Hannah stood beside Victor, carefully holding the tissue she had used to clean the small cut on his face. She looked at him for a second, then smiled softly.
Hannah: "You know… you're very brave. But you should really learn how to protect your face better."
Victor blinked, clearly not expecting that comment.
Victor: "Uh… thank you? I think?"
She laughed quietly. "That wasn't a compliment. That was advice."
Victor scratched the back of his head, suddenly awkward. "Right. Advice accepted."
At that exact moment, everyone's attention slowly shifted toward them.
Lucien narrowed his eyes dramatically.
"Noah," he whispered loudly, "why does Victor look like he's in a rom-com scene?"
Noah crossed her arms and leaned closer. "More importantly, why does he look shy? I didn't know Victor had that setting."
Alice stared at Victor as if he were seeing a rare species.
"Is that… Victor smiling without being angry?"
Elara turned around, noticed Hannah talking to Victor, and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. So this is what distracted him."
Victor suddenly realized everyone was watching. He straightened up immediately.
Victor: "Why are all of you staring?"
Lucien grinned. "Because you look like you forgot how to speak properly."
Hannah looked around, confused. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No, no," Noah said quickly. "You just unlocked a new version of Victor."
Victor sighed. "Please don't encourage them."
Hannah smiled again. "They're funny. You should smile more."
That did it.
Victor's ears turned red.
Alice burst out laughing. "Okay, I've officially seen everything. Victor, blink twice if you need help."
Lucien clapped his hands. "Breaking news: Victor has emotions."
Victor groaned. "I hate all of you."
Elara smirked. "Liar. You're just embarrassed."
Hannah laughed softly, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd accidentally created.
"I didn't know one conversation could cause this much drama."
Lucien shrugged. "Welcome to our group."
Victor looked at Hannah, then at everyone else, and finally muttered,
"…I really need quieter friends."
Everyone laughed—especially Hannah.
And Victor, despite himself, smiled again
Hannah cleared her throat slightly, suddenly realizing that all eyes were still on her.
"Um… I guess I should introduce myself properly," she said, lifting her hand a little, as if she were in a classroom.
Lucien immediately nodded. "Yes, please. Formal introductions are important. Especially after you traumatized Victor emotionally."
Victor shot him a warning look. "I am perfectly fine."
Hannah smiled, amused. "I'm Hannah. I'm twenty-five years old, and I'm from Germany. I moved here for work about a year ago."
Noah's eyes widened. "Wait—Germany? That explains the confidence."
Lucien added, "And the calm energy. Victor, she's your opposite."
Victor muttered, "I didn't ask for analysis."
Hannah laughed. "I work as a freelance designer. Today was just supposed to be a quiet coffee break."
Alice folded his arms. "Clearly, that didn't go as planned."
Hannah glanced at Elara. "I'm really grateful to you. If you hadn't noticed what that guy was doing… I don't know what would've happened."
Elara shook her head gently. "You don't need to thank me. Anyone should have done the same."
Hannah smiled warmly. "Still. You were brave."
Lucien clapped once. "Alright, official moment over. So… are you joining our chaos permanently, or was this a one-time experience?"
Hannah raised an eyebrow. "Chaos?"
Noah pointed at the group. "This is our natural state."
Hannah laughed. "Then I should warn you—I'm not very good at staying away from interesting people."
Victor cleared his throat. "She means yes. She wants to be friends."
Everyone stared at him.
Alice smirked. "Look at Victor translating emotions now."
Victor frowned. "I was being efficient."
Hannah nodded seriously. "I appreciate efficiency."
Lucien burst out laughing. "Oh wow. They understand each other already."
Noah leaned closer to Elara and whispered, "This friendship just speed-ran."
Hannah looked around at all of them. "If you don't mind… I'd really like to be friends with you all."
There was a brief pause.
Then—
"YES," Lucien said instantly.
"Obviously," Noah added.
Alice shrugged. "You survived our first fight. That qualifies you."
Elara smiled softly. "We'd like that."
Victor nodded. "Welcome to the group."
Hannah smiled, clearly relieved. "Good. Because I think I'd be very bored without you."
Lucien grinned. "Careful. This group comes with noise, arguments, and emotional damage."
Hannah laughed. "Sounds perfect."
Victor sighed. "I regret nothing. But also… everything."
Everyone laughed again, the tension finally melting away.
And just like that—
a stranger became part of their story.
Hannah pulled out her phone and unlocked it, glancing at the group once more.
"Well," she said lightly, "before I disappear like a guest character, I should probably give you my number."
Lucien's eyes lit up. "Ah yes. Official initiation."
She handed her phone to Noah.
Noah immediately gasped. "Wait—guys. We're not giving her just any contact."
Victor narrowed his eyes. "What does that mean?"
Noah grinned mischievously. "We're adding her to the group."
Hannah blinked. "The group?"
Lucien leaned closer, lowering his voice dramatically. "You're about to witness things no human should see. Random arguments. Midnight debates. Unnecessary memes."
Alice added, "And zero productivity."
Elara said calmly, "And somehow… emotional support."
Hannah smiled. "That sounds… concerning. I'm in."
Noah quickly created the contact, then opened their group chat.
Group Name: "Emergency Brain Cells"
Hannah laughed. "That already explains everything."
Lucien immediately typed something.
Noah's phone buzzed.
Victor's phone buzzed.
Alice's phone buzzed.
Elara glanced at the screen. "Lucien… why did you send a sticker of a screaming cat?"
Lucien shrugged. "Tradition."
Hannah laughed softly. "I think I'm going to enjoy this."
She waved at them, stepping back.
"Thank you. For everything. And… I'll see you guys around."
Victor nodded. "Take care."
Alice added, "Text if you need anything."
Hannah smiled one last time, then turned and walked away.
The moment she disappeared from sight—
Lucien spun toward Victor.
"WHY were you so calm with her?"
Victor frowned. "I was injured. Not unconscious."
Noah smirked. "He didn't blink once."
Elara raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
They all climbed into the car.
The engine started.
Music began playing through the speakers—
"I Like Me Better With You."
The moment the song started—
Silence.
Slowly, everyone turned their heads.
All eyes landed on Alice.
Alice noticed. "What?"
Lucien grinned. "Oh nothing. Just the universe choosing violence."
Noah added, "Interesting song choice."
Victor crossed his arms. "Very… specific."
Elara looked out the window, pretending not to notice—but the corner of her lips twitched.
Alice scoffed. "It's just a song."
Lucien leaned forward. "Sure. Totally random."
Noah nodded seriously. "Absolutely unrelated."
Victor deadpanned, "Should we start clapping or is this a solo performance?"
Alice reached for the volume button. "I swear, if one of you says—"
Lucien sang one dramatic note.
Alice slammed the volume down.
"Everyone shut up."
The car burst into laughter.
Elara finally spoke, calm but teasing.
"Relax, Alice. It suits you."
He glanced at her for half a second.
"…Great," he muttered.
The car rolled forward, filled with noise, teasing, and laughter—
and for the first time that day, everything felt strangely light.