Finding a way back to her!

The cafeteria was bustling as usual, the symphony of clinking trays and chattering students filling the air. Freen Sarocha sat at her usual corner table, her jasmine tea and neatly arranged lunch tray in front of her. She had planned for her usual quiet break from the chaos, a moment to refocus and recharge before tackling the rest of the school day. But Becky Armstrong had other plans.

"Hey, Freen!" Becky's voice rang out as she plopped her tray down on the table, startling Freen slightly. Without waiting for an invitation, Becky slid into the seat across from her and flashed a wide grin. "I've got a surprise for you."

Freen blinked, her brows knitting together. "A surprise?"

Before Becky could answer, four more people swarmed the table, trays in hand, as if they'd been teleported there by Becky's sheer force of energy.

"Freen," Becky announced dramatically, gesturing to the group like a game show host revealing a prize. "Meet my friends-Jane, Emily, Irin, Nop, and Nam. Congratulations, you've just been inducted into the greatest lunch crew this cafeteria has ever seen."

Freen stared at the group, her expression carefully blank as her brain processed the sudden influx of new people.

"Hi, Freen!" Jane said cheerfully, her wavy hair bouncing as she waved. "I've heard so much about you."

"Same here," Emily chimed in, her smile warm and genuine. "Becky won't stop talking about her 'math genius buddy.'"

Freen's brow furrowed slightly, her gaze darting to Becky. "You talk about me?"

"Duh," Becky said, shamelessly shoving a fry into her mouth. "You're my favorite math nerd. Why wouldn't I?"

"Favorite math nerd," Freen repeated, her tone flat. "A dubious honor."

"That's Freen for you," Nam said, laughing as she took a seat. "She always sounds like she's drafting an academic paper."

Irin, who had been quietly observing the conversation, leaned forward with a curious look. "So, Freen, what's it like tutoring Becky? I bet it's a full-time job."

"You have no idea," Freen said dryly, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Her attention span rivals that of a goldfish."

"Excuse me!" Becky interjected, pretending to be offended. "I'll have you know goldfish are very intelligent."

Nop snorted, clearly enjoying the banter. "How do you put up with her, Freen?"

"Patience," Freen replied without hesitation. "And tea."

Becky laughed, pointing a fry at Freen. "See? This is why I bring her jasmine tea every day. It keeps her from strangling me."

Jane tilted her head, intrigued. "Wait, so you actually like jasmine tea? I didn't think you were the 'likes anything' type, Freen."

Freen took a sip of her tea, her gaze steady. "I appreciate its subtlety. Unlike certain people."

Emily covered her mouth to hide her giggle, while Becky gasped theatrically. "Wow, the shade! You're savage, Freen."

"I'm honest," Freen corrected, her voice calm. "There's a difference."

"Remind me never to ask Freen for her opinion on my outfits," Irin muttered, which made the group burst into laughter.

As the conversation continued, Freen found herself surprisingly at ease. Becky's friends were lively and a little chaotic, but there was something endearing about their energy. Even their relentless teasing felt... welcoming in its own way.

At one point, Nop turned to Freen with a mischievous grin. "Okay, serious question-has Becky ever been on time to one of your study sessions?"

Freen's lips quirked into a small smile. "Once. She was so proud of herself that she demanded a medal."

"It was a momentous occasion!" Becky declared, puffing out her chest. "You should have made me one out of chocolate."

"Chocolate is wasted on you," Freen replied. "You don't deserve it."

The table erupted in laughter, with even Freen cracking the faintest of smiles. Becky clutched her chest, pretending to be wounded. "Freen, I thought we were friends."

"We are," Freen said simply, taking another sip of tea. "I just have standards."

Nam wiped away a tear of laughter, shaking her head. "I can't believe it. Freen, you're funnier than Becky. And you don't even try."

"That's her secret weapon," Becky said, grinning. "She's sneaky funny. Like a ninja of sarcasm."

"A ninja of sarcasm," Freen repeated, raising an eyebrow. "How... eloquent."

"See?" Becky said, pointing at her. "She just proved my point."

By the end of lunch, Freen realized something unexpected-she didn't entirely mind this group. Their teasing was playful, their energy contagious, and their acceptance unspoken but genuine. And though she'd never admit it out loud, sitting with them felt oddly... nice.

As the bell rang and everyone started clearing their trays, Becky threw an arm around Freen's shoulders, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, Freen, what do you think of my friends?"

Freen glanced at the group, her expression carefully neutral. "They're tolerable."

"Tolerable?" Becky echoed, laughing. "Coming from you, that's basically a love letter."

"I prefer concise communication," Freen said, adjusting her glasses. "Now let go. You're impeding my movement."

Becky laughed harder, releasing her hold. "Oh, Freen. What would I do without you?"

"Crash and burn," Freen replied without missing a beat, earning another round of laughter from the group.

And as they walked back to class, Becky couldn't help but feel a swell of pride. She had successfully introduced Freen to her friends-and against all odds, they loved her.