I turn to leave, but she notices me. Her arm shoots up, waving enthusiastically. Damn it. I only came here to grab something cold for my jaw, not to socialize, but her obvious energy makes ignoring her impossible. It would look like a diss if I walked away. So I walk over.
“Hey,” I start, but she’s already on her feet, wrapping me in a hug like we’ve known each other for years. My brows fly up. I hug her back out of reflex, blinking as she pulls away.
“So glad to see you back in school,” she says like sunshine in a stormy cloud.
I just stare, and her blue eyes flicker nervously around, from me to the room and the people watching them back again. The pink creeping into her cheeks is painfully obvious in the silence. It cracks me up. My shoulders shake as I try not to laugh.
“Sorry I em
