You had never really fit in. Not at home, and certainly not at your old school. But this was supposed to be a fresh start. Months had passed, though, and nothing had changed.

Tonight was no different. You sat in a corner, your book open but your mind elsewhere. You weren't reading, not really. You never were. It was just an excuse to be left alone.

And then, from across the room, there was a loud thud. You looked up, startled, to see a boy with messy curls sprawled out dramatically on the couch.

"I swear, if I hear one more word about that stupid essay, I'm throwing myself into the lake," Mattheo groaned.

"Do it," Draco drawled from his chair. "Let the giant squid deal with you."

Theo grinned. "I bet it'd throw him right back."

You couldn't help it—a small, involuntary laugh escaped you. It wasn't loud, barely noticeable, but in the quiet room, it stood out. They all turned to look at you.

Mattheo shot up immediately, eyes locking onto you. "Wait. Did you just laugh?" he asked.

Enzo grinned mischievously. "I think she did."

Draco raised an eyebrow. "So you do speak after all," he remarked.

You shifted uncomfortably. "Sometimes," you mumbled.

Theo leaned back in his chair. "How have we never talked before?" he asked.

You shrugged. "I don’t know," you answered.

"Why are you always alone?" Tom asked, his voice softer than the others.

"I guess I'm just used to it," you muttered, wishing the words didn’t sound so hollow.

The silence stretched for a beat longer. Then, without warning, Theo stood up, grabbed an extra chair, and dragged it across the room with an air of finality.

"Not anymore," he said.

Draco smirked. "You're sitting with us now."

Blaise gave a small nod. "Yeah. Consider it a permanent arrangement."

Enzo's grin widened. "No take-backs."

Your heart skipped a beat. You opened your mouth to protest, but Mattheo interrupted you. "Come on, we're way more fun than sitting alone."

"But—" you started.

"Nope," Mattheo cut you off with a playful wink. "You're stuck with us now."