After the change, we went to the cafeteria for lunch, where once again, we had to move around to thank most of the groups. At some point, managing to break free, I returned to Beith and Gerard, but they weren't alone. Clara was sitting on Beith's shoulder, and at the table, there were three more of her friends. She had her usual blonde ponytails on my friend's back, and then I remembered this new reality. Clara and Beith were dating. I approached the table, and everyone turned towards me.

- "Hello, Dave!" Clara exclaimed happily. "Come, let me introduce you to the girls," she said and began to introduce her three friends sitting with us.

After she told me the names of the first two girls, she prepared to introduce the last one. She was a brunette with delicate features and a beautiful face.

- "And this is Nicole," she said with enthusiasm in her voice, pointing at her. "She's a year older, but I think you two will get along very well. Come, sit next to her."

She looked at me with her intense brown eyes and smiled. I returned the smile and sat next to her. We all chatted for a while until lunch ended, and we had to return to our classes.

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As I went to get my books, I noticed Gerard quickly coming up behind me.

- "You know your class isn't in this direction..."

- "Yes, that's why I need to tell you quickly," he interrupted and came next to me.

- "What's up?"

- "Clara is taking advantage of Beith."

- "Oh, don't start with your conspiracies again," I sighed and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Why do others always have to want something from us? Think positively for once."

- "And when Jade talked to you during the tryouts, did he have good intentions?"

- "Not everyone is the same," I said, trying to convince myself. "Everything will be fine, and no one will take advantage of us."

- "She'll suggest a double date with Beith, you with Nicole. They want to exploit you. Listen to me and do what I did."

- "Don't do that, Gerard. Maybe everything is not as bad as you imagine. Give others a chance."

- "You both are so naive. Do whatever you want," he said and left angrily towards his class.

For the rest of the class, I thought about what he had said. Indeed, Nicole and Clara had a motive for me to be with one of them. But what would they achieve? Gerard's conspiracies always claimed that the other person wanted something, but he never told us specifically. I concluded that it was foolish to think about it and that he just continued to think negatively.

Indeed, during the next hour, Clara suggested that I go out with them, and I eventually accepted. We planned to go to the center for dinner that night.