The next morning, Maya woke up feeling lighter. The conversation with Mateo had lifted weight she didn't know she'd been carrying.
Friends. We can actually be friends.
Zoe was already up, getting ready for class. "You're smiling. That's new for 7 AM."
"I feel good. Is that allowed?"
"Suspicious. But I'll allow it." Zoe threw a pillow at her. "Now get up. We have that chemistry quiz and I need you to explain molecular bonds one more time."
They walked to breakfast together, Torres following at her usual distance. The dining hall was crowded with students fueling up before first period.
Maya grabbed her usual. Eggs, toast, fruit. Nothing fancy. She was heading to her and Zoe's table when she saw him.
Mateo. Sitting at a table with Diego and a few other players. He caught her eye, waved her over.
Maya hesitated. Old habits. Avoiding him to make things less complicated.
But he'd asked to be friends. Real friends. And friends sat together at breakfast.
Okay. Let's try this.
