By noon, the Georgia Tech dining hall was a swirl of noise and movement-trays cttering, friends shouting across tables, and cafeteria workers calling out orders from the sandwich station. It had the frantic energy of a marketpce crossed with the chaos of a sitcom cafeteria. But at Table Seven, tucked near the corner window where sunlight pooled like a spotlight, things were different.

  Table Seven was a kingdom.

  It had unofficially become the group’s territory weeks ago, long before Mia had ever stepped foot on campus. Eight chairs had become a tradition-one always dragged from another table. Laughter was the price of admission. And once you were in, you were in.

  Mia had heard the stories, caught the whispers when she walked campus with Sarah and Marisol. But nothing prepared her for what it actually felt like to sit there.

  It wasn’t just the energy.

  It was the love.

  “There she is!” Tyrel called out as Mia approached, arms full of her tray.

  He stood up dramatically and gave a mock bow. “Ladies and gentlemen, the freshman syer of hearts. The newest Rivera to grace us with her beauty.”

  Mia rolled her eyes, grinning. “Senior in high school, thank you very much.”

  “Technicality,” Jorge chimed in, reaching to grab an extra chair. “Your aura is clearly collegiate.”

  LaTasha leaned across Cami and whispered to Nandita, “This table just keeps getting prettier.”

  Nandita blushed. “It’s honestly not fair.”

  Mia slid into the seat beside Marisol, her heart hammering in the best way. There was noise, teasing, overpping conversations-but all of it wrapped her up like a warm quilt. Like she’d belonged all along and just hadn’t realized it yet.

  She wasn’t used to being the new girl. Not since middle school. Usually, people adjusted to her. They came to her orbit. But here? She was orbiting them-and she liked it. No… she loved it. There was something humbling and exhirating about not being the center. About being invited in without needing to impress, seduce, or dominate.

  For the first time in a long time, Mia felt like she could just be someone. Not perform someone

  Ravi leaned forward, eyes bright. “So, Mia. High school royalty, right?”

  “Cheer captain,” Tyrel added, already winking at LaTasha, who smacked his arm pyfully.

  Mia sipped her soda. “Something like that.”

  Cami smiled warmly. “Let me guess. You ruled the cafeteria. Chose who got to sit where. Gave the pep talks. Ruined every boy’s GPA.”

  Mia ughed. “And made the announcements over the PA system.”

  “Of course you did,” Cami said. “Respect.”

  “You remind me of me,” she added, and Mia felt a burst of affection. There was a gleam in Cami’s eyes-sharp, mischievous - but beneath it was a quiet fire. Strong girl energy.

  Jorge faked a tear. “God, we used to dream of girls like you all when we were in high school. Instead, I got rejected by a band geek who liked frogs.”

  “She was cute, though,” Ravi said. “The frog girl. In the photo you showed us.”

  Marisol grinned, elbowing Mia. “This is your new family now.”

  Mia gnced around-and realized it was true.

  Tyrel leaned back in his chair, bancing it precariously. “You’re lucky, girl. If Nandita and LaTasha hadn’t just stolen our hearts, you’d have all of us down on one knee.”

  LaTasha choked on her lemonade.

  Nandita turned redder than a tomato.

  “I-I didn’t steal anything,” she muttered.

  “You stole my heart,” Ravi said dramatically, clutching his chest.

  LaTasha pointed a fry at Ravi. “Keep talking like that and she’s going to start blushing whenever she sees you. Then what?”

  Mia couldn’t stop smiling. The rhythm of this group was fast and yered-like a symphony of sarcasm and affection. There were no weak links. Everyone had a role, a presence. The couples were different, but the chemistry was the same-genuine, teasing, safe.

  And they’d let her in.

  Without hesitation.

  “So,” Jorge said, nodding toward another table across the hall, “you’re causing a minor crisis.”

  Mia blinked. “What?”

  He tilted his chin. “Don’t look now, but I think four dudes have forgotten how to chew because you sat down at this table.”

  Ravi leaned closer. “Seriously. I think that one guy just elbowed his friend for staring.”

  Tyrel added, “There’s a whole betting pool on who you are.”

  Mia arched a brow. “Really?”

  “Yep,” Cami said, brushing hair from her face. “Some say you’re Bharath’s cousin. Some think you’re his new girlfriend. One guy swears you're here to scout for modeling contracts.”

  Mia ughed, then feigned seriousness. “What if I’m all three?”

  Cami nearly spit out her drink. “No primita energy from you, girl.”

  Sarah giggled, her hand resting subtly on Mia’s thigh under the table. “No one energy either.”

  Mia flushed, but the smile wouldn’t leave her face.

  She didn’t miss the way the other girls looked at her when she joined in the banter.

  They weren’t just being polite.

  They liked her.

  And they were letting her belong.

  Even the guys, in their chaotic, borderline - dumb ways, were openly sweet. Jorge offered her half his cookie without asking. Ravi got her extra ketchup packets without asking when she said she liked ketchup. Tyrel gave her his fries because, “You’re a growing girl.”

  LaTasha and Nandita leaned in often, giggling with her, whispering little details about the group like siblings handing down family secrets.

  Cami pulled her aside to compliment her outfit. “Don’t be shocked if someone copies your look tomorrow. You're already trendsetting.”

  Mia blinked. “I’ve been here for two hours.”

  Cami grinned. “Exactly.”

  And somewhere in the back of her mind, it all clicked.

  This was why her sister never came home anymore.

  This wasn’t just college life. It was a new life.

  With people who saw you.

  Held you.

  Challenged you.

  Chose you.

  Mia gnced at Marisol-her sister, her anchor. Then at Sarah-her role model, her guide.

  And she felt it in her chest like a fme catching light.

  She was going to join them.

  Not just the friend group.

  All of it.

  And nothing would stop her.

  Jorge stood, raising his cup like a toast. “To Mia Rivera!”

  “To Mia!” they all chorused.

  Sarah kissed Mia’s cheek. Marisol took her hand under the table.

  Mia blinked, overwhelmed.

  “I’m not even in college yet,” she protested.

  Ravi grinned. “Which is terrifying. Because when you are, the entire male popution is going to riot.”

  “Bharath better keep his eyes on her,” Tyrel added. “That campus fan club is going to explode.”

  Mia just smiled and sipped her soda, locking eyes with her sister and Sarah.

  They shared a look.

  A knowing look.

  And Mia whispered in her mind, like a vow:

  Soon.