With my heart pounding wildly, I grip my tray and stride confidently across the cafeteria. Each step feels like an eternity, but I refuse to let fear hold me back. As I approach Charlie, I notice his infectious laughter, and it sparks a sense of determination within me. “Hey, I’m Josie,” I say, forcing a bright smile as I reach the edge of the table. Charlie turns to me, his expression shifting from surprise to curiosity. “Nice to meet you!” he replies, his eyes lighting up. “We were just talking about the science project. Do you have any ideas?” The conversation flows a bit easier than I expected, and we end up laughing over a science pun. But just as I feel the tension easing, Mia walks by and catches my eye. I can’t tell whether she looks annoyed or surprised. Now I have a choice to make: Should I invite Mia over to join us, or keep Charlie to myself for a little longer to deepen our connection?