The Group Selfie

The rain continued to fall outside Lastheimo, but inside the café, the long wooden table had become a place filled with laughter.

What started as a simple escape from the storm had turned into something unexpected.

Ten strangers.

Ten different stories.

One table.

Shantalle looked around while sipping her drink, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I have an idea."

Everyone looked at her.

Whenever Shantalle said those words, it usually meant something interesting was about to happen.

"What idea?" Yhonna asked curiously.

Shantalle suddenly grabbed her camera from around her neck.

"We need a picture."

"A picture?" Dzythien repeated.

"Yes!" she answered immediately. "A group picture."

Kien leaned back in his chair.

"Why? We just met today."

"Exactly!" Shantalle said. "That's why we need one."

She pointed her camera toward the group.

"One day, we'll look back at this and remember the first time we met."

Some of them smiled.

Some looked unsure.

Ryle laughed softly.

"You really think we'll still remember this day?"

Shantalle looked at him seriously.

"Yes."

Her confidence made everyone pause.

"Because sometimes," she continued, "the smallest moments become the biggest memories."

For a moment, no one joked.

Even Callie looked at her with admiration.

Shantalle wasn't just taking a photo.

She was saving a moment.

A moment none of them knew would become one of the most important memories of their lives.

"Come on!" Shantalle said, standing up. "Everyone, move closer."

"Do we really have to?" Calvin asked.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

Calvin sighed.

"That's not a good reason."

"But it's the correct reason."

Everyone laughed.

They slowly moved closer together.

Rein pulled Yhonna beside her.

Xuí sat quietly between Callie and Calvin.

Prince placed an arm around Kien's shoulder, even though Kien complained.

"Hey! Don't make me look shorter."

"You are shorter."

"I'm still growing!"

Ryle stood behind Callie, smiling at how naturally everyone was getting along.

Dzythien sat across from her, quietly watching.

He didn't understand why...

but seeing Callie smile made something inside him feel different.

"Okay!" Shantalle raised her camera.

"Everyone smile!"

"Wait," Kien said. "I need a better angle."

"You have five seconds."

"That's not enough time!"

"Three..."

"Shantalle!"

"Two..."

"Fine!"

"One!"

Click.

The camera captured the moment.

A rainy afternoon.

A warm coffee shop.

Ten strangers sitting together.

Ten smiles that were completely genuine.

After taking the photo, Shantalle checked the screen.

She smiled.

"This is perfect."

Callie looked at the picture.

Everyone looked different.

They came from different backgrounds.

Different countries.

Different dreams.

But somehow...

they looked like they belonged together.

"Send it to everyone," Ryle said.

"Of course."

Shantalle created a group chat immediately.

She named it:

Lastheimo Memories

Kien laughed.

"That's such a dramatic name."

"You'll thank me later."

"Later?"

Shantalle nodded confidently.

"Trust me."

Callie saved the photo on her phone.

She didn't know why, but she felt strangely happy.

Maybe it was because she had found people who made her feel comfortable.

Maybe it was because, after a long time, she felt like she belonged somewhere.

Outside, the rain slowly began to disappear.

The sky became brighter.

And inside Lastheimo...

a friendship had officially begun.

None of them knew that this photo would one day become their most treasured memory.

A reminder of the day they met.

The day before everything changed.

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