrick took the hair from her, placed it into Raymond's palm.
Raymond stared at him. "Why is this my responsibility now?"
Daphne tilted her head, eyes flicking to Kendrick's apron. "By the way," she said lightly, "pink doesn't look so bad on you."
Kendrick scowled. "Shut up."
She laughed soflyy. "I brought my books," she added. "You're going to tutor me."
Kendrick rolled his eyes.
She laughed harder. "Did you see that?" she asked the others. "Did you see his face?" She asked, rolling her eyes dramatically as she tried to imitate Kendrick.
David chuckled, Bernard grinned and Raymond snorted.
"I didn't look like that," Kendrick muttered.
"You did."
David sniffed the air suddenly. "What's that smell?"
Bernard's passed Kendrick and accusative glance, and realization hit him fast.
"…Fuck." He turned and sprinted for the kitchen.