Ellie Miller's POV
The restaurant was decorated in a minimalist yet warm style, with large windows allowing sunlight to stream in. The tables were perfectly arranged, and the scent of freshly brewed coffee blended with the aroma of dishes coming from the kitchen. Although the place felt cozy, Olivia couldn't help but notice something different about the atmosphere. She leaned forward and took a sip of her mineral water, slightly pursing her lips.
"This restaurant is actually quite good, I'll admit," she said, looking around with a theatrically thoughtful expression. "But I can't help feeling disappointed that they removed all the decorations I put up here months ago. Do you remember? It was for Sack's birthday. All that dedication… wasted!"
Sack let out a mocking laugh as he idly stirred his iced tea with a straw.
"Let me remind you, your decoration looked more like a children's party. Too many colors, too many balloons… I think there was even an inflatable clown at one point."
Olivia shot him a glare, though her lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"That was because I wanted to celebrate your fun side, sweetheart! But of course, you're always so serious. I dono how Lindsay can stand it."
Lindsay, who was sitting beside me, calmly intervened—as she always did when Olivia and Sack started their typical sarcastic exchanges.
"The food here is still great, and that hasn't changed," she commented, taking a bite of her salad. "And personally, I prefer fewer decorations and more table space."
Olivia exhaled dramatically before shifting her attention toward me. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"By the way, Ellie… didnadn't you go to get coffee earlier?" she asked, leaning in with a playful smile. "I was hoping you'd bought enough to share. You know how important caffeine is to keep this group running smoothly."
I smiled shyly, lowering my gaze to my hands folded on the table. I wasn't sure how to explain what had happened without sounding strange or being misunderstood.
"Well… something happened," I murmured, feeling my cheeks start to warm. "I ended up giving my coffee to a guy."
Olivia blinked slowly, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
"Excuse me? You gave your coffee to a complete stranger? Did he intimidate you or something?"
I quickly shook my head, feeling even more nervous under her scrutiny.
"No, no—it wasn't like that. He just… seemed to be under a lot of pressure. He forgot his wallet and looked frustrated. So I thought maybe he needed the coffee more than I did."
Sack, who until now had been quietly observing, placed his glass down and fixed me with a steady look.
"Ellie, if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable or bothers you, I want you to tell us immediately," he said in a protective tone. "It doesn't matter who it is or how insignificant it seems. We're here to watch over you."
I nodded gratefully, comforted by his concern.
"Thanks, Sack. But it wasn't anything like that. I just wanted to help. Besides, he seemed… different. Like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders."
Lindsay, who always had a big heart, reached out and hugged me gently.
"You have a good heart, Ellie. That's something you should never lose, no matter how tough this place can sometimes be."
Olivia, ever practical, changed the subject with a radiant smile.
"Alright, alright—enough of this kind-hearted superhero talk. Now let's discuss important things. There's a concert at Frost Amphitheater this afternoon. We should all go together. It's going to be epic, like everything I organize."
Lindsay nodded enthusiastically.
"And we could stop by to say hi to Megan first. You know, she's been our friend for a long time. She'd love to meet you, Ellie."
Sack also chimed in, adjusting the sleeves of his shirt.
"I need to stop by the soccer field for a bit to check on Marcus. He's been training hard lately, and I want to make sure he isn't pushing himself too far."
Olivia rolled her eyes, though it was clear she enjoyed these little dynamics between us.
"Whatever, Sack. Just don't be late for the concert. You know how much I hate waiting."
After finishing lunch, Sack waved goodbye casually and headed toward the soccer field. Lindsay and Olivia decided to visit Megan, who, according to them, was an incredibly fun and talented girl. Right before leaving, Olivia looked at me with a conspiratorial smile.
"Ellie, come with us. It'll be great for you to meet Megan. I'm sure you two will hit it off."
I wanted to accept, but just then I glanced at my phone resting on the table. The screen showed a nearly empty battery symbol, blinking insistently.
"I'm sorry, girls," I murmured, hastily putting my phone into my pocket. "My phone is about to die, and I don't want to lose contact. I need to go back to the residence to find the portable charger Olivia lent me yesterday."
Lindsay nodded understandingly.
"Of course, go ahead. We'll visit Megan first and then meet you at Frost Amphitheater."
Olivia made a dramatic hand gesture.
"Just don't take too long. The concert starts soon, and you know I hate missing important details."
I smiled at both of them, grateful for their understanding, and began making my way back to the residence. As I walked, I remembered how easy it was to get lost at Stanford. I had just arrived today and wasn't familiar with all the buildings and areas. But I trusted I'd find my way back; after all, the modern residence where we now lived was unmistakable.
When I arrived at our common room, I quickly searched for the portable charger Olivia had lent me. Fortunately, it was exactly where I left it when unpacking, next to my suitcase. I grabbed it with relief and plugged in my phone, watching as the small battery bar slowly filled.
While I waited, I realized something important: I didn't actually know where Frost Amphitheater was. My phone was still charging, but I didn't have enough power left to open the map. I bit my lip, a wave of anxiety hitting me. I didn't want to arrive late or cause any trouble for Lindsay and Olivia.
Finally, I decided to step outside and ask someone for directions. After all, Stanford was full of friendly students willing to help. I grabbed the charger and stepped back onto campus, deeply inhaling the fresh air. The leaves rustled softly in the breeze, and the lively buzz of students filled the atmosphere.
I stopped near a group of girls chatting animatedly by one of the campus entrances. One of them carried a notebook full of handwritten notes, which made me think she might know where the amphitheater was.
"Excuse me," I said timidly, approaching them. "Does anyone know where Frost Amphitheater is? I'm heading to the concert later, but I think I'm already lost."
One of the girls, blonde and wearing sunglasses, smiled kindly.
"Sure! It's right across campus, near the arts area. If you follow this path and cross the bridge past the library, you can follow Lake Lagunita—it'll lead you straight there."
I returned her smile, grateful for the help.
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."
I started walking in the direction they had pointed, feeling a bit more confident. Though I didn't yet know my way around campus well, I knew each step was bringing me closer to my friends—and to the new experiences waiting for me.