I didn't know what I was expecting when I followed Talia down the hallway, but it wasn't this.
The lounge was full.
Not just a few students sitting quietly, but groups of people talking, laughing, moving around like they had already known each other for years. It didn't feel like the first week of school, It felt like I had arrived late to something that had already started.
I slowed down near the entrance but Talia didn't.
"Come on," she said, glancing back at me. "Don't stand there."
"I'm coming," I said, even though my feet didn't agree with me.
She shook her head and walked back to me.
"You're overthinking it again right?," she said.
"I'm not."I replied.
"You are," she replied. "It's just the lounge, not an interview, so just relax."
I looked around again. People were dressed casually, but there was something about them that still made everything feel intentional.
"I'll just stand here," I said.
"No, you won't," she replied, grabbing my wrist gently. "You're coming with me,"she added.
Before I could argue, she pulled me into the room.
I tried not to look uncomfortable as we walked past different groups. Some people glanced at us briefly, then looked away. Others didn't even notice and that was better,not being noticed was easier.
Talia stopped near the coffee area and picked up two cups.
"Here," she said, handing one to me.
"Thanks."i replied.
She leaned against the counter, watching the room like she belonged there.
"So," she said, "first impression of Westbridge?"she asked.
I took a small sip of my coffee before answering.
"It's a lot,"I said.
She laughed. "That's a nice way of putting it."
"I mean it," I said. "Everything feels planned. Even the way people talk,"I added.
"That's because it is," she replied. "Nothing here happens by accident,"she added.
I frowned slightly. "That sounds stressful."
"It is, if you care," she said. "If you don't, then you'll be fine,"she said again.
I nodded slowly.
"I don't plan to get involved," I said.
Talia gave me a look. "You keep saying that,"she said.
"Because I mean it,"I said.
She smiled a little, like she didn't fully believe me.
"We'll see about that," she said.
Before I could respond, two girls walked past us, they were talking in a low tone but not low enough.
"I'm telling you, he's back already."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. I saw him this morning."
"Then tonight is going to be crazy."
I tried not to listen, but it was hard not to.
"Do you think he'll come here?" the second girl asked.
"Of course he will. He always does."
They walked away before I could hear more.
I glanced at Talia.
"Who are they talking about?" I asked.
"You heard that?"she asked.
"It was hard not to,"I said.
She hesitated for a moment, like she was deciding whether to answer or not.
"You'll find out," she said finally.
"That's not an answer,"I said.
"It's enough for now," she replied.
I frowned, but didn't push further..A few minutes passed, and I started to relax a little. The noise didn't disturb anymore, at least I can still cope with it. Talia, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease.
She greeted people as they passed, exchanged quick conversations, and laughed easily. It was like she had been here longer than a few hours.
"You know a lot of people already," I said.
She shrugged. "I talk to people. It helps,"she said.
"I prefer not to."I replied.
"I know," she said. "But sometimes, it's not your choice."
I didn't respond.
*********
Not long after, another group entered the lounge, louder than the rest. Their energy shifted the room slightly. The whole conversation paused, people turned their heads and undivided attention followed.
I noticed it immediately.
Not the people themselves, but the way others reacted to them.
"Something just changed," I said quietly.
Talia glanced toward the entrance, then back at me.
"Yeah," she said.
"What is it?"
She didn't answer immediately.
"Like I said," she said after a moment, "nothing here happens by accident."she added.
From where I stood, I couldn't see clearly. Just movement, a small crowd forming, people stepping aside to make space.
I looked away almost immediately because it wasn't my business.
"Lily," Talia said softly.
I looked at her.
"If you want to stay invisible," she continued, "then don't get curious about things like that."she added.
I nodded.
"I won't."I replied.
And I meant it.
Curiosity leads to attention. Attention leads to problems and I didn't need that.
I focused on my coffee again, letting the noise settle around me.
But after a few seconds, I found my eyes drifting in that direction again. This time I glanced at Talia again, to ask the question.
"Should I ask," I said slowly, "who that is?"
I wasn't even sure why I was asking, It shouldn't have mattered to me.
Whoever that person was, whatever attention they were getting, it had nothing to do with me. That was how I wanted it to stay.
*****
"I was wondering how long it would take," she said.
"For what?" I asked.
"For you to get curious," she replied.
"I'm not curious," I said quickly.
She raised an eyebrow. "You just asked,"she said.
I opened my mouth to respond, then closed it again.
Maybe she was right. Maybe I was a little curious, but that didn't mean anything.
"It doesn't matter," I said finally. "I was just asking."
Talia nodded slowly, but I could tell she didn't believe me.
"Like I said," she replied, picking up her cup again, "you'll find out soon enough."
I frowned slightly. "Why does everyone keep saying that?"I asked.
"Because," she said, glancing toward the crowd again, "in this place, some people are impossible to ignore… even if you try."she added.
I didn't respond.
I just held my cup a little tighter, telling myself again that whatever was happening over there had nothing to do with me.