Ms. Hendrix sat across from Thomas in her office, a soft breeze from the window rustling the papers on her desk. She gave him a warm, curious smile, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

  Ms. Hendrix: “So, tell me—how’s the first week of school treating you?”

  Thomas hesitated, then looked down at his hands, fingers lightly tapping his knee. “I ran into Melinda.”

  Ms. Hendrix: “Oh? And how did that go?”

  He gave a half-shrug. “It was Monday during lunch. I was heading to the cafeteria, just coming out of class, and there she was—with her best friend. We kind of bumped into each other.”

  She raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. “Was she surprised to see you? I nearly did a double take myself when I saw you in your new clothes.”

  Thomas let out a small laugh. “You can thank—or blame—Mr. Mickelson for that. I didn’t pick out a single outfit myself. But his guide for how to put everything together? Actually kind of helpful. Same for the dining kit, the casual dress guide… I’ve got a feeling his lessons aren’t done with me yet.”

  Ms. Hendrix smiled. “So how did you react to seeing Melinda?”

  Thomas’s brow furrowed. “That’s the weird part. I was just trying to say hello when suddenly Veronica was right there. It was like she appeared out of the crowd. She asked who Melinda was—if we’d ever dated. Melinda said no, and then Veronica just… grabbed my arm. Said she had friends she wanted me to meet.”

  Ms. Hendrix: “Did you think Veronica was upset?”

  He blinked, thoughtful. “At first I wasn’t sure. It felt like things could’ve gotten tense, so I just went with her. She took me to a table where her friends were sitting.”

  She gave him a knowing look. “Do you think she likes you?”

  He exhaled, leaning back. “I don’t know. Back in eighth grade, there was a girl who kept trying to get me to talk to her friend in seventh. I didn’t realize until the end of the year that she was the one who liked me. By then we were moving. So… maybe? Me and Shoshana, we could talk. We really got along. But I never thought I’d see her again—let alone Veronica.”

  Ms. Hendrix: “Does it surprise you—this whole thing?”

  Thomas nodded slowly. “Yeah. I was surprised to see Veronica again. And then being introduced to her friends at lunch… I didn’t expect that.”

  She leaned forward, interested. “So how was the introduction? Give me details.”

  He smiled slightly. “That’s the odd part. Veronica just said, ‘These are our friends.’ Jonathan—he was at the center, the one where I got my suit. I recognized a few of the others too. We did quick intros, talked a little while we ate. And then, when I got up to find my next class, Jonathan said, ‘You always have a seat with us.’”

  Ms. Hendrix: “And how did that make you feel?”

  Thomas took a long pause before answering. “I’m still figuring that out. I don’t think I’ve had a group to sit with since seventh grade. And even then, I split my lunch time between them and the library. It feels good… to be included. But part of me still expects it to end.”

  Ms. Hendrix watched him quietly for a moment. “How are things going with the family you’re staying with?”

  He hesitated. “I finally got the death benefit. It’s helping. At least it covers what Dad had promised to send before he went out of town. The tension’s still there, but I’m grateful. I mean, I have a place to stay. He tries. But I don’t think he really knows what to do with me.”

  There was silence for a moment, soft and not unfriendly.

  Ms. Hendrix: “You know,” she said gently, “I got an invitation to the dinner this weekend.”

  His eyes widened slightly. “I didn’t know that. Are you going?”

  Ms. Hendrix: “I wanted to ask you first. Others here are impressed you’ve been nominated. But I want to be sure you’d be comfortable if I attended.”

  Thomas gave a small, grateful nod. “If it’s no trouble for you… I’d be glad.”

  Ms. Hendrix: “Then I guess I’ll see you Saturday night.”

  She smiled, and for the first time in the conversation, Thomas smiled back with something more certain behind it—just a flicker of belonging.

  Would you like to follow this with the dinner event itself, or perhaps a quiet conversation between Thomas and someone that evening?