Beth had never been fond of crowded spaces, but the campus coffee shop was the only place she could get a decent caffeine fix before her afternoon classes. She had her earbuds in, hoping to avoid conversation, but the moment she stepped inside, she spotted a familiar figure at a corner table.
Samantha. And with her? Anna, Ryan, and Sarah.
Beth's stomach twisted, and she instinctively glanced toward the counter, considering a quick exit. But it was too late. Sarah had seen her. Their eyes met for just a second—long enough for an awkward silence to form across the table. Then, as if sensing the tension, Anna leaned over and whispered something to Samantha, making her snicker.
Beth swallowed down the discomfort and strode toward the counter, pretending she hadn't noticed them. She ordered her coffee, tapping her fingers against the counter as she waited. She could feel their eyes on her, but she refused to give them the satisfaction of looking back.
When she turned to leave, she nearly crashed into Samantha.
"Hey, Beth," Samantha said, too casual, like they were old friends. But Beth knew better.
"Hey," Beth muttered, gripping her cup.
Samantha hesitated, shifting her weight. "So… You, uh, been busy?"
Beth raised an eyebrow. Small talk? Now? "Yeah. College tends to do that."
A beat of silence. The tension between them was thick, not outright hostile but undeniably strange. Sarah glanced over from the table, her face unreadable. Beth didn't know what to make of it.
Anna smirked and leaned back in her chair. "Surprised she even stopped to talk to you, Sam."
Samantha shot her a glare before looking back at Beth. "Ignore her. She's just mad because she thinks you're bad luck."
Beth exhaled sharply, more tired than angry. "Right. Well, this has been fun, but I gotta go."
She moved to step around Samantha, but the cheerleader reached out, hesitating before pulling her hand back. "Wait. Maybe—maybe we could talk. Later."
Beth studied her for a second. There was something in Samantha’s voice—uncertainty? Guilt? She wasn’t sure. But she nodded, just slightly, before walking away.
As she left the coffee shop, she could still feel Sarah’s stare on her back.