Reading Between the Lines

Chapter 6: Entrapment

In the past two months I've known Delphine, I discovered just how multitalented she is. She's good at everything she touches, basically. Soccer, school, cooking, and even knitting. Turns out, I discovered another thing that she's somehow great at too.

Lying.

"I knew you were friends with Abhi. I didn't think you were friends with the entire group!" I freak out. I can't even imagine how awkward it's gonna be if I run into them.

"I'm really sorry, Sarvani. I knew you would be super hesitant to go if you knew your friends were coming. But seriously, I just wanted you to enjoy something away from all of this! It wasn't any bad intentions, I promise," she apologizes profusely as if she personally offended me.

Honestly, I'm not mad in the slightest. I lowkey needed something like this to break the ice with them; I miss them a lot, and as much I hated to admit it at first, I really grew to enjoy their company. 

I miss Vinnie's sarcasm and bluntness, Tusharika's little snort and her hugs, Abhi's constant conversations and check-ins, Sam's jokes and art lessons, Divya's motherliness and random fun facts, Vaibhav's messy flirting and overall happy face, and Naishal's charm and relaxedness that always calmed me down. 

I got to know them so well, and even though I wanted to do more, this is more important. I have to figure out the deal with Hillmore; I'm so sick of being in the dark.

"It's okay. I know you wouldn't do it to make me upset," I reassure her, patting her on her really defined back to tell her I mean it. She hasn't done anything to make me distrust her, and besides, maybe this was the little divine nudge I needed to finally face them after all this time.

She chuckles, "Of course. I can't imagine how you'd be when you're mad."

She really does not wanna see that.

After about 15 minutes of walking, Delphine and I reach a giant field in the center of campus. It's an amphitheater covered in bright green grass and flowers peering up from the ground. Black, wooden pillars stand in place across the field, with rows of mini-lightbulbs hanging horizontally across them. It's only 7 right now, but the sky is almost completely dark. And with the lights twinkling brightly, it's such a pretty sight.

There's about 30 people here, all chatting with themselves and in their own worlds. On the right, there is a glass shed where I can see a giant table of food. From where I'm standing, I can see nachos, some salad, pasta, and maybe some chicken wings.  

I'm sure there's way more, though. I can't wait to sink my teeth into all of that.

No alcohol is in sight. Like, nothing. Delphine wasn't joking about the lack of booze, after all. I mean, considering that this isn't staff-sponsored and that we're in COLLEGE, shouldn't there be at least some beer or something? I mean, there has to be some underground thing, right?

Or is this really just a wholesome, fun get-together without alcohol?

Wow. I've never seen that before! Last year, in New York, the number of people who used to come back to the dorms wasted was astronomical. 

"Wow, everything looks so good!" I circle around as I try to see what else is there.

"Yup, it does. You can do anything here, and you can make about 30 new friends," she nudges my elbow and I roll my eyes at her jokingly.

"Now, I'm going to go meet my friends. Do you want to come with me?"

"Uh, sure?" I agree very unconfidently, already worried about what they'll think of me. An entire league of gorgeous ethereal-looking models? Not intimidating at all.