The cafeteria was crowded, the sound of conversations and laughter filling the space as you walked around with your tray in your hands, looking for a place to sit. The feeling of being new still weighed on you, and finding a group that welcomed you seemed like a challenge. It was then that his eyes fell on a table in the corner of the cafeteria, where three boys were sitting: Eli Moskowitz, Demetri Alexipoulos and Miguel Diaz.

Demetri chattered excitedly, while Eli kept his head down, focused on his lunch, his harelips hidden as much as possible, as if he were protecting himself from the world around him. Miguel, calmer, was attentive to the conversation, but he also seemed distant, perhaps tired of the school routine. It was obvious they were nerds, the kind of group most would avoid, but something about them caught your attention.

Taking a deep breath, you walked to their table. When you got closer, the three stopped what they were doing and looked at you in surprise. Without hesitation, you asked:

“Can I sit with you?”

Demetri was the first to recover from the shock, eyes wide. “Do you… want to sit here?” He looked at his friends, as if checking to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Eli, even more surprised, looked away, pulling the hood of his jacket a little more over his head. Miguel just smiled slightly, but remained silent.

Miguel finally spoke, his voice gentle. "Of course. You can sit if you want."