Jude:
Hey. What time do your classes end?

Vinny:
Like at 1:40

Jude:
Mine ends at 2, mind waiting for a bit? 😬

Vinny:
No prob, lmk when you're here

-

The time reads 1:50pm. Jude was fidgety. Head reasting on her hand and eyes fixated on the professor. It doesn't seem like class would end early like she was secretly hoping.

"I stopped paying attention 20 minutes ago." said Alex.

Jude tilted her head to look at her classmate. "Me too."

"Imma need to copy your notes later." Alex said while stretching their hands up in the air, the sound of their joints popping causing Jude to wince, her reaction triggering a small chuckle from the former.

"I didn't take any."

-

The professor finally excused her class. Students rise up immediately and the quiet room turned noisy with the rumblings of them talking and rushing out. After bidding a quick 'see you!' to her friend, Jude followed suit.

She got in her car fast, then driving to Vinny's faculty in an instant. Not seeing the boy the moment she arrived, she sent him a text.

Jude:
I'm here.

After a few seconds, her phone pinged.

Vinny:
actually, come up here to the cafeteria. there's someone i want u to meet 😁

The girl raised her eyebrows. This is the first time Vinny has ever introduced her to a friend, so she thought this person might've left quite the impression on him. Deciding it's probably a good thing for her to get to know Vinny's friends, she parked her car and walked into the unfamiliar building, soon finding the stairs leading up to the cafeteria.

In the midst of the bustling atmosphere, she quickly spotted a head of brown hair, definitely Vinny's, sitting next to an unfamiliar blonde. The brunette, noticing her just as quick, gave her a wave gesturing her over. And so Jude did, getting more and more curious about this mysterious person.

Once reaching the table, she greeted the two, receiving two echoing greetings back. She took a seat across from them, eyes looking onto the now apparent blonde, somewhat built guy, who is also looking at her with curiosity.

"Alright so. Jude, this is Ked," Vinny started, hands presenting Ked like an artwork. "and Ked, this is Jude." he finished with a sheepish smile.

The two strangers took initiatives at the same time to offer their hands, mentioning each their names at the same time.

Jude took a second to properly look at the boy before her. A mop of blonde hair and a cool charming smile, also a very noticeable silver earring on his left ear. She wondered how he'd fit into the dynamics of her and Vinny's friendship. But a quick glance at Vinny and seeing his eyes, full of hope, it worked out. Jude could immediately see that Ked would be a great addition to the team.

"So you guys are in the same class?" Jude asked.

"Yea yea, i approached him this morning because he was sulking in the corner." Ked smirked looking at the now embarrassed Vinny, receiving a strike on the arm from him. "I was not!"

"That's actually believable, Ked. He was practically jittering on his way here as well." Jude added to the tease, earning a scowl from Vinny that only made the other two break into a fit of laughter.

"Wow you guys, teaming up against me already. Not fucking cool." Vinny added in the midst of their laughter, although feeling relieved that his two pals are already getting along.

"Right, right, sorry," Jude cleared her throat. "But I told you you'll make friends in no time, and see, like always, I'm right." She proudly leans back on her chair, crossing her arms together.

"You guys come here together?" Ked asked.

"Yea, Jude drove me. We live in the same neighbourhood." answered Vinny, Jude nodded in agreement.

"That's cool! What do you study?" Ked asked, looking at Jude.

"Law. In my second year actually."

"Wow! Isn't law kinda far from here though?" Ked asked.

"She insisted in taking me, if that's what you're implying." Vinny added, sensing Ked would tease him again about him chauffeur-ing Jude around, earning a small laugh from her.

"Haha, I mean not really. Besides our houses are pretty close to each other's as well, it's really no bother." The truth is, no matter the distance, Jude is more than willing to take Vinny anywhere he wants. "Where do you live, Ked?"

"Oh, I'm renting an apartment actually. It's pretty close to campus, walkable enough. I'm not from around here, that's why." answered Ked.

"I see, you mind me asking why?" Jude shifted her chair closer ready to learn more.

"Not at all. It's nothing crazy, really, I just decided to go here and my parents really don't have a problem with it."

"Why choose french literature though? because Lily Rose-Depp?" Jude asked again, receiving a finger gun and a smirk from Vinny at the inside joke.

Though not understanding the reference, Ked answered, "My mom is French. I never really got in touch with the French side of me though, I can't even speak it properly." Shrugging his shoulders, he continued, "It's the same with my dad's side actually. He's part Vietnamese, and as interested as I am I never really got to learn about my other cultures."

"Dude what is it with interracial people yapping about their interracial-ness?"

"Vinny!" Jude exclaimed at the sudden remark but can't hold in a slight giggle. Vinny defended himself, putting his hands up saying anyone would agree. Ked took the joke well, being the first to actually let out a genuine laugh, the other two following suit.

In this moment, the three felt inside of each of their hearts, that they will get along just fine.

"We better go back you guys, i think other students want to take our spot. Ked, you need a ride?" offered Jude. The three rose up and started to walk out from the cafeteria.

"Don't mind if i do!" Vinny said, walking in the middle and putting his arms around the shoulders of the other two. Being the tallest of the group, it looked very natural. He was like a missing piece they never thought they missed.

The walk back to Jude's car, the way home dropping off the boys at their destinations, everything was filled with joy as friendships were made.

They really will get along just fine, won't they?