(Julia POV)
"Yeah, sure," I say, voice flat, forcing a nod, my fingers curling tight around my mug now cold. Sophie's smirk burns into me, Andrew's awkward shift barely registering. Sophie leans back, latte cup clinking, grinning sharp, eyes on me, dismissing. "Great, see you there, gonna be wild."
I force a smile, teeth gritting, nodding, bag heavy on my shoulder, needing out, fast. "Yeah, sounds, fun," I mutter, voice cracking, shifting, chair scraping, soft, awkward.
Andrew sips, coffee sloshing, eyes flicking to me, then away, caught, mumbling, "Good, catch you later, then."
"Later," I echo, low, standing, scarf slipping, grabbing it. Sophie's laugh, bright, cutting, "Busy life, big plans," follows me as I turn, bag bumping the table, mug rattling, goodbye, done, empty.
"Take care
