neville had never been very good at making friends, or talking without falling over his words, but he had been very good at making people feel WELCOME, in his opinion, and being kind. so when he saw the girl sitting alone, he didn’t let himself think maybe she’s just waiting for friends, and stepped forward doing the single least awkward thing he could think of and tapping her to get her attention. ‘ oh, no, sorry to bother you, i was just wondering if this seat was taken? ’
Rachel opened her mouth to say yes, but stopped herself in the very last second. only a few weeks ago it would have been taken. only a few weeks ago, the seat next to her would always contain the warm smile, tanned skin & nerdy glasses of one of the people who meant most to her in this world. ‘ you’re not bothering. ‘ but Aris was a world away, so the seat was indeed free. she smiled. that was how you greeted somebody, right? was it creepy? she had never needed any new friends until then, so her people skills had rusted over the years. ‘ no, no. its not. sit down if you want. ‘
