Trying to block out all the commotion that was coming from the table that he just left; Zhongli slowly made his way to Xiao and Venti's table. "Oi! Zhongli why are you sitting inside? It's not even raining-" A girl said. She had long brown pigtails that were slightly red at the end and hung knee-length. She wore a hat that had many flowers and a big gold plate on the front. This girl was Zhongli's sister. "Oh, Hu Tao- You snuck up on me," Zhongli said with a sigh. "Answer my question you big dummy" She lead on. "Hu Tao, you actually think I have people to sit with outside-? It's so drama-ridden and I prefer to sit with people I actually know." Hu Tao gave him a disapproving look and rolled her eyes.

Hu Tao and Zhongli made their way over to Venti and Xiao's table and took a seat. Xiao's head was on the table while Venti sat next to him clearly bugging him. "Oh? Zhongli came and sat with us today for once!" Venti gave Hu Tao and Zhongli and a big smile and poked Xiao. "That's surprisin-" "SHUSH" Venti returned to his happy state and started to ramble.

Zhongli took his wooden bento out of his backpack and placed it on the table. Slowly opening it, rice, ham, and bamboo shoots were revealed. It was one of his favorite meals but for some odd reason, he didn't touch it.

He rested his head on his hand and stared through the big windows at the outside tables. There was a lot of noise since it was a cafeteria but Zhongli just got caught up in his own thoughts. Slowly, the clouds that were once white outside turned a dark grey and small droplets fell from the sky. Catching attention from the ones outside, people quickly packed up their things and made their way inside of the cafeteria which the once loud cafeteria was even louder.

One thing that definitely caught Zhongli's eye was certain ginger that was outside scrambling to pack all of his things up. He could tell Signora was laughing at him but being nice to wait for him outside in the pouring rain. He couldn't help but give a little smile to the boy outside.

"Zhongliiii??? Wake up you loser" Hu tao's voice rang throughout Zhongli's head. "I wasn't sleeping." "Oh yah? Well, you were staring out the window and smiled there's obviously something going on." She said putting her chopsticks down and crossing her arms. Xiao looked up and gave Hu Tao a glare. "Okay- never mind." She picked up her chopsticks and ate hanging her head low. 

The rain poured down harder and the outside tables and patio were almost completely soaked. Childe and Signora made their way inside the cafeteria not too long after, thankfully their things weren't that damaged.

Childe and Signora looked around for a table in the cafeteria but since they were one of the last people all of the tables were crammed full of people except Zhongli's table which was half full.

"Do you really want to do over there?" Signora whispered into Childe's ear staring at venti who was making 50% of the cafeteria noise. "It'll be fine for one day," Childe said walking for the table.

Hu Tao looked up from her food and stared the ginger in the eye and then back at Zhongli. "You know this kid?" She said pointing at Childe. "Hey! I'm not- "Yes, I met him today." Zhongli smiled and pat the empty seat beside him. Childe took a seat and Signora left to go find Scaramouche.

Zhongli and Childe picked up a small chit-chat while Childe pulled out his bento lunch. Hu Tao, Xiao, and Venti all looked at each other and all had a surprised look on their face. It was the first time that someone has ever sat with them so fast and flat out was fine with it. Also, they had never seen Zhongli so- content? "Who is that kid anyway?" Xiao whispered to the two. "He's part of the so-called 'Fatui' with Signora and Scaramouche Venti explained. Xiao furrowed his eyebrows and gave Childe a mean look. "I don't want this ginger around Zhongli. It's going to ruin his reputation while running for student president." Hu Tao gave a long sigh and rested her head on her hand. "What do we do then?" "We keep him away from Zhongli"

——

"You really do know a lot about history, It's quite fascinating actually." Childe smiled taking another bite of his fish from his bento. "Ah, well I try to do what interests me." The brunette smiled admiring the ginger. Childe fell silent and looked at Xiao. His deep blue eyes pierced Xiao's gaze almost like it was a threat. "Childe, are you okay?" Zhongli's golden eyes met the blue noctilucous ones. "Ah yes, I'm fine you shouldn't worry."

——

Before they knew it, Xiao and Childe were the only ones in the cafeteria. The only thing that could be heard was the hard rain outside. "Why fatui. Tell me." Xiao furrowed his eyebrows and his voice was getting angrier with every word. "Tell you what?" Childe smirked putting one of his hands on his hip and one in his hair. "Tell me what you're trying to do with Zhongli! Ruining his chance at being student president." Childe laughed to himself and slung his bag around his shoulder. "Don't be so cold Alatus. I don't mean any harm." He turned and walked out of the cafeteria with a small smile on his face.

Xiao squinted his eyebrows and let out a deep sigh. "Whatever makes you happy Morax."

(952 words)

this one was a little bit shorter because I need to speed things up before it becomes a 10 shot literally tf I know my writing is long but they shouldn't be thAt long

also, make sure to read my announcements bc i edit alot of stuff

Stay tuned!