The study session had stretched long enough for the library to feel less like a place and more like a pause in the day.
Michael sat angled toward Emily, his elbow resting near the edge of the table, her notebook open between them. He flipped a page carefully, like the paper mattered.
"You've got the idea right here," he said softly, tapping a line. "Just tighten this part. You explain too much when you already understand it."
Emily leaned closer, tracing the line with her eyes. "So… less words?"
"Exactly. Trust yourself more."
She rewrote the line slowly, thinking through every word. While she did, Michael stayed quiet, focused, the rest of the library fading into the background.
Emily noticed the crease between his brows, the way he bit the inside of his cheek when he concentrated.
She caught herself staring.
When she finished, she slid the notebook toward him. "Like this?"
Michael read it once, then again. A small smile appeared. "Much better. Way better, actually."
Her chest warmed at the praise, subtle but real. "Thanks."
Across the table, Sam had completely given up on studying. She leaned back, whisper-arguing with Cameron.
"I'm telling you," Sam said, rolling her eyes, "this exam is cursed. I can feel it in my bones."
Cameron scoffed. "You say that about every exam."
"Because every exam keeps proving me right."
Liliana watched, amused. "You could try focusing."
Sam waved her off. "Focusing never loved me back."
They laughed quietly, careful not to draw attention. Sam didn't notice the subtle tension building across the table between Michael and Emily—or at least she didn't acknowledge it.
Liliana noticed everything. She saw how Michael leaned in slightly when he spoke to Emily. How Emily listened like his words mattered more than anyone else's. It wasn't romantic. Not yet. But it wasn't nothing either. Liliana smiled to herself, then her gaze drifted past the shelves.
Fiona and Terra.
They were seated far enough to be unobtrusive but close enough to watch. Terra leaned in, whispering something that made Fiona's posture stiffen.
"See how close they are?" Terra said quietly, a smirk tugging at her lips. "He's literally explaining that part like you don't even exist."
Fiona's lips pressed together. "I see," she said softly, her voice low but sharp. She didn't take her eyes off Michael, though they flicked once at Emily. "He's… attentive. Too attentive."
The librarian's voice cut through the quiet. "Ten minutes, everyone. Please begin packing up."
Sam groaned dramatically. "Of course. Just when I was starting to understand everything."
Cameron chuckled. "You? Understanding? That's cute."
Fiona stood immediately at the same time, her movements deliberate, confident. She walked toward Michael, heels clicking against the floor.
Michael noticed her first. He closed Emily's notebook gently and slid it back toward her. "We should pack up," he said softly, "before she—"
He didn't finish.
Emily nodded, stuffing her books into her bag, feeling a tight knot in her chest. She glanced up just in time to see Fiona approaching.
Fiona leaned down slightly as she reached Michael's side. Her voice was soft, almost sweet, but dripping with meaning. "Michael… leaving already? Or were you hoping to stay here with… someone new?"
Michael tensed slightly. "Fi, I'm done here. Let's just go."
Terra, hovering just behind Fiona, whispered, "Look at her. The new girl. Do you think she even realizes how much he's paying attention to her?"
Fiona's eyes narrowed at Emily, calculating. "I notice everything," she said quietly, almost to herself. Then, louder, "You've been working hard, I see. But don't forget who he usually leaves with, alright?"
Michael's jaw tightened. He didn't answer her, just adjusted his bag and moved to the exit. Fiona's eyes followed every step.
Emily's hands tightened on her own bag, but she stayed where she was, heart pounding.
Sam finally noticed Fiona too, her expression darkening. "Ugh, that girl…" she muttered, shaking her head. "Every time. Every damn time."
Emily glanced at Michael. He walked ahead calmly, unaffected by Fiona's presence—or at least, outwardly.
Liliana nudged Emily lightly. "Don't worry about them," she whispered. "They're not worth it. Just focus on you, and on your friends."
Emily nodded, though she felt the tension settle deep in her chest. Fiona's gaze lingered even as Michael disappeared from her sight.
Sam fell in step with Liliana and Emily as they stepped out of the library. Her hands landed lightly on both their shoulders. "I swear… I am so pissed at Fiona for just swooping in and taking Michael away like that," she muttered, voice low but sharp. Her jaw tightened, and she shook her head, clearly still simmering.
Emily glanced at her, unsure how to respond. Liliana just raised an eyebrow, silently amused at Sam's obvious irritation.
Sam let out a quick, exasperated sigh and then forced herself to shrug it off. "Never mind. Forget that. Did you… uh, like the study session?"
Emily nodded softly. "Yeah… I did."
Liliana chuckled, nudging Emily lightly. "She was focused the entire time, by the way."
Sam grinned, letting a little of her sarcastic side slip through. "Good. Someone had to."
They walked in silence for a moment.
The air felt heavier, quieter, like the world around them had slowed. Sam finally spoke again, but this time her tone had softened—no sarcasm, no jokes.
"Emily… thank you. For joining us today. It's been a while since we had someone new come into this group. It… it means something."
Liliana smiled softly, shaking her head. "Can't believe this group is still… so stable."
Sam let out a quiet breath, almost a whisper. "Barely," she admitted. Then, her voice dropped further, almost to herself. "I've been trying to keep it together since… Ryan left. But it's different now. We've lost… most of what we had."
Emily tilted her head, curiosity slipping out before she could stop herself. "Ryan?"
Sam's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes darkening for a fraction of a second before she met Emily's gaze. "He was… our friend. Let's just say… he left us."
Emily stayed quiet, absorbing the weight behind Sam's words. She didn't press.
She understood, somehow, that some stories weren't ready to be told.
Sam exhaled slowly, letting a faint smile touch her lips. "You'd have loved it here if he were still with us. Same people… same energy… same unity. But now… it's just stories."
She looked at Emily, her tone soft but firm. "You… you really remind me of him. Not like you replaced him or anything—don't get me wrong—but… there are similarities. The way you just… fit. You've taken a spot that's been empty for too long, and you've filled it in the best way possible."
Emily's stomach warmed at the words.
She felt the gravity of Sam's approval, the sincerity in her eyes. For the first time in days, maybe weeks, she allowed herself to feel… like she belonged.
"Th-thank you," she finally whispered, voice soft. Not because she was shy, but because… it felt like the right weight of the moment. She wasn't sure if she deserved it, but she wanted Sam to know she appreciated it.
Sam gave a small nod, almost imperceptible, but her eyes softened. "You don't have to say anything. Just… keep being you."
Liliana stepped closer and squeezed Emily's shoulder gently. "Yeah," she said with a quiet smile. "We notice things. The effort you put in. How you pay attention. It matters."
Emily allowed herself a tiny, shy smile. It wasn't loud or dramatic, but it felt like a bridge forming between her and the group.
Cameron appeared near the library doors, jogging slightly to catch up after finishing a call with some friends. Liliana looked toward Emily and Sam, a soft smile on her face.
"Alright, I've got to head out," she said, adjusting the bag over her shoulder.
"Cameron's here."
Emily nodded politely. "Okay… see you tomorrow then."
Liliana waved briefly, then turned to Cameron. "Finally! You're late again," she said, grinning.
Cameron chuckled, his hands lightly rested around her waist. "Noted," he said. "See you tomorrow, guys." He waved at Emily and Sam as they watched.
---
Sam gave one last lazy wave toward Cameron and Liliana as they disappeared down the street, then turned fully to Emily like she'd just switched channels.
"Well," she said, hands dropping into her jacket pockets, "it's just us now."
Emily shifted her bag higher on her shoulder. "Okay…"
Sam tilted her head, studying her. "So. You got something important waiting for you at home, or are you free?"
"I'm… mostly free," Emily said after a second. "Why?"
Sam's grin softened into something mischievous but weirdly gentle. "Good. Then we're going somewhere."
Before Emily could ask where, Sam grabbed her arm and took off.
"Sam— wait—"
"I swear it's close," Sam said over her shoulder, already jogging. "Just trust me."
Emily stumbled at first, caught off guard, then forced herself to match Sam's pace. Her heart thudded, half from running, half from not knowing what she'd agreed to.
They slowed to a stop in front of a small café-like place, warm lights glowing through the windows. It looked harmless enough. Too harmless.
Sam turned to her, eyes bright. "Alright. Don't freak out."
That was never a good sign.
"I'm thinking," Sam continued casually, "of getting a beer."
Emily's eyes widened instantly. "A beer? Sam, I— I don't drink."
Sam waved it off. "Relax. Do I look like someone with her life together enough to be a drinker?"
"That doesn't help."
"It's my first time too," Sam added, like that solved everything.
Emily stared at her. "That helps even less."
Sam rolled her eyes, playful but persistent. "You're acting like I said we're robbing a bank."
"We're literally high schoolers," Emily hissed. "How would that even work?"
Sam shrugged. "We walk in confidently and lie."
"…About? "
"Our age."
Emily blinked. "We don't have IDs."
"Details," Sam said. "Just play along. Worst case, we get kicked out and drink something embarrassing instead."
Emily hesitated, nerves crawling up her spine. "I don't know…"
Sam's tone softened, not pushing this time. "Hey. We don't have to. I just thought… today was heavy. You survived your first Silvergrove day. That deserves something dumb."
Emily looked at the café door, then back at Sam. She let out a slow breath.
"…Fine," she said carefully. "And if it's awful—"
"We leave," Sam finished. "Immediately. No judgment."
Emily nodded. "Okay..."
Sam's grin returned, victorious but fond. "See? Easy."
She pushed the door open, the bell chiming softly as they stepped inside.
Emily's nerves didn't disappear.
But she followed anyway.
Sam stepped up to the counter like she belonged there, shoulders loose, confidence almost irritating in how natural it looked. She leaned one elbow against the worn wood, head tilted slightly, already acting bored.
"A beer," she said easily. Then, without looking back, added, "Two. One for me, one for her."
Emily stood beside her like a statue someone forgot to finish carving. Her fingers twisted together at her side, nails pressing into her palm. She kept her eyes down, heartbeat loud in her ears.
The man behind the counter was mid-forties maybe, eyes sharp in a way that said he'd seen this exact situation more times than he cared to count. He looked Sam over once, unimpressed, then his gaze slid to Emily and stopped there.
"IDs," he said, flat. His hand extended toward Emily.
Emily flinched like she'd been called out in class. "We don't have an—"
"We forgot them," Sam cut in smoothly, tone calm, almost amused. "Rough day."
The man didn't react. "Both of you forgot your IDs."
Sam shrugged lightly. "Happens."
He leaned forward just a little. "College?"
"Westbrook University," Sam replied instantly.
Emily's stomach dropped. She'd heard that name before. It sounded too real.
"Department?" the man asked.
"Arts and Humanities," Sam said, still steady.
Emily swallowed hard.
The man hummed, tapping the counter once with his finger. "Which year?"
"First," Sam answered.
Another pause. Longer this time.
"Then you'd know," he said slowly,
"whether the registrar's office is still in the old wing or if they finally moved it to the new block."
Sam blinked.
Just once.
Emily felt the silence stretch painfully between them.
"…New?" Sam guessed.
The man straightened, expression flattening completely. "No."
Sam opened her mouth to recover, but he was already shaking his head.
"You're in high school," he said bluntly. "And you're bad liars."
Emily's face burned. "..Sorry, we didn't mean to—"
"Out," he said, pointing toward the door. "Now."
Sam's confidence cracked, eyes widening just a little. "Okay, okay. We're going."
She grabbed Emily's wrist, firm but not rough, and pulled her toward the exit.
"We're really sorry," Emily said again as they passed, voice small, mortified.
The door shut behind them with a heavy thud.
Outside, the night air hit them both at once.
Emily stood frozen, staring at the pavement. "I told you," she said quietly. "I told you this was a bad idea."
For a second, Sam said nothing.
Then she laughed.
Not a giggle. A full laugh, bending forward slightly, one hand on her stomach like she couldn't help it.
"Oh my god," she breathed. "The registrar question killed me."
Emily looked at her in disbelief. "We almost got thrown out with security."
"But we didn't," Sam said, wiping at the corner of her eye. "That's a win."
Emily pressed a hand to her chest. "My heart is still racing."
Sam finally softened, nudging her shoulder gently. "Hey. You did good. You didn't faint. That's progress."
Emily let out a shaky breath. "…You're terrifying."
Sam grinned. "And yet, here you are. Come on. I owe you something that doesn't involve criminal charges."
They turned down the street together, footsteps syncing as the noise from the shop faded behind them, walking away toward another café glowing softly a few blocks down.