New Hope

Episode 3: New Hope.

After the fight, Zoe calmed down Leon and asked him to forget about that incident.

Leon followed Zoe into the bustling restaurant, his anxiety spiking as he realized he would have to navigate yet another social situation. The savory aroma of various dishes hit him, distracting him from his nervousness. Zoe led the way, her confident contrast to Leon’s hesitant steps.

As they entered, a group of teenagers waved them over. "Zoe is that your friends? " Leon asked in. They looked up from their meals, curious eyes focusing on Leon. "Zoe here. Come on." Ethan said and everyone asked them to join. Leon gave a reassuring smile and nudged him toward the table.

“Hey, guys!” Zoe greeted her friends. “This is Leon. He just transferred to our school.”

Leon offered a small wave, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. The group welcomed him with friendly smiles and nods, and one of them, a girl with curly hair Emily and a wide grin, motioned them to join.

“Come on, sit with us!” she said. “We were just about to order food. You guys came in the right time!”

Zoe hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Leon. “Is it ok with you? ”

Leon nodded, not trusting his voice. He was already feeling out of his depth, but Zoe’s presence gave him a small measure of comfort. They approached the table, and Leon noticed there wasn’t much space left. They would have to sit side by side.

As they squeezed into the bench, Leon could feel the warmth of Zoe’s arm brushing against his. He tried to focus on the menu, but his mind was full of nerves and excitement. The group chatted, and Zoe’s friends were quick to include Leon in the conversation, asking about his previous school and his interests. Leon found himself relaxing, his initial apprehension easing away.

When the dishes arrived, a delicious spread of various cuisines, the group eagerly dug in. Leon, still a bit shy, followed, reaching for a particularly tempting dish at the same time as Zoe. Their spoons clinked together, and they both pulled back, startled. Zoe laughed, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink, and Leon couldn’t help but smile back, feeling a flutter in his chest.

“Sorry about that,” Zoe said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“No, it’s fine,” Leon replied, his own face flushing. They both reached out again, more carefully this time, their hands brushing against each other. The brief contact sent a jolt through Leon, and he saw Zoe’s eyes widen slightly before she quickly looked away.

The meal continued, and Leon found himself laughing more than he had in a long time. Zoe’s friends were easy to talk to, their energy infectious. He discovered that he shared common interests with some of them, from music to movies, and Zoe made sure to include him in every conversation.

At one point, Zoe leaned in close, her shoulder pressing against his. “See? It’s not so bad,” she whispered, her breath warm against his ear.

Leon nodded, unable to suppress a grin. “Yeah, it’s not bad at all.”

As they finished their meal, Leon realized that for the first time since he’d transferred, he felt like he belonged. Zoe had opened a door for him, and her friends had welcomed him without hesitation. He glanced at Zoe, who was laughing at something one of her friends had said, and felt a swell of gratitude.

The lunch ended with promises to hang out again, and as they all stood to leave, Zoe slipped her arm through Leon’s. “Come on,” she said, her smile genuine and warm. “Let’s get you home.”

Zoe’s friends interrupted. "We will also come with you guys! We just finished the lunch."

Zoe said to join in. They started to walk after paying for the food.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Leon felt a lightness in his step. He looked forward to what tomorrow might bring, knowing that with Zoe by his side, he could face anything.

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