THE LIGHT BEYOND LOSS

Legends and Lore

The cafeteria buzzed with the sounds of students chatting and trays clattering, the atmosphere alive with the usual rhythm of the academy's midday break. Livia, Emma, Sophie, and Isabelle made their way through the line, their trays quickly filling up with a colorful assortment of delicious food. The cafeteria, much to Livia's surprise, had a variety of options—fresh salads with bright greens and tomatoes glistening under a light drizzle of vinaigrette, hearty lasagna oozing with layers of cheese and sauce, and freshly baked bread rolls still warm from the oven. The dessert section showcased fluffy pastries, chocolate mousse, and a fruit bar that smelled of freshly cut melon and berries.

Livia, keeping it simple, chose a spinach and feta pie with a side of roasted vegetables and a small cup of strawberry yogurt. Emma, a little more adventurous, grabbed a platter of sushi and tempura, while Isabelle loaded her tray with pasta and meatballs, laughing about needing the carbs for her next football practice. Sophie, true to her artistic nature, picked a dish of quinoa salad, commenting on the vibrant colors of the beets, avocados, and pomegranate seeds mixed in.

They settled into a cozy corner of the cafeteria by the large windows, where a cool breeze drifted in, stirring the soft curtains and sending a calming wave of fresh air over them. The view from the window was serene—Gothenburg's skyline visible in the distance, framed by the lush greenery of the academy grounds. Livia found herself lost in the peacefulness of it all, the beauty of the moment washing over her as she gazed at the scenery.

Just as she was falling deeper into her thoughts, Isabelle nudged her arm. Livia blinked and turned, her heart skipping a beat when she saw Jonas standing right there with his tray in hand, wearing that easy, laid-back smile.

"Hey! Guess you're mingling well here," he said, his voice warm and casual. "Good to see you getting along with ease." He gestured toward the girls sitting with her.

Before Livia could fully register what was happening, one of Jonas' friends called him from across the cafeteria. Jonas gave a quick, apologetic wave. "Yeah, see you later," he added, flashing the group a smile before walking off to join his friends, leaving behind a ripple of excitement in his wake.

The moment Jonas was out of sight, Sophie, Isabelle, and Emma turned to Livia with wide eyes. They were speechless at first, but Sophie was the first to recover, her curiosity bubbling over.

"Do you know who that is?" Sophie asked, her voice almost a whisper as if speaking too loudly would break the spell of what had just happened.

Isabelle, equally animated, leaned forward. "How do you know him? And what was with the 'see you later' and that smile?"

Livia blinked, still overwhelmed by their sudden barrage of questions. "Woah, woah, woah," she raised her hands defensively, trying to calm the situation. "I just bumped into him this morning—literally. He introduced himself, showed me the way to the help desk, and that's it. He mentioned he was kind of popular, but I didn't think much of it. I just know his name is Jonas, nothing more."

The girls stared at her like she had just casually admitted to winning the lottery. Then, unable to contain themselves any longer, they burst into laughter and launched into what could only be described as a deep dive into the lore of Gothenburg International Academy's most famous figures.

"You have no idea," Sophie said, shaking her head with a grin. "That's Jonas Karlsson, one half of the Karlsson brothers."

"The Karlsson brothers?" Livia repeated, her brows furrowing as she tried to keep up.

"Yeah," Isabelle jumped in, her voice full of excitement. "Jonas and his brother, John, are basically legends here. They're both on the football team. Jonas plays in defense, and John's the goalkeeper. They've been pillars of the GIA football team for years now. Everyone knows them, and let's just say, they're very... popular."

"And then," Sophie added, lowering her voice for dramatic effect, "there's Arnaud Dubois. He's the most famous guy in the academy. Known for his leadership and, well, his looks. Almost every girl here has a crush on him."

Emma gave Livia a sympathetic look and said, "You've just been greeted by one of the most sought-after guys here. People would kill to have even a brief chat with him."

Livia, still trying to make sense of it all, let out a soft sigh. While the girls seemed starstruck by Jonas and the other "legends" of the academy, Livia wasn't particularly impressed. She could see how charismatic Jonas was, and she understood the allure of popular guys in high school, but for her, the whole thing seemed a bit... typical. It was just another high school filled with the same social dynamics she had seen before.

Noticing Livia's disinterest, Emma quickly stepped in and changed the subject. "Hey, enough about the guys. Let's talk about us instead. We're all here to get to know each other, right?"

Grateful for the shift, Livia smiled and nodded. Sophie's face lit up as she launched into a passionate explanation of her love for painting, describing her latest project where she was working on a massive canvas inspired by the colors of autumn. Isabelle chimed in about her football practice, talking about her goals for the season and how she hoped to lead her team to victory in the upcoming championship. Emma, true to her literary nature, gushed about a book she was reading—a historical fiction set in the Joseon dynasty in Korea—and how much she loved literature.

When it was Livia's turn, she opened up a little about her love for fiction, how she wrote a blog where she reviewed books, and how she spent hours getting lost in the stories she loved. She also mentioned her growing interest in K-pop, which instantly earned her enthusiastic nods from Emma and Sophie, who were also fans of the genre.

The afternoon passed by in a blur of laughter and shared stories, and by the time the girls finished their meals, Livia felt a small sense of relief settle over her. While she wasn't yet fully at ease, it was clear that Emma, Sophie, and Isabelle were warm, welcoming friends. It made her feel a bit more confident in this new chapter of her life.

As they gathered their trays to leave, Livia glanced out the window one more time, taking in the peaceful scenery again. The day had faded into late afternoon, and the sun was casting a golden hue over the academy grounds. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.

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"We do not remember days, we remember moments." - Cesare Pavese

As Livia sat there with her new friends, listening to their laughter and stories, she realized that it wasn't the daunting first day she'd remember. It would be these small, fleeting moments—new friendships, shared smiles, and a quiet sense of belonging—that would stay with her.

- Hanuel !