Lizzie turned around to see Luke making his way toward their table, carrying his tray. She turned back around with a look of panic on her face.
“Is this seat taken?” she heard him ask.
Taking a deep breath, she looked at him and smiled.
“Nope! Go ahead and sit down,” she told him.
He set his tray down, then sat down next to her. Elle looked back and forth between them, looking like a deer in the headlights.
“Hey, Elle,” he said, nodding at her.
“Hey,” she managed to get out in a squeak.
Then she cleared her throat and asked, “How’s your day been?”
“It’s been going good so far,” he told her.
Then, looking at Lizzie, he added, “I’m hoping it’s going to get better soon, though.”
Lizzie choked on her juice, grabbing a napkin to spit it into. Elle stood up from her chai
