The bell above the door jingles as we step inside, and the familiar scent of sizzling burgers and fresh coffee wraps around me like a worn-in hoodie. The vinyl booths are cracked in places, and the jukebox in the corner is still half-broken, yet it somehow always plays the right song.
Mia’s the last to arrive and slides into our usual booth, stealing a fry off Nolan’s plate before he even has a chance to eat one. He swats at her hand, but she grins, popping it into her mouth like she owns the place.
“Unbelievable,” Nolan mutters, shoving the plate toward the center of the table in defeat.
“Sharing is caring, Noles,” Mia says sweetly, then turns to me. “Okay, let’s talk about the absolute wreckage you left on that track tonight. I don’t think Tara’s ego will ever recover.”
I smirk, leaning back in the booth. “She had it coming.”
Xavier’s sitting next to me, stretching an arm across the back of the booth like he owns the damn place. “Understatement of the year.”
Nolan shakes his head. “Still can’t believe you beat Xavier by a full car length.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Xavier drawls, taking a lazy sip of his soda. “Let the girl have her moment.”
Mia snorts. “Oh, we will. We will never let her forget this.”
I grin, the warmth in my chest settling into something solid. This is what I needed. The easy rhythm of conversation, the way we fall into place like we always have. No whispers, no doubts, just the four of us.
The rest of our food arrives, and between bites of my burger and stolen fries from Nolan’s plate, I let myself soak it all in. Mia’s animated gestures as she tells a ridiculous story about her little brother sneaking a frog into their house. Nolan’s exasperated eye roll as he tries (and fails) to hide his amusement. Xavier’s quiet chuckle, the way his knee presses against mine under the table like an anchor.
For the first time in what feels like forever, the weight in my chest lightens. This is home. These people, this place, this feeling. And no matter what happens next, no matter what fight comes my way, I know one thing for sure. I’m not alone.
We’re well into October, and the halls are decked out for Homecoming. I stare at the nomination list posted outside the main office, my name scrawled in bold under Homecoming Queen, alongside two names that spike my blood pressure. Tara Lawson and Lisa Bijay.
Ofcourse,it’s them.
The hallway buzzes with excitement. Students gather around the list, whispering and pointing. Some glance my way, some smile, and others, mainly Tara’s group, exchange smug looks, already acting as if the crown is hers.
“Holyshit.” Mia skids to a stop next to me, gripping my arm like she’s afraid I might pass out. “You’re up for Queen?”
I snort, crossing my arms. “Yeah. Try to contain your shock.”
She ignores me, already scrolling through her phone. “Do youknowwhat this means? We are officially in full campaign mode. We need posters, social media blasts, maybe even a ‘Vote for Izzy’ campaign video…”
“Mia.” I press a hand to her shoulder before she spirals. “I don’t even care about Homecoming.”
“Well, you should! You deserve to win.” She glares down the hall at Tara and Lisa, who are basking in the attention as if they already have tiaras glued to their heads. “And I refuse to let those two take this without a fight.”
Before I can remind her I have zero interest in being Homecoming Queen, Xavier’s voice cuts through the noise. “This is getting interesting.”
I turn to see him leaning against the lockers, arms crossed, a smirk firmly in place. Next to him, Nolan scans the list, eyebrows raised. “You, me, and Owen Chandler,” Xavier muses, nodding at the Homecoming King nominees. “That’s one hell of a lineup.”
I roll my eyes. “Oh great, you get to compete with your best friend while I get stuck with them.” I jerk my chin toward Tara and Lisa, who are whispering and giggling like they’re in some bad teen movie.
Nolan snorts. “Yeah, good luck with that.”
Mia, never one to miss a chance for drama, claps her hands together. “Okay, hear me out. What if Izzy and Xavier both win? Power-couple victory.”
I choke. “Mia,no.”
Xavier, the cocky bastard, grins. “I wouldn’t hate it.”
I elbow him in the ribs, but before I can say anything else, a too-sweet voice cuts in. “Well, well, well. Look who made the list.” Tara. She and Lisa saunter up, their designer backpacks slung over their shoulders like badges of honor. Tara’s smile is sugar-coated poison. “Didn’t think you were the type to care about Homecoming, Izzy.”
“I’m not.” I turn to leave, but Lisahasto add her two cents.
“Then maybe you should drop out,” she says, her tone dripping with faux innocence. “Save yourself the embarrassment.”
