“My name’s Esme Godfrey, but you can just call me Esme.” Her eyes were clear and direct; everything about her exuded confidence and warmth. Alessia could tell she was the type who’d grown up well–loved, someone who’d always had her family’s protection.

“Nice to meet you, Alessia.” Esme turned her attention to the other two girls in the

room.

“H–hi, I’m Joyce Danton.” Alessia recognized her instantly–her new roommate, the one who’d seemed nervous about whether they’d get along. Joyce wore her brown hair in a ponytail, thick ck sses perched on her nose, shoulders hunched as if she were trying to disappear. Her clothes were a little worn but spotlessly clean.

“Mia Linden.” Thest girl’s introduction was as breezy as her look: wild curls, a crimson dress that suited her bold energy.

“Have you had dinner yet?” Esme asked, her tone casual.

“Yeah, I have.” Alessia sat at her desk, adjusting a few bottles and jars she hadn’t managed to organize earlier.

“Are you from out of town?” Esme asked.

“No, I’m local.”

“Local? Howe you got here so early, then?”

“Fewer people around in the morning,” Alessia replied.

Esme nodded. When they’d arrived around ten or eleven, they hadn’t even dropped off their bags before heading to registration. The lines had already stretched down the hall; rumor had it, things only got busier as the day went on.

“We were thinking about having dinner together tonight, you know, to get to know each other–since we’ll be roommates for the next four years. What do you think?”

Alessia looked around at the group. Joyce was clearly anxious, watching her for any sign of approval. Mia was picking at her food, acting as if she didn’t care about the conversation at all.

“Sure. Have you picked a ce?”

“Not yet. We’re still debating–maybe that fondue ce across the street, or somewhere else. You’re local–got any rmendations?”

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“I haven’t actually been to those two, but there’s a ce nearby called The iIvy /iTerrace. It’s pretty good.”

“The Ivy Terrace?” Esme’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Mia let out a quietugh, thinking, *Of course, she’d suggest the fanciest ce in town. Little Miss Moneybags.*

“What’s wrong with that?” Alessia nced at Mia, and for a split second, the tension thickened. Sensing the impending standoff, Joyce rushed to break the ice.

“I, um… I don’t think I can really afford somece like that…”

“Exactly! That’s the kind of ce you need a reservation just to get in. Even if we somehow made it inside, I couldn’t even afford a cup of tea there!” Esme’s exaggerated tone, paired with Mia’s teasing, lightened the mood.

“I’m sorry, I should have been clearer. What I meant is–if you don’t mind, dinner’s on me,” Alessia said calmly, without a hint of arrogance. It was as if she’d just offered to pay for a cheap meal at the campus café.

“You’re treating us? Even the tea there costs a small fortune!”

Esme wasn’t the only one stunned; Mia and Joyce stared in shock.

This wasn’t just a spoiled rich girl–she was practically an angel, here to save them from their student–budget misery. Who in their right mind would turn down a free meal, especially at The Ivy Terrace?

“Are you serious?” Mia paused mid–bite, her takeout forgotten.

Alessia nodded. The truth was, she’d invested in that restaurant on a whim ages ago. She never expected it to be one of the city’s hot spots, but now all her

friends knew about it.

That evening, the four of them set out together. The restaurant was just a short walk from campus, but as they approached the gleaming ss fa?ade, it was impossible not to feel out of ce among the parade of luxury cars and the sharply dressed business icrowd/i.

Mia seemed unfazed, but Esme and Joyce were visibly nervous, trailing behind with apprehension etched on their faces.

“Are you sure this is okay?” Joyce whispered to Esme as they reached the entrance. “I have ino /iidea,” Esme replied, squeezing Joyce’s mmy hand as they stared up at the glittering lights of the restaurant, palms sweating with nerves.

i212 /i

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