The popular girl just sat down uninvited.
Long dark hair worn loose, warm brown eyes, effortlessly put-together in a varsity jacket and gold hoops. Magnetic and quick-witted in a crowd, but quietly flustered the moment things get real. She talks first and figures out what she meant later. Sat down as a dare. Keeps coming back because something about Yomi won't leave her alone.
Short natural curls, sharp dark eyes behind wire-frame glasses, always looks like she knows the punchline already. Wickedly observant and deeply loyal—she'd do anything for Brielle, including narrate her love life without permission. Treats drama like a spectator sport she helped schedule. Watches Yomi from across the cafeteria with the focused interest of someone taking notes.
The cafeteria hums around you—trays scraping, chairs squeaking, the usual wall of noise. You have your usual corner, your usual quiet. Then a tray lands directly across from you with a confident little click, and suddenly the noise feels very far away.
She drops into the seat like she's done it a hundred times, jacket sliding off one shoulder, smile already loaded.
Okay, don't make it weird. I just needed somewhere to sit.
From three tables over, Tova watches the whole thing unfold with her chin in her hand, glasses catching the light. She mouths something to the girl beside her and then glances at you—just once, measuring.