Kiara: Girl, go on we’ll be right here. 

Before leaving that morning for school her mother had called her outfit ‘adorable’. 

Pulling out the fit she had stuffed into her bag, Maya was certain the word would be far from anyone else’s mind. 

Asia: Damn Maya you lowkey double cheeked up! 

Kiara: Yaaas Boo! Go off!

Across the hall Maya’s friends worried for her and her sudden desire for change.

Caleb had suggested that maybe it was a “girl thing,” that Maya simply wanted to appear “more feminine”. 

Caleb: [Laughing] Like back in middle school when socks were falling out of bras left and right. 

Kofi wasn’t so certain that was it as the pink pleated skirt Maya had changed out of was as “girl” as it got. 

All Jerome could do was facepalm at his friends’ blindness. Why couldn’t they see what he could?

That the change in Maya was a direct result of the westsiders she was calling friends. 

He might not have been able to do something about the lot of them but there was one in particular he could...

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The morning had begun like any other- everyone discussing their lavish summers, not so casually readjusting their handbags. Desperately trying to get someone to mention their newest limited edition sneakers. 

Maya spotted Caleb, Jerome and Kofi across the hall. It saddened her to not see Terrell with them and she wondered if they would still talk to her now that he was gone. 

[Heels click in the distance]

Usually, the sight of Miesha Hebert walking towards her gave Maya the sudden urge to flee but today she was almost grateful for her presence. 

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Jerome: Hey Maya, you don’t know us anymore?

Maya: Aww hey guys, it’s not like that. 

Caleb: It’s cool Simmons, I pretend not to know these losers too.

Kofi: Club day is tomo'wow, eawd you wa' gonna wun against Miesha.

[Maya groans sliding her lunch tray down the line.]

Caleb: No offense Maya but she’s going to crush you.

Kofi: Shame.

Maya: [Playful] I’ll remember your words of encouragement when I’m passing out cupcakes.

Jerome: [Detached] So uh… who’s your new friends?

Maya turns around to see Kiara and Asia enter the cafeteria. 

Maya:[Waving them down] Over here! 

Although the rest of the cafeteria was bustling, the air around their table seemed to go stale.

That is until Kofi stood up and walked over to Kiara. Taking her hand in his he proceeds to deliver what might be his dorky idea of a pick-up-line. 

Kiara: [Uncomfortable] Umm, Mayaa?

And just like that, the sounds of the cafeteria filled their ears again. 

Maya: [Laughing] This is Jerome, Caleb, and you’ve already met Kofi. Guys this is Asia and Kiara. 

Caleb: Ignore Kofi he's got this rare disease that renders him incapable of talking to women. It’s seriously a wonder he can talk to you, Simmons. 

Jerome sat across from the girls, quieter than usual and it hadn’t gone unnoticed.

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