Three days later, though, Sophie showed up uninvited, taking a cab straight to my apartment building and physically dragging me out.
"Come on, Maria, just go! The more the merrier."
"It's been years since any of us have seen each other. When are you going to get another chance like this?"
She shoved me into the car before I could even protest. I had no room to refuse, so I gritted my teeth and went.
The reunion was packed. Loud. Everyone was in high spirits.
They were playing truth or dare.
I sat in the corner.
I watched as the crowd pushed Alfred and Maud together, cheering and whistling.
"You know, back in the day, these two were Cloudvale University's golden couple. And now, after all these years, here they are again—both single, right?"
The guy speaking shot knowing glances around the room, clearly angling to play matchmaker.
I lifted my gaze and watched Alfred quietly. He glanced at me, just once, his expression flat. Then he looked away.
"Cut it out."
Alfred held his glass up. "Whatever the punishment is, I'll down three drinks instead."
He raised the glass to his lips, but someone next to him grabbed his arm.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa—no way. Just drinking? Where's the fun in that?"