It was a quiet afternoon during recess.
Anna and Emily were sitting under their usual tree, sharing lunch and talking about random things.
"Exams were so stressful," Emily sighed dramatically.
Anna laughed softly. "You say that every time."
Just then, a girl from their class walked toward them. She looked a little nervous but determined.
"Hi… can I sit with you?" she asked politely.
Anna and Emily looked at each other.
"Of course," Emily smiled warmly. "We don't bite."
The girl laughed a little and sat down. "I'm Sophia. I usually sit with the other girls, but… I wanted to try talking to you both."
Anna nodded gently. "I'm Anna. And this is Emily."
Over the next few days, Sophia started sitting with them regularly. At first, the conversations were simple — homework, teachers, funny classroom moments.
But slowly, things changed.
They began sharing snacks.
Then secrets.
Then silly dreams about the future.
Emily would crack jokes. Sophia would laugh loudly. Anna would listen quietly but smile more than before.
Soon, the three of them were always seen together.
If one was absent, the other two felt incomplete.
Their friendship didn't happen suddenly.
It grew slowly.
Like trust.
Like comfort.
And Anna felt happy.