It all started on a regular Monday morning. Eleni had been walking to her locker with her best friends, Daisy—who was basically a walking sunshine cloud with her short, curly halo—and Lilith, the quiet strategist with sharp eyeliner and sharper comebacks.
"Did you guys see Alex looking at you during chem?" Daisy whispered, her eyes wide.
Lilith snorted. "He looked like he wanted to say hi. I almost felt bad for him."
Eleni sighed. "He did say hi."
Daisy choked on her protein bar. "WHAT."
"I said hi back," Eleni added. "Then Lorenzo appeared out of nowhere and asked if I'd seen his AirPods. And when I said no, suddenly Matteo's calling and asking if I wanted him to drop off lunch. I said no again. Then Enzo texted me 'Have you eaten? I'll come get you.' During class."
Lilith blinked. "So... they've activated the Costa Protocol."