Chapter 81
Chapter 81 Adding Each Other’s Contacts.
“Zora, let’s swap contacts. I’ll send you the photo p>
Easton caught his phone in a fluster and then turned to look at Zora.
“Right, we still haven’t added each other yet p>
Hallie only just realized it after hearing Easton speak.
It was no surprise really-Zora barely touched her phone most of the day.
“Sure p>
Zora nodded gently, pulling her phone out of her small backpack.
Hallie and the others sent their contact requests one after another.
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“Zora, mine’s a Samoyed puppy for my profile pic! Accept me first, I’ll add you to our class chat, our group hang chat, the gossip thread, and a bunch of other random groups,” Easton said excitedly.
“I’ve got an alpaca as my picture,” Felix added.
Hallie sent her friend request right away. “I just sent you a request, don’t forget to accept me later, Zora p>
Maya took out her phone and stood quietly at the back, watching the three of them crowd around to add Zora’s contact.
She pressed her lips together nervously.
“Wanna add each other too, Maya p>
Zora held her phone out right in front of Maya.
Maya had been holding her phone, unsure how to bring it up. She looked up at Zora in surprise.
Zora gazed down at her, the corners of her pretty eyes soft and warm.
Since coming to Seacrest, this was the first time she’d ever had real friends of her own, and a quiet happiness settled in Zora’s heart.
Watching Maya standing quietly behind everyone, Zora thought she was really nice-just painfully shy. She wondered if Maya would want to connect with her.
“Y-yeah, sure p>
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Maya hadn’t expected Zora to notice her at all. Flustered, she unlocked her phone with her fingerprint and quickly pulled up the WhatsApp app.
She sent the request, her breath catching softly as she stared at Zora’s phone screen.
Zora glanced at the new pending request and smiled to herself. Typical of her bookish classmate.
Maya’s profile picture was an open book, giving off calm, quiet vibes.
Beneath it was a short line: Wander through peaks, waves, and all mortal ways.
Zora thought it sounded deep and sophisticated, even if she didn’t fully understand the meaning behind it.
“Your profile picture’s so cute, Zora-it totally matches you,” Hallie laughed softly as she stared at Zora’s icon.
Zora’s picture was a cartoon girl with chubby cheeks, resting her chin in one hand, big eyes filled with little symbols of money.
Zora smiled shyly at the compliment.
She’d picked it, hoping it would bring her good fortune with money.
She was so poor that she figured she should try to bring some luck her way.
She’d seen short videos online saying switching to this kind of icon could bring good luck with money, so she changed hers right away.
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It didn’t seem to do much practically, but it made her feel better just believing in it a little.
“Let’s go grab lunch, my treat,” Easton suggested.
“Zora, what would you like? Something spicy or light and mild p>
Hallie had no preference at all.
“What about you, Maya? What do you feel like eating?” Zora turned to ask Maya.
“I’m fine with anything.” Maya’s voice was soft and gentle.
“Let’s go for something local then,” Zora decided.
“Sounds good. I know a really amazing little spot,” Easton agreed at once.
“Don’t let the run-down look fool you-it tastes incredible. Whenever Felix and I have no clue what to eat at school, we head straight here. Even if you’ve got no appetite at all, you’ll still find
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Chapter 81 Adding Each Other’s Contacts
something you can enjoy here p>
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The group left Havenridge High, following Easton as he turned down one street then another, until they reached a narrow alley where a small rustic restaurant stood tucked away.
Easton led them inside, chatting as he showed them around.
“Can you see alright? Be careful walking, Maya p>
The alley was dimly lit. Zora glanced back at Maya, walking right behind her.
Maya’s bangs covered most of her eyes, and she wore glasses too-Zora worried she might struggle to see the path clearly.
“I’m okay p>
“If you need to, you can hold onto…” Zora trailed off halfway, letting the rest of the sentence fade when Maya said she was fine.
She focused on watching her own step and didn’t catch the flash of quiet disappointment that crossed Maya’s face.
Maya hugged her books tighter to her chest and hurried to keep up with Zora.
“Sarah, Joe!” Easton called out as they walked in.
The small restaurant was already packed with lunchtime guests.
It was only around 300 feet in size, yet it was impressive how they’d kept a steady business going right in the expensive heart of Seacrest.
“Hey Easton! Find yourselves a seat first, menus are on the table-order whatever you’d like,” a voice called out from the kitchen.
“Got it, thanks, Sarah.” Easton nodded and began looking for an empty table.
It was the busy lunch hour, and nearly every seat was taken. Eventually, Easton led the others to a quiet spot by the window-a table Sarah always saved specially for him and Felix.
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Sew menesss New Family Adored by All