Page 6 of Only You

It was George who spoke this time. As they stood up, Ana noted George was at least a head taller than Millie, which put her at around the same height as Ana.

Ana wanted to say no. She needed to get to the library and search the job pages for part-time work. She knew, however, she also needed to dedicate some time to her new partners. Her brain was awash with ideas, and she wanted, no, needed, to be part of their initial project discussions. Otherwise, she’d have to go along with whatever they decided.

“Sure,” she said, grabbing her bag.

They made their way to the cafeteria in silence. Ana looked around. She had only been in there once before. It was bigger and busier than she remembered it. Millie and George waved to several students as they passed before grabbing them a table at the back.

“This should be quiet enough for us to chat,” Millie said, dropping her bag onto a spare seat.

Ana pulled out a chair and sat down, grabbing her notebook. Looking around her, she realised how nice the cafe was. It gave off a friendly, warm vibe. She was older than the other students on their course. At twenty-two, she had a different life than those she was studying with. When not in class, she hung out in the library instead. She thought she looked a little sad sitting alone at a table in the cafeteria, and the library was a good cover.

“What can I get you?” Millie chirped up.

“Oh, nothing. I’m fine, thank you.” Ana had already blown that day’s food budget, so she didn’t need to add another drink to it. If she spent her money on anything, she needed to go to the bargain aisle at the supermarket later.

“Ok, no problem.”

Millie bounced off.

Ana watched her leave.

The girl was far too chirpy.

George dropped herself down into the chair opposite Ana and leaned back. Ana dragged her attention away from Millie and focused on the quieter one of the two.

“Don’t mind Millie, she’s a force to be reckoned with, but her heart is in the right place,” George said.

Ana realised those two must be close. Their friendship clearly predates the degree course they were all attending.

George smiled.

“She may only be five-foot-two, but she’s like an excited toddler. Confident with boundless energy and a kind and generous soul. Don’t worry. You’ll get used to her.”

Ana found herself smiling back.

“She appears to be.”

Ana wasn’t so sure she’deverget used to Millie, but then they only had to complete this project together, and then they would go their separate ways.

Ana and George fell into a comfortable silence until Millie returned. Millie had ignored Ana’s request for nothing and had got her a mocha. “I smelt mocha this morning when you were drinking,” she explained.

Ana stifled a groan. This was why she stayed away from people. Now she would need to buy her a drink. Taking a deep breath, Ana centred herself. That was okay. She could do it.

“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll get the next one.”

Millie smiled. “It’s on me,” she said. “I hate to drink alone,” she said, as if sensing Ana’s unease.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll get the next one.”

George laughed. “No, you probably won’t, Ana. Millie’s parents are wealthy, and she struggles to spend her allowance. She feeds half the homeless around campus. Just accept her drink. It will make life a lot more peaceful.”

Millie smacked George on the arm.

“I’m not that bad,” she said, her forehead wrinkling.

George raised her eyebrows and stared at her friend. “Er, yes, you are.”

The banter continued, and Ana felt herself relaxing more and more in their company. She found out she’d been right in her assumption. They’d been friends for years. Both came from wealthy backgrounds, although they’d brushed it off. Ana understood as she had come from a privileged background herself, but that was in her past. The more she listened, the more Ana envied their closeness. It was not something she had ever experienced, even at boarding school. Ana had always watched from the sidelines.

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