The buzz of the dining hall filled Taylor’s ears as she carried her tray to an empty table. Students crowded around tables, some hurriedly finishing their meals between classes, others lounging in their seats, caught up in easy conversation. She surveyed the crowd to find a new target for her powers. Then she saw Adriana sitting with some friends at a nearby table.
Taylor didn’t know Adriana well, only that she was a sophomore and the kind of girl people noticed when she walked into a room. She had the effortless confidence of someone who had never questioned her place in the world. Tall and athletic, with toned legs and arms that hinted at years of dedication to sports, she carried herself with an easy grace. Her straight blonde hair was tied back into a ponytail, showing off a sharp jawline and high cheekbones. She wore a fitted tank top and black leggings. The group she was with was a mix of athletic types, most of them still wearing workout gear, probably fresh from a gym session or a run.
Taylor watched as one of Adriana’s friends, a girl with curly brown hair and an oversized hoodie, took a bite of her sandwich—only for a chunk of tomato to slip out and land right on her sweatshirt.
The entire table erupted into laughter, playful and teasing.
“Oh my God, nice one, Claire,” one of the guys chuckled, shaking his head. “You gonna wear that for the rest of the day?”
Claire groaned, dabbing at the stain with a napkin. “Ugh, of course this happens when I’m wearing white.”
Adriana smirked, leaning back in her chair. “Real smooth,” she teased, nudging Emma’s arm. “Classic move.”
Claire rolled her eyes, still laughing. “Oh, like you’ve never done that?”
Adriana raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. “Nope. Never.”
And that was all Taylor needed to think of what to write: "Adriana is self-conscious about how messily she eats."
Adriana picked up her fork, speared a piece of her salad, and lifted it to her mouth, but a glob of dressing clung to the side of her lips.
Taylor saw it immediately. And judging by the way Adriana suddenly froze, she felt it too. Her hand twitched, almost instinctively moving to wipe her face, but then she hesitated—too much attention would make it obvious. Instead, she quickly licked the spot away, eyes flicking around to see if anyone noticed.
The next bite was worse.
A piece of lettuce slipped from her fork and landed right on her lap. Adriana’s cheeks tinged pink as she brushed it off with quick, stiff movements. Her friends were still talking, absorbed in their own conversation, but now, she wasn’t. Her shoulders tensed ever so slightly as she picked up her sandwich. She took a careful bite—but the overstuffed bread squished in her grip, forcing a dollop of sauce to ooze out onto her fingers. Adriana tried to play it off, subtly wiping her hand against her napkin, but Taylor saw the way her jaw tightened. The way she darted another glance at the people around her, as if waiting for someone to call her out.