"I'm pretty sure they're hosting a masquerade ball in two weeks when fall break starts. Y'all coming?"
"Of course! Damn, a masquerade though? We have to find dresses fast!" Rima responds as she takes a bite of her sausage biscuit. Y/n eyes her from the side as she face palms.
"Oh yeah, I forgot it's a ball." Ezekial chuckles from across the booth.
"There's the word 'ball' in it for a reason, Y/n." She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
"Thank God I can just find my old tuxedo from high school. Haven't worn it in years but it probably fits." Derrick says, his thumbs erratically stamping against his phone, indicating that he's playing a mobile game.
"Bro get a new one. We gotta look good for a ball." Rashad states, raising an eyebrow at Derrick.
"Yeah man, he's right. How else are you gonna find a girlfriend?" Ezekial teases. Derrick scoffs without switching his gaze.
"I'm sorry, mister 'I go from relationship to relationship because I can't find a match.' Maybe you should focus on your own fit." He laughs. Ezekial raises his hands up in surrender as the rest of the group laughs.
"Ouch, dude." He laughs. "Alright, I'll stop coming for you."
"Y/n, how has your stay been?" Rashad asks.
"It's been okay. Not as bad as I thought. I think I'm starting to get used to their dynamic." She responds, sighing as her chin leans against her palm.
"Can you elaborate on the dynamic you're talking about?" Rima inquires, curiously.
"Well, there seems to be hostility but not quite. I don't really know how to explain it." The group, except for Derrick, stares in silence before Ezekial clears his throat.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay with one of us?"
"Yeah, it's okay. They're not as weird as you guys think. I think they were just raised different." She says.
"Okay, well remember if anything weird happens, just let us know." He reassures. She nods with a thankful smile.
"Alright, well I gotta go to class so I'll see you later." She says, hopping from the booth as she grabs her bag. They say their goodbyes as she walks away.
"I don't care what she says. Those assholes are weird." Derrick says.
"Yeah, I know but she'll have to figure it out herself. We should definitely not get involved." Rima states.
"Yeah, but what if something bad happens. There's no way things will just go smoothly with that group." Ezekial says.
"If they're as bad as you guys say then I believe you. Especially with how Devon came up to our table so I wouldn't put it past them for something to go wrong. We can't really do anything about it until she asks." Rashad states.
"Even if she did what would we do besides go to the police, who most likely wouldn't do anything? I want to help her but I'm at a loss for what we could accomplish. I don't even think she realizes the help she'll end up needing." Rima sighs.
"All we can do is be supportive. We can at least be mindful of our surroundings as well." Rashad responds.
"Yeah because I'm not trying to end up as one of those missing cases from middle and high school. That shit was crazy and I know for a fact that they have something to do with it." Derrick says.
"I just hope Y/n sees before it's too late." Ezekial sighs. They all nod in agreement as they move to throw away their trash and grab their bags. After their dismissal, they all part ways, unaware of the lingering person that sat in the next booth, listening to their conversation.
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