The cafeteria was loud, as usual. Trays clattered, students laughed and shouted across tables, and the hum of the air conditioner buzzed in the background. But none of that mattered. I barely noticed.
Bella was talking—her voice always loud and filled with energy, her hands animated as she described some party her cousin had thrown in London. I nodded occasionally, but my mind was elsewhere.
It had been a strange morning. Mrs. Penelope, our school's proprietress, had called me into her office. She'd smiled kindly, but there was something about her expression that made me feel... uneasy.
"You look tense," she'd said, studying me closely.
I had nodded, my lips pressed tight, trying to hold back the emotions that were threatening to spill over.
"I trust you'll get it. Don't worry, dear," she continued, her voice calm, soothing. "You've always been steady. I believe that matters."
But I didn't feel steady. Not at all.
I'd applied to Princeton. An Ivy League school. One that my parents couldn't really afford. I'd done it on a whim, on hope—a hope that my scholarship exam would be enough to get me in. But now… now I was second-guessing myself. What if I didn't make it? What if I failed?
Bella, on the other hand, had money. She had a future that was already laid out for her. She was going to Oxford, with no worries, no complications. Me? I felt like I was walking on a tightrope, one misstep away from falling.
And then Mrs. Penelope had dropped another bombshell.
"I'm sorry, Avaline," she'd said, her voice softer now. "I couldn't write your college recommendation. Too many students. You didn't come early enough."
My heart had sank. No recommendation? That was a blow I hadn't expected.
"Ma… what do you mean?" I'd whispered, trying to keep my voice from breaking.
"Maybe you should ask Mr. Dawson," Mrs. Penelope had suggested. "I know he's… firm, but he writes good ones."
Mr. Dawson. Everyone knew he didn't do anything for free. You had to earn it—and not in a kind way. I was suddenly, painfully aware that I might have to do whatever it took just to get my recommendation.
I hadn't known what to say, so I'd nodded, my heart heavy.
"Thank you, ma'am," I'd said softly, standing up and gathering my things. I had left her office feeling like the weight of the world was on my shoulders.
Now, here I was, sitting across from Bella in the cafeteria, completely lost in my own thoughts. Her voice was a constant stream of excitement, but I couldn't focus on any of it. My mind was too occupied with the looming possibility of failure. Princeton was my dream. But without that scholarship, would it even be possible?
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.
"Avi!" Bella's voice snapped me back to reality. She hit the table so hard it startled me, and suddenly, all the loud noises of the cafeteria rushed back into my ears—metal forks scraping against plates, students laughing, the buzz of chatter.
I blinked, looking at her. "Yes…?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What were you even thinking about? You were so lost in thought. I bet you didn't hear a word I was saying."
I lowered my head, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. "I'm sorry."
Bella just stared at me for a moment, confused, before shaking her head. She had no idea what I was really going through. Bella had an easy life—everything was set for her. She had money, she had a future, she didn't have to worry like I did.
I sighed softly, running a hand through my hair. Just then, I saw Josh walking toward us, looking all tan and confident. His presence was a welcome distraction.
"Josh?" I said, blinking in surprise as he approached our table.
"Hey, ladies—oh, wait. There's only one lady here," he teased, winking at Bella.
Bella rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot, Josh."
I couldn't help but smile. They were always like this—playfully insulting each other, but you could tell they cared. It made me feel a little lighter, even if just for a second.
"So, Josh, what have you been up to?" I asked, grateful for the change in topic.
"Training," he replied, grinning.
"Oh—baseball?" I asked, a little surprised.
"Of course," he answered with a laugh.
Bella smirked. "What else would a loser like you be doing?"
I chuckled, shaking my head. Bella never held back.
"Are you coming Saturday?" Josh asked suddenly, his eyes bright.
"Coming where?" I asked, completely confused.
Bella raised an eyebrow. "Do you ever know what's going on around you?"
"There's a game," Josh explained. "Baseball. A match against Westhill High. Are you coming?"
"Oh, I didn't know," I replied, a bit embarrassed. "Sorry."
Josh's face fell a little, but he shrugged it off. "It's fine. I just wanted you there."
"Wait…" I said, my eyes widening. "You're playing?"
"Yup. First line-up," Josh said proudly, puffing out his chest.
I blinked, still processing. "Wow. That's amazing."
Bella raised an eyebrow. "Wow. You playing baseball? I never thought I'd see the day."
Josh glared at her teasingly. "I'll shut that pretty mouth of yours if you keep this up."
"Please, Josh, just let her be," I said, laughing a little.
"Fine," he said dramatically. "So, are you coming?"
"I don't know. I might be working," I said quietly, suddenly unsure.
Josh's face dropped. "You can't ditch work for one game? Just for me?"
I sighed. "It's not that easy…"
Bella glanced up from her phone. "Why do you care so much if we watch you play? It's not like you're the team captain."
"Bella, please," I murmured, giving her a pleading look.
Josh's face softened. "It's just… it'd mean a lot if you came, Ava."
I smiled at him, trying to ease his disappointment. "I might be able to make it… but I won't stay long."
His face lit up. "Yes! That's all I need!"
Then he turned to Bella. "What about you, monkey?"
I giggled as Bella pretended not to hear him.
"Well," she said, dragging out the word as she looked at her nails. "Only because Ava's going… otherwise, I wouldn't even bother."
The three of us burst into laughter, the tension between us dissolving in an instant. Despite everything that was weighing on me, despite all the doubts about college and scholarships, I couldn't help but feel grateful for this moment. For these friends.
Even if the future felt uncertain, at least I had them.
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