Ellie Miller's POV
The walk to Frost Amphitheater felt longer than I had expected, but when I finally arrived, I spotted Lindsay, Olivia, Sack, and another girl who I assumed was Megan. They were gathered near one of the amphitheater's entrances, chatting animatedly while waiting for the concert to begin. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool campus breeze brush against my face, and slowly approached the group.
"Ellie!" Olivia exclaimed as soon as she saw me, raising her arm to greet me with her usual enthusiasm. "I thought you'd gotten lost. This campus is huge, and I know exactly how easy it is to get turned around during your first few days. Trust me, I was a mess last year!"
Sack let out a mocking laugh before I could respond.
"That's putting it lightly," he said, crossing his arms with a mischievous smile. "When we met Olivia, she had a map upside down and was completely lost. We practically had to guide her everywhere. In fact, the first time we saw her, she was lost in the library."
Lindsay nodded, barely holding back a small laugh.
"That's true. But, to be fair, I think that was part of her initial charm. Olivia has always been… unique."
Olivia pouted, pretending to be offended.
"Oh, please. That was because Stanford has terrible directional signs. Besides, I was distracted thinking about all the amazing things I'd do here. It's not my fault this place is like a giant maze."
Megan, who had been watching curiously until now, joined the conversation with a warm smile.
"It sounds like you've had your own memorable moments, Olivia. It's great to see how you all support each other. By the way, I'm Megan. Nice to meet you, Ellie. I've heard a lot about you."
I returned her smile, feeling a little shy being officially introduced.
"Thank you, likewise. It's a pleasure to meet you too, Megan."
The conversation flowed naturally after that. Megan shared that she was studying Political Science, while I mentioned my interest in Biomedical Engineering.
"Biomedical Engineering, huh?" Megan said, clearly impressed. "That sounds fascinating. I imagine it must be exciting to work on something so innovative and full of possibilities."
I nodded, though I couldn't help feeling slightly overwhelmed by the compliment.
"Well, I'm still learning. But yes, I love the idea of contributing to improving people's quality of life through technology."
Olivia, ever the attention-seeker, used the moment to change the subject.
"Speaking of emotions and experiences, we should bring back our improvised band this year. Now that Ellie's here, we'd have four members. It would be epic."
Sack shook his head immediately, crossing his arms.
"No way. Last time we almost got kicked off campus for making too much noise. It was a miracle we lasted only one day."
Lindsay supported him with a calm smile.
"Sack's right. Besides, I think we already had enough fun with that experience. No need to repeat it."
Feeling even more shy, I added my opinion.
"I don't think I'd have the courage to perform in front of so many people. Singing in public isn't exactly my strong suit."
Olivia dramatically sighed, placing a hand over her chest as if deeply affected.
"What a disappointment! But don't worry, Ellie. Chances are, at some point this year I'll find a way to convince you all. After all, I'm an expert at making the impossible happen."
Megan chuckled slightly, joining the conversation.
"If you try, count me in for support. I'm not great at singing either, but it would be fun watching Olivia attempt to organize something like that."
We all laughed, and for a moment, I truly felt like I belonged to this group. It was strange to think that just months ago, I had felt completely alone, with no one to share my thoughts or emotions with. But now, here I was, surrounded by friends who made me feel accepted exactly as I was.
The concert began shortly after, and music filled the air. It was a relaxing melody, a familiar song that seemed to echo through every corner of the amphitheater. The band started with Holocene by Bon Iver, and the soft opening notes of the acoustic guitar wrapped around the space like a warm embrace. The musicians' voices rose gently, accompanied by minimalist piano chords that seemed to capture the essence of the sunset.
Some lyrics floated through the air, full of melancholy and beauty:
"At once, I knew I was not magnificent…"
"And at once, I knew the water was warm…"
It was impossible not to feel transported by the intimate atmosphere created by the song. I watched as some students closed their eyes, letting themselves be carried away by the music, while others simply enjoyed the moment in silence. Even Megan seemed absorbed in the lyrics, softly mouthing the words.
But then, the band completely shifted tones. They launched into a livelier version of Vance Joy's Riptide , and the atmosphere instantly transformed. The catchy ukulele chords made Olivia and Megan jump up excitedly, belting out the lyrics at the top of their lungs.
Olivia, ever the extrovert, led the impromptu karaoke session:
"I was scared of dentists and the dark…"
"I was scared of pretty girls and starting conversations!"
Megan followed closely behind, laughing between verses while trying to keep up with the rhythm. Both moved with the beat, clearly enjoying the moment without a care in the world.
Lindsay and Sack, instead, stayed beside me, watching the scene unfold with a quiet smile.
"Ellie, you should join them," Lindsay suggested, pointing toward where Olivia and Megan were dancing freely.
I shook my head, though I couldn't help but laugh at them.
"I think I'd rather stay here and enjoy the show from afar."
Still, my gaze drifted toward the crowd. In a distant corner, under a tree, I saw Sebastian. He was sitting alone, watching the band play with a thoughtful expression. There was something about his posture that reminded me of how I used to feel before meeting Lindsay, Olivia, and Sack. He looked out of place, as if he didn't really belong to this vibrant, energetic world.
A pang of empathy hit me. I knew what it meant to feel invisible, isolated—even in the middle of a crowd. And although I barely knew him, I wanted to do something to change that, even if it was just a small gesture.
I turned to Lindsay, who was still leaning into Sack beside me.
"I'll be right back," I whispered, subtly pointing in Sebastian's direction. "I want to go do something."
Lindsay nodded, giving me a knowing smile.
"Of course, go ahead. We'll be right here."
Before leaving, I gave one last look at Olivia and Megan, who were still singing and laughing hysterically. I couldn't help but smile seeing them so happy. Then, I began walking toward Sebastian, feeling my heart beat a little faster with each step.
I knew this might change something between us, though I wasn't sure exactly what. But for some reason, I felt like it was important.