Chapter 14 - KAIA RETURNED TO THE CAFETERIAFor several weeks, Kaia ate outside.
Not because she feared the cafeteria exactly.
She hated being watched.
Every tray made someone glance at her.
Every laugh felt connected.
Then one Tuesday, Jonah found her sitting near the courtyard.
“Are you avoiding lunch?”
“No.”
He looked at her sandwich.
“You’re literally outside.”
Fair.
He sat.
Then Ana joined.
Then Harper.
Not a victim club.
Kaia hated that framing.
They mostly talked about movies.
Homework.
Terrible chemistry teacher.
Eventually, they went back inside together.
The cafeteria looked exactly the same.
Tables.
Noise.
Mystery meat.
No inspirational music.
Kaia bought lunch.
The cafeteria worker asked:
“Mashed potatoes?”
Kaia stared.
The worker realized.
“Oh.”
Kaia laughed.
“Yes.”
She took them.
Sat down.
A month later someone accidentally bumped her tray.
Peas fell onto her sleeve.
The student froze.
“I’m so sorry.”
Kaia looked at the peas.
Then laughed.
“Relax.”
May you like
Accidents happen.
That was how she knew the room belonged to ordinary life again.
