Lily talked about her cat, a fluffy gray thing named Misty who had just had kittens. Four of them. Two gray, one black, one white. Their eyes weren’t even open yet.

"They’re so small," Lily said, her hands cupping the air to show their size. "I can fit one in my palm."

"I would love to see them," Bella said, her eyes sparkling.

"Really?" 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Really."

Lily beamed. "Maybe this weekend? I can send you my address."

"I’d love that."

They talked about animals, Bella’s chipmunks in the garden, the brave one with the scar on his ear who ate from her hand. Lily listened with wide eyes, asking questions, laughing at Bella’s stories.

They talked about books. Lily was a huge reader, fantasy mostly, anything with magic and adventure. Her favorite series was about a young wizard who discovered he had powers and had to save the world.

"I’ve read it three times," she said.

"I’ve watched the movies," Bella admitted.

"That’s okay. I can lend you the books."

"I’d like that."

When the bell rang, Lily looked almost disappointed.

"This was nice," she said, gathering her things. "We should do this again."

"I’d like that," Bella said, smiling at her.

Lily smiled back at her.

After class, Bella walked back into the room and found Karl already sitting in their usual spot. His elbows were on the desk, his head in his hands, his shoulders tense. He looked up when she sat down beside him.

"I’m sorry," he said, his voice quiet. "I just... I was just feeling angry, you know? Mira is like a sister to me. And she doesn’t see how scheming Krystal is."

Bella smiled softly. "It’s okay. I understand."

Karl looked at her, his dark eyes searching her face. Then he smiled, a small grateful smile that softened his sharp features.

"Would you like to see a football match after class?" he asked. "I’m participating in it."

"Sure," Bella said. "But I’ll stay for only ten minutes."

Karl’s smile widened. His mood lifted, the tension in his shoulders easing. He reached into his bag and pulled out a chocolate bar, holding it out to her.

"Here," he said. "For coming."

Bella laughed and took it. "Thanks."

Across the room, Krystal and Mira sat together. Krystal had claimed the seat Lily usually occupied, sliding into it like it had always been hers. Her friends flanked her on the other side, and they laughed so loudly the whole classroom heard. Some people who preferred quietness quickly became annoyed.

Lily stood near the door, her books clutched to her chest, her eyes fixed on her seat. Krystal was sitting there, laughing at something one of her friends said, her arm draped over the back of Mira’s chair.

Mira looked uncomfortable. Her glasses were slipping down her nose, and her smile was stiff.

Lily’s shoulders slumped.

She looked around the room. Every seat was taken. Every desk had someone at it, someone with friends.

Except for the seat next to Bella and Karl.

Lily took a breath and walked over.

"Can I sit with you?" she asked, her voice shy. She looked at Bella, then at Karl. "My seat was taken."

Her eyes were wide, her lower lip caught between her teeth. Her short black hair fell across her forehead, and her blue eyes were uncertain, hopeful.

Bella’s face lit up. "Of course!"

She gestured to the empty seat beside her. Lily sat down quickly, as if afraid Bella might change her mind. She set her books on the desk and pulled out her notebook.

Karl glanced at her, then at Bella. He didn’t say anything, just nodded slightly, his way of saying it was fine.

Lily relaxed. Just a little.

The professor walked in, and the class began.

But during the lecture, Lily’s gaze drifted to Bella every few minutes. She was still amazed that someone like Bella, popular, beautiful and confident, had chosen to sit with her. Had chosen to be her friend.

She smiled to herself and focused on her notes.

Across the room, Krystal watched.

Her eyes narrowed. She had taken Lily’s seat without a second thought, because she could, because she always got what she wanted. But seeing Lily sitting with Bella, laughing with Bella, made something twist in her chest.

She didn’t like it.

Krystal’s expression turned cold. Her eyes followed Lily as she settled into her seat beside Bella, laughing at something Karl said. Krystal wanted Lily to beg. She wanted to see her cry. She wanted to see her alone, invisible, the way she had been before.

But Lily wasn’t alone anymore.

Krystal’s jaw tightened. Her gaze shifted to Bella, sharp and cold. She didn’t like her either. The new girl who had stolen everyone’s attention.

She looked away.

After the lecture ended, Bella gathered her books and followed Karl outside. The football field was behind the science building, a wide stretch of grass surrounded by a track. Students were already gathering, some to play, some to watch, some just to kill time before their next class.

Bella found a spot on the bleachers near the front, where she could see everything. Karl was already on the field, stretching with his teammates, his dark hair falling across his forehead.

The game began.

Bella wasn’t a sports expert. She didn’t know the rules, didn’t understand the strategies but she knew when to cheer and she cheered loudly.

"Go, Karl!" she shouted, cupping her hands around her mouth.

People looked at her. A few girls nearby giggled. A guy in the row behind her raised an eyebrow.

Bella didn’t care.

Karl scored a goal. She screamed. She clapped. She jumped to her feet.

"THAT’S MY FRIEND!"

Karl glanced toward the bleachers, saw her, and grinned.

She had already texted her driver, a quick message saying she would be ten minutes late, that she was watching a football match, that she would be at the car soon.

But ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Then twenty.

She was having too much fun.

Meanwhile, Leo sat in the back of the car, his phone in his hand, his expression unreadable. The afternoon light slanted through the tinted windows, casting shadows across his sharp features.

"Sir," the driver said, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. "I received a message from ma’am. She said she would be ten minutes late. She’s watching a football match."