14 August 2025 @marinnewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2829: The Best Clique

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This is my post on #freewriters2829 #dailyprompt the best clique hosted by @marinnewest's. ​Emmanuel Etuk wasn't a king, but his cafeteria table was a throne. It was the best clique, not because they were the prettiest or the richest, but because they were the most vibrant. They called themselves "The Dreamers," and their unofficial leader was Emmanuel. ​He had a laugh that could break through the mundane hum of a Tuesday afternoon. It was a deep, rumbling sound that made everyone else want to join in. His genius wasn't in math problems or science experiments—though he was good at those, too. His genius was in connecting people. He’d notice that Sarah from the debate team looked a little down and would magically appear with a terrible joke and a shared bag of chips. He knew James, the quiet artist, needed a new sketchbook and would show up with a brand-new one he'd "found." ​The Dreamers were an eclectic mix. There was Maria, the fiery poet who could turn a homework assignment into a passionate ode. There was Ben, the computer whiz who could hack into the school's Wi-Fi just to play a prank. And there was Fatima, the athlete who was just as comfortable discussing philosophy as she was scoring a winning goal. What brought them together was Emmanuel, who saw the unique brilliance in each of them. He wasn't threatened by their talents; he celebrated them. ​One day, the school announced a talent show, and everyone was too nervous to sign up. Emmanuel saw the fear and, with a knowing grin, declared, "We're all in." He convinced Maria to read her poetry, Ben to create a visual light show to go with it, and Fatima to choreograph a dance. Emmanuel himself? He simply stood on stage with a microphone and told the story of how they all met, making everyone in the audience feel like they were part of The Dreamers, too. ​They didn't win the talent show, but they didn't need to. The applause, the shared glances, and the feeling that they had truly created something together was the real prize. The best clique wasn't about being exclusive; it was about being a family, and Emmanuel Etuk was the heart that made it all beat.