sweetbitter; remixed — dante & arcadia {jb}

The revolving door that is the Justice Building entrance has not had a workout this intense in the history of ever, I’m sure of it.

The constant stream of people coming to wish me well is heart-warming, to say the least. Seeing so many friends and family members in one place is so sweet, I’ve already teared up multiple times. But no crying today – this is a happy moment! As I’ve said multiple times already, I’ll be back to party with them again in no time!

I take the brief moments of solitude in between visitors to sip the sparkling water that’s been set out on the table beside me, trying to keep the tickle in my throat at bay. One minute I’m alone again, and the next I’m spinning around ready to greet another guest.

Except I’m not alone.

She’s so quiet that I didn’t even hear her enter – didn’t even realise I had company until I’m setting my glass down and choking on the water in my mouth at my surprise. I splutter as the liquid goes down the wrong way, eyes watering in discomfort.

I’d like to say I never forget a face or name, but no matter how intently I study the girl in front of me, I can’t place her. She’s familiar, sure – has a cute smile that itches some part of my subconscious mind for long enough to know we’ve crossed paths before. But she seems… frightened? Apprehensive? Uncertain? All of the above? She obviously knows me – why else would she be here? – and the longer the silence stretches on, the more uncomfortable she appears to become.

And obviously I don’t want her to know I don’t remember her name. Like, how embarrassing that would be for her, the poor thing. I’ve gotta be delicate.

I cross my fingers behind my back, hoping that she’s just a girl from school and not a drunken one-night stand.

“Hey girl, what’s up?! You good? You’re in my chemistry class, right?”