Beneath the Surface

Some New Girl

It's a beautiful morning as I wake up, preparing for my 8 AM class. Amari greets me with a smile. "Oh, you're finally up."

"Yes, and I'll quickly take a shower," I reply, rushing to the bathroom.

"I'll make us some cereal!" Amari announces.

After my shower, I dress quickly, and we sit down for breakfast. Just as we're about to head out, Liam appears at the door.

"Good morning, babe!" he says, kissing my cheek.

"Good morning," I respond, blushing.

"Hello, Amari," he greets.

"Good morning, Mr. Lover Boy," Amari teases.

Liam chuckles. "Well, I can't resist starting the day with my favorite person."

Amari playfully rolls her eyes. "Flattery won't get you extra cereal, but you can stay for coffee."

We all share a light laugh, setting a cheerful tone for the morning.

In class, Amari, Liam, and I settle in when an unfamiliar face enters the room. Before I can react, Liam is already smiling and waving at the girl.

"Stacy!"

"Lee!" she exclaims in surprise.

Amari leans over and whispers in my ear, "Who the hell is this fine-looking girl?" I give her a side-eye, and she holds her hands up in surrender.

"Lee?" I ask, looking at Liam.

"Oh, that's just how Stacy calls me," he says, giggling. Seeing Liam forget that I'm right by his side while he lovingly speaks to another girl makes me so enraged.

"Oh, Samara, Amari, this is Stacy. She's my childhood best friend," Liam introduces.

"Hey, guys, nice to meet you!" Stacy says, smiling and extending a handshake.

"Hello," Amari and I say, reciprocating the handshake. Liam and Stacy continue chit-chatting while I try to suppress my irritation, wanting to leave, but I have to stay since class isn’t over yet.

Finally, class is over, and I pack my stuff, intending to leave with Amari.

"Lee, do you want to catch up over pizza?"

"Please, I really, really missed you," she says, giving him cute puppy eyes. Liam doesn’t hesitate and agrees right away. I sarcastically imitate Liam’s “sure,” rolling my eyes.

"You said something."

I fake a smile. "No, I didn’t."

As they’re about to go, I offer to join, not wanting Liam and Stacy to be alone.

"Amari and I would love to join you," I say.

"We do? I thought you wanted to leave right away."

"No, I didn’t," I reply, maintaining the fake smile.

"Yes, we'd love to join," Amari chimes in, her smile masking any hint of my internal turmoil.

Stacy, unaware of the underlying tension, beams. "Great! It’s been ages since I caught up with Lee. It’ll be so much fun!"

As we walk towards the pizza place, Amari nudges me and whispers, "You're handling this surprisingly well, considering."

I shrug, attempting nonchalance. "What choice do I have? Besides, I don’t want to give them the satisfaction."

The pizza place buzzes with activity as we settle into a corner booth. Liam and Stacy sit next to each other, engrossed in their own world, sharing stories of their childhood. I feel like an outsider, my irritation growing with each passing moment.