It's Always Like This

Chapter 3: First Day Jitters

The morning sun rose again, marking the beginning of another school day at Oakwood High. As Lily woke up and prepared for the day ahead, she couldn't shake the nervous butterflies fluttering in her stomach. Today was the day she had to face Mia again, and she desperately wanted to make a good impression on the new girl.

In front of the mirror, Lily fidgeted with her hair, trying to tame her unruly curls. "Come on, Lily," she whispered to herself. "You've known Ethan forever, and he likes you just the way you are. Just be yourself."

With a determined smile, Lily grabbed her backpack and headed to school. As she entered the bustling halls, she scanned the crowds for Mia. She spotted her talking to a group of students near the lockers, laughing at something one of them said. The sight only made Lily's heart race faster.

As the first bell rang, signaling the start of classes, Lily took a deep breath and approached Mia. "Hey, Mia," she greeted with a friendly smile, trying to suppress her nerves.

Mia turned to face Lily, her eyes lighting up as she recognized her. "Oh, hi, Lily! It's great to see you again," Mia replied warmly, offering a smile that could melt anyone's heart.

"Y-yeah, it's nice to see you too," Lily stammered, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment at her own nervousness.

Ethan, who had joined them, noticed Lily's unease and stepped in to ease the tension. "Hey, let's all walk to class together," he suggested, throwing an arm around Lily's shoulder in a friendly gesture.

Lily nodded gratefully, feeling a bit calmer in Ethan's reassuring presence. As they walked to their first class, Mia chatted animatedly about her experiences in her previous school and her excitement about joining the theater club at Oakwood High.

"Oh, you should definitely come to our next theater club meeting," Hannah Brown, a fellow student who overheard their conversation, chimed in. "We're always looking for new talents to join!"

Mia's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "That sounds amazing! I'd love to join," she said, her excitement contagious.

Lily couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. She had always been part of the theater club, and now Mia was joining too, which made her worry that she might be overshadowed by the new girl's charm and talent.

Throughout the day, Lily tried her best to befriend Mia, but her nerves got the better of her. She stumbled over her words, laughed awkwardly at Mia's jokes, and worried that she was coming across as clumsy and uninteresting.

During lunchtime, Sarah noticed Lily's unease and decided to intervene. "Hey, why don't we all sit together?" she suggested, motioning toward a table where Ethan and Mia were already seated.

Lily nodded, grateful for the lifeline. As they sat together, Sarah effortlessly engaged Mia in conversation, making her feel welcome and included. Lily took a deep breath, trying to relax and join in, but a part of her still felt overshadowed by the new girl's presence.

As the day came to an end, Lily couldn't help but feel disappointed in herself. She had let her nerves get the best of her, and she worried that she had made a terrible impression on Mia. As she walked home with Ethan, she finally mustered the courage to voice her concerns.

"Ethan, do you think Mia likes me?" Lily asked hesitantly, trying to mask her vulnerability.

Ethan stopped walking and turned to face her, his eyes filled with concern. "Lily, of course she likes you," he said earnestly. "You're an amazing friend, and anyone would be lucky to know you."

"But she's so charming and talented," Lily replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just... me."

Ethan shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. "And that's why she'll like you," he said. "Because you're genuine, caring, and you've been there for me since we were kids. Just be yourself, Lily. That's all you need to be."

Lily's eyes welled up with tears, touched by Ethan's words of reassurance. "Thank you, Ethan," she said, her voice catching. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ethan pulled her into a warm embrace, his arms enveloping her in a comforting hug. "You'll be just fine, Lily," he whispered, his voice full of sincerity. "And remember, I'll always be here for you."

As they continued their walk home, Lily felt a newfound sense of confidence. With Ethan's support and encouragement, she knew she could face whatever challenges came her way, even the jitters that came with making a new friend like Mia. And as the sun set on that eventful day, Lily couldn't help but feel hopeful for the friendship that lay ahead, knowing that no matter what, she had a true friend by her side.