-willow tree-

friends

As Adaline sat at the table with her friends, she felt a knot tighten in her stomach when Tiffany plopped down next to her with a flourish. The familiar scent of Tiffany's floral perfume filled the air, a scent that had always reminded Adaline of their years of friendship. They had shared countless laughs, secrets, and memories, but in that moment, Adaline felt the weight of expectation crushing down on her.

"Can you believe that new girl?" Tiffany began, her voice animated as she leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I mean, seriously, what's with that outfit? It looks like she raided her grandma's closet!"

Adaline forced a laugh, feeling a pang of guilt as she did so. She had seen Jane's outfit earlier and thought it was unique and interesting, but she couldn't dare voice that opinion here. Tiffany's words were like a magnet, pulling Adaline into the familiar territory of judgment and mockery.

"Right?" Adaline managed to reply, her tone strained as she tried to match Tiffany's energy. "I don't know what she was thinking. And did you hear her accent? It's so... different."

Tiffany's laughter rang out, and Adaline felt herself smile, but it felt forced. "I mean, who even says 'water' that way? It's like she's trying too hard to be something she's not," Tiffany continued, glancing around the table for support. The others nodded, their expressions a mix of amusement and agreement.

Adaline's heart raced as she watched the group revel in their shared disdain for Jane. "Yeah, I guess she just doesn't fit in," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

"Exactly! It's like she thinks we're just going to welcome her with open arms or something," Tiffany scoffed. "I mean, come on! We don't need another loser in our group."

Adaline felt a sharp pang of discomfort at the word "loser," knowing full well that Jane was just trying to find her place in a new school. She wanted to speak up, to defend Jane, but the fear of losing her friends and being ostracized held her back. Instead, she swallowed her thoughts and nodded along, forcing herself to join in the laughter that erupted from the table.

"Honestly, if she wants to be part of this school, she better step up her game," Tiffany said with a smirk. "Otherwise, she'll always be the awkward girl sitting alone."

Adaline felt like she was suffocating beneath the weight of her choices. She glanced at Jane, who was still sitting alone, her expression a mixture of confusion and hurt. Adaline's heart ached for her, but she remained silent, hiding her true feelings behind a mask of indifference. She knew she had to play the part, to keep up the façade of friendship with Tiffany and the others, even if it meant betraying her own values and leaving Jane to fend for herself.