BuzzNovel“My name's EGodfrey, but you can just callEsme.” 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.” Eturned 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 black glasses perched on her
nose, shoulders hunched as if she were trying to disappear. Her clothes were a little worn but spotlessly clean.
“Mia Linden.” The last girl's introduction was as breezy as her look: wild curls, a crimson dress that suited her
bold energy.
“Have you had dinner yet?” Easked, her tone casual.
“Yeah, | 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?” Easked.
“No, I'm local.”
“Local? How cyou got here so early, then?”
“Fewer people around in the morning,” Alessia replied.
Enodded. 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.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“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 place?”
“Not yet. We're still debating-maybe that fondue place across the street, or somewhere else. You're local-got
any recommendations?”
1/2
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Chapter 288
“I haven't actually been to those two, but there's a place nearby called The Ivy Terrace. It’s pretty good.”
“The Ivy Terrace?” Esme’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Mia let out a quiet laugh, thinking, *Of course, she’d suggest the fanciest place in town. Little Miss Moneybags.*
“What's wrong with that?” Alessia glanced at Mia, and for a split second, the tension thickened. Sensing the
impending standoff, Joyce rushed to break the ice.
“I, um... | don’t think I can really afford someplace like that...”
“Exactly! That's the kind of place you need a reservation just to get in. Even if we somehow made it inside, |
couldn't even afford a cup of tea there!” Esme’s exaggerated tone, paired with Mia’s teasing, lightened the
mood.
“I'm sorry, | should have been clearer. What | 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!”
Ewasn’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 fréfatheir
SHR bet 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
becone 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 ys Ow as)
ent ppioactied th gleaming glass
facade, it was impossible not to feel
out of place among the parade of
luxury cars and the sharply dressed
business crowd. The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Mia seemed unfazed, but Eand Joyce were visibly nervous, trailing behind with apprehension etched on their
faces.
“Are you sure this is okay?" Joyce
whispered to Eas they reached
the entrance. ‘I have o)dea, Ee
’ re )
replied, balidezing Joyce's clammy
hand as they stared up at the
glittering lights of the restaurant,
palms sweating with nerves. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
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09.36
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