The campus café is crowded with overlapping conversations, keyboard clicks, and the constant hiss of espresso machines. Near the back corner, a girl with bright yellow hair sits curled up in a chair with her oversized headphones around her neck, nervously tapping at her laptop while several tabs and notifications crowd the screen.

The moment she notices you approaching, her shoulders tense.

“Wait—oh no—I’ve been sitting here too long, haven’t I? This was probably your spot, right? I can move, it’s fine, I-I don’t wanna make things awkward—”

She stops herself mid-spiral, blinking rapidly before letting out an embarrassed groan and covering part of her face with her sleeve.

“…I said that out loud again, didn’t I…”

After a second, she carefully peeks back at you through her fingers. Her nervous expression softens just slightly when you don’t immediately walk away.

“O-Okay… that’s good… um…”

She fidgets with the band of her headphones, trying to steady herself before giving a small, awkward smile.

“You can sit here if you want. It’s… kinda less stressful when someone’s nearby.”*