"So, Vina tell us about yourself," Evie said, gesturing to me after the table had taken a few shots. We were reaching the stage of giggling drunk, where everyone got a little stupid and started acting like we'd all been best friends for years.

What I'd gathered was that Evie and her friends had met a little bit of everywhere—she met one of her friends on her freshman floor, one from study abroad, one in a coffee shop when they accidentally picked up each other's orders.

"We don't really have anything in common, Evie is just the glue that holds us together," Kori explained good-naturedly. "Like, not even majors in the same industry—I'm a photography major and Jasmine is an accounting major," Kori laughed as she gestured to the brunette who also laughed along with her. "But we all coexist really well. I like our group."

I'd smiled as she spoke, admittedly really charmed by Kori. The more I drank, the more I thought she was really nice and cute and charming in a quiet kind of way. Whereas Cayden was all hard edges and steamy looks, Kori was soft smiles and friendly eye contact.

"Uh," I said, unsure where to start with Evie's question. I always had a hard time introducing myself because I never really knew what to say. My hometown? My family? Keep it simple and talk about my major and what I hope to do eventually?

It sometimes felt like life didn't exist outside of college while I was here. I occasionally spoke to my parents but, when I was at NYU, it was like existing in my own bubble. Even when it came to friends from home or situations off campus, they might as well have been on a different continent. It made it hard to know what people actually cared about, if they felt at all the same way I did.

"She's mostly just asking about your dating life," Kori said to me.

Evie playfully gasped. "I am not! I care about more than just gossip." Then she looked at me, shrugging. "But I mean... I wouldn't have any complaints if you wanted to talk about what was going on with you. Especially since you have already mentioned you're having girl troubles."

I laughed. I was feeling loose and a little chaotic—the night had taken such a weird turn that my head was nearly spinning. I hadn't come out tonight thinking I'd meet an entirely new group of people, that was for sure.

"I've been seeing the girl and she's a little hot and cold with me," I said, unsure of how it was that I felt so confident about my sexuality around them. Why was it that I could open up immediately to strangers—or someone like Griffin—but I had such a hard time talking to Jade and Jaci about it? Even if I didn't tell Jade and Jaci about Cayden, I could've at least come out to them.

"Hot and cold is the worst," one of the friends from the table—everyone's names had gotten blended together—said, shaking her head. "I really feel for you."

"It's just weird because it was like she got this... phone call? And then just disappeared. I don't know how else to say it."

"That is weird," Evie said. "Any idea who the phone call was from?"

"No clue. She hasn't offered any sort of explanation. Just totally went ghost," I said. "At this point, I'm over it. Or at least trying to be. It's not worth it to play the game."

"That's for fucking sure," Evie said. "Cheers to that. And cheers to finding people who make us feel happy and appreciated."

We all whooped and laughed and threw back more drinks. It was the freest I'd felt in what felt like forever. I hadn't realized how badly I'd needed a girl's night out—or how much I'd missed seeing Jade and Jaci. It felt like we'd just generally been around each other but kept missing each other in the house. We used to go out all the time together.

I frowned, trying not to get too caught up on it but feeling a little hurt that I wasn't seeing them that much anymore. Was it because of Sebastian? Were they picking Sebastian over me?

"You okay?" Kori asked.

"What?" I blinked at her.

"My bad, you just look a little upset, is all," Kori said.

"Oh," I said, immediately feeling like I needed to brush it off. "It's okay. I just... weird few days. Just thinking."

I looked at her, studying her face. She genuinely was really pretty. There was no intensity to my attraction to her, but maybe it was better that way. Maybe I needed someone in my life where it didn't feel like everything was going one hundred with no brake.

"Alright, I think I'm going to have to call it a night," one of Evie's friends said and we all groaned playfully.

"I should probably call it in too," one of Evie's other friends said.

Evie checked her phone screen. "I did get a response from that cute guy from Tinder ages ago... he said to come through."

"Wasting no time," Kori said, laughing.

Evie shrugged. "I've done what I can with Jacob. I'm over it. I'm moving on."

"Cheers to fucking that," Kori said. She turned to me. "You heading out?"

I looked around the bar. It'd gotten quieter, but things were still happening. To no surprise, Griffin had texted saying he'd gone home with that blonde guy he mentioned early, to which I responded with exclamation marks. Overall, I had zero reason to really be anywhere, and going home where I had to actually deal with what I was going through with Cayden sounded terrible.

"I don't think so," I said. "I might hang back."

"I was thinking the same."

We both stayed seated, waving goodbye to everyone. Evie gave us both hugs and—after getting my phone number—told me and Kori to text her when we got home safely. After multiple rounds of promising her we'd text, it was just Kori and I left alone.

I'd been feeling brave when the entire group was around, but now that it was just me and someone I found attractive, I suddenly couldn't think of a single thing to say. It seemed like Kori was experiencing similar issues. But rather than it being awkward, it was charming. It was kind of nice to feel like I was equal playing field—like I made Kori just as nervous as she made me. It wasn't like how it felt with Cayden, where I felt a little bit like I was ready for Cayden to realize she was too good for me at any moment.

"Sorry about your girl troubles," Kori finally said. "I'm assuming that's why you're staying out."

I laughed, a little embarrassed. "Yeah, you got me." I looked at her, trying to find the confidence I'd tapped into so easily in the past. "But I also don't mind the company."

Kori's lips twitched up into a subtle smirk. "I appreciate that. I'd say the same about you."

I smiled. "So, what about you? Any girl troubles?"

"Mm, not really," Kori said. "I mean, I'm single and sort of dating around. But I tend to take kind of a backseat approach to things? Evie always tells me it's ridiculous and that you can't meet anyone if you're not on dating apps. But I don't know. It just doesn't feel urgent. I think people show up when you need them."

I looked at her, wondering what she was implying. I knew we'd just met, but I was still charmed by the sentiment. It felt different actually conversing with her this time around, especially since the club environment that I met her in is much different than this bar oozing with such a chill vibe. "I like the idea of meeting someone organically too. I have no opposition to dating apps, but it really is special to have that."

"Yeah exactly. Like I know dating apps make it easier in some ways, but meeting someone at a mutual friend's party or something just feels way more efficient. You already know you most likely have things in common. And even if the romantic aspect doesn't line up, there's a good chance you can still hang and be cool. I don't know if dating apps really have the same feel."

"Yeah, I totally get that," I said.

Kori and I chatted a little more back and forth, mostly making slightly awkward small talk. Something about it was really charming, especially since I didn't really give her a chance at the club that night. She's way different than I expected but in a good way—more charming and down to earth than the first mysterious and flirty vibe she gave me. I genuinely liked this side of her, and it was nice to know she had multiple sides to her. Honestly, I liked talking to her.

"So... I know it's winter break for both Columbia and NYU, but I do typically like to get to bed pretty early," Kori said, her dark eyes looking at me. "Morning routine and all."

"Oh, that's totally fine. Don't let me keep you."

"Well, actually," Kori said, "I was wondering if you'd want to come back with me?"