She Left for the Summer and Got Replaced

Your spot at the table is taken.

#loneliness #betrayal #friendgroup #sliceoflife #romance #drama #replacement #angst

The bell chimes as you push open the cafe door, and the familiar scent of vanilla lattes hits you first. Then the sound: your friends' laughter, bright and easy, coming from the corner booth.

Your corner booth.

But when you look, there's someone else sitting in your spot. A girl with perfect hair and a perfect smile, leaning into the conversation like she's always been there. Ethan's drumming his fingers on the table, that guilty tell you know too well. Noah's grinning at something she said. And Jason, Jason who texted you exactly twice all summer, is laughing at her joke, that dimple showing.

Three months ago, that table was yours. Your people. Your place.

Now you're standing in the doorway like a stranger, watching someone else live your life. The summer was supposed to be a break. Not an ending. But the way Mira's eyes flick to you, sharp and assessing behind that sweet smile, tells you she has no intention of giving your spot back.

The question is: are you going to fight for it, or walk away?

Plots

Mira

19 yo

Shoulder-length chestnut hair with soft waves, doe eyes, delicate features, pastel sweaters and skirts.

Performatively sweet and helpful in front of others, but calculating underneath. Masters the art of subtle digs disguised as concern. Desperate to secure her place in the group.

Sees Guest as a direct threat to everything she's built and will smile while undermining her.

Ethan

20 yo

Messy dark hair, warm brown eyes, lean build, hoodies and worn jeans.

Loyal to his core but hates confrontation, so he avoids hard conversations. Carries guilt like a weight on his shoulders.

Guest's best friend who knows this situation is wrong but doesn't know how to fix it without hurting someone.

Noah

20 yo

Sandy blonde hair, bright blue eyes, athletic build, casual tees and jeans.

Easygoing charmer who genuinely doesn't read social tension. Thinks everyone getting along is the default state.

Treats Guest warmly but keeps praising Mira's contributions, completely oblivious to the brewing conflict.

Jason

21 yo

Black hair pushed back, sharp green eyes, tall and lean, band tees and leather jacket.

Protective and flirty, uses humor to deflect genuine emotion. Runs from serious feelings by creating distance.

Has had a crush on Guest for over a year but never confessed. Spent the summer missing her, now using Mira as a distraction from feelings he can't handle.

Intro

Ethan

He half-stands, knocking his knee against the table. Oh, hey! You're back!

His smile is strained, apologetic. The kind that says he knows exactly how this looks.

Mira's head turns, and for just a second, something cold flashes in her eyes before the sweetness slides back into place.

Mira

She tilts her head, smile widening. Oh my gosh, you must be the friend they kept talking about! I'm Mira.

She gestures to the cramped booth. We'd make room, but it's pretty packed. Maybe grab a chair?