Just as she was about to write another sentence about Adriana, she spotted someone waving at her from the corner of her eye. She followed the hand back to its owner and noticed that her friends were seated across the cafeteria and beckoning Taylor to come over. There was Amelia, always upbeat with her quirky sense of humor, and Liam, who was usually calm and laid-back but had a dry wit that made Taylor laugh every time. Then there was Olivia, who was the more studious type but had a razor-sharp sarcasm that cut through anything, especially when she got riled up.
“Hey guys,” Taylor said, smiling as she approached their table.
Amelia waved excitedly, “You made it just in time! I was about to eat your fries.” She grinned mischievously, a sparkle in her bright green eyes.
Liam just nodded with his usual calmness, “I saved you some,” he said, as if it were a big deal.
Olivia, not looking up from her book, mumbled, “If you don’t, I’m not sharing any of my salad.”
Taylor laughed and slid into the empty seat next to Olivia. She was in the middle of a conversation about the weekend plans when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of something happening at the table nearby.
Her attention was drawn to a trio of sorority girls who were sitting at a nearby table, their laughter loud and echoing through the cafeteria. Maeve, Jane, and Avery were sitting across from a chubby brunette, a girl Taylor didn’t recognize. The trio of girls seemed to be enjoying themselves, but not in a friendly way. Taylor could hear bits of their conversation, as the girl in the center was trying to eat her lunch while Maeve, who was clearly the leader of the group, led the teasing.
Maeve had the air of someone who thought they were untouchable. As the sorority president, she carried herself like she owned the room—her straightened blonde hair, impeccable makeup, and perfectly pressed outfit all screamed authority. Her posture was commanding, her eyes sharp, scanning the room like she was always looking for someone to put down. Maeve’s laugh, too, had that sharp edge that made it clear she had no problem being the one to cause discomfort.
Sitting beside her was Avery, the second in command. Avery was tall, with long, dark hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves. Her style was trendy and effortless, but she always had that sly, calculating grin. She enjoyed playing the role of Maeve's wingwoman, offering sarcastic remarks or jabs with precision, but in a way that was always subtle. Avery's laugh was a little more insidious than Maeve’s—more like a cat circling her prey, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Then there was Jane, the third member of the trio. Jane was the most outspoken of the three, quick to make her opinions known. Her hair was platinum blonde and sleek, always perfectly styled, and her bold makeup emphasized her sharp features. She was the one who always seemed to get in the last word, interrupting with biting comments or laughter that made others shrink back. Her confidence was palpable, and she had a way of making people feel small without even trying.
As Taylor watched the trio, she could hear snippets of their conversation.
“God, you’re actually eating all of that?” Avery said with a sarcastic tone, flicking her long, manicured nails as she smirked at the chubby girl across from her.
Jane leaned forward, grinning. “You really think that’s a good idea?” she said, her voice laced with mock concern.
Maeve laughed loudly, her voice ringing out like a bell. “If you keep that up, you’ll be bigger than the table by the end of the semester. Maybe they’ll need to make a new seat for you in the cafeteria.”
Taylor frowned, her stomach turning a little as she watched the interaction unfold. The chubby girl seemed to shrink further into herself, unable to meet their mocking gaze. It was clear the trio was enjoying this at the girl’s expense, and Taylor found herself distracted from her own lunch.
Maeve’s voice rang out again, louder this time. “Are you going to finish that or just leave it here for the rest of us to look at? It’s seriously uncomfortable watching you eat like that.”
Jane let out a laugh, echoing Maeve’s sentiment, while Avery just rolled her eyes, leaning back in her seat and crossing her arms as she shot a glance toward the girl’s plate, as if the girl’s eating habits were something to be judged so openly.
Taylor's irritation grew, but she decided to stay in the moment, observing from afar for now, her attention divided between her friends and the scene unfolding at the other table.