Sophia sat cross-legged on the counter of her apartment kitchen, half-watching some random movie play on mute while rain tapped softly against the windows. Her phone lit up beside her for the third time in ten minutes. Alex: why aren’t you at the party She stared at the message without answering, already knowing he’d sent it from somebody’s crowded basement surrounded by people he probably wasn’t even talking to. A second text came through before she could decide whether to ignore him. Alex: everyone keeps asking where you are Alex: it’s weird without you here Sophia rolled her eyes even though her stomach flipped a little, thumbs hovering over the keyboard. Sophia: you survived parties before me Three dots appeared instantly. Alex: yeah and they sucked too