Page 29 of The Gargoyle in the College

I take a seat at a table in the corner, where even the spotlights don’t care. I let out a breath, setting my drink on the table.

Do I take a sip?

It should be an alcoholic drink, but I don’t even know the name. It looks like a glass of orange juice, but I know better.

We ordered it when we first arrived at the bar. it is free, which... I guess it is better than if it costs money.

I don’t drink a lot. I’m not a big fan of drinking, not to mention drinking on my own feels sad. Maybe I can get Gisett to drink with me.

I take a sip of the cocktail. It’s a smooth one with a hint of sweetness. But all I know is that I’m not a fan of bitter alcohol. Maybe telling the bartender that I’d just have whatever my friends have isn’t a good idea. I don’t know the name of a single drink and what’s on the menu’s like a foreign language to me.

No one seems to notice me, which is good news. I sit back and try to relax as much as I can, given the loud music that’s still murdering me.

Maybe something’s wrong with me. Most people in the bar are similar age to me, and most of them, if not all, seem to be enjoying their time. No one’s sitting to the side like me.

But I can’t seem to gather the excitement. I can be excited when I’m in a library or a cafe, but this bar is just not doing it for me.

Speaking of which, maybe I should go to a cafe to get to know people who will share my interest. People like me don’t enjoy a noisy bar like this. So why am I even here?

Groups and groups are dancing in the center of the bar, swaying their bodies and seemingly having fun.

I still don’t understand.

I can’t be the only person who doesn’t like this kind of situation, right? I can’t be that special.

What’s Gisett doing? Still standing there and staring at the street? That’s the most boring job ever.

But even that sounds more enticing than sitting here.

I narrow my eyes, trying to figure out where my friends are, but they remain mixing with the crowd, nowhere to be spotted.

I take another sip of the drink, which makes my cheeks warm. I’m probably not that good with alcohol. I’ve never tested that. This isn’t the right time and place to be testing that.

How long has it been since I arrived? Probably not long enough for me to be gone.

I think I’d have to at least stay for an hour before I can sneak home.

“Laura, can’t believe I ran into you here!”

I look up at Ryan’s curly hair and his grin. It is evening, but he is so energetic that he may as well be just out of bed. How is that even possible?

I force a smile even though I’d rather be left alone. “Hi... Didn’t expect to see you either.”

He chuckles. “Can I take a seat?”

No? “Sure.”

He takes a seat, leaving enough room between us. He glances at my drink. “Sure feels good being a woman, at least for this moment, huh?”

“Yeah... It’s not that bad.” I think I’m trying to convince myself of that instead of actually believing that myself, but whatever...

He chuckles. “Looks like you aren’t a bar person.”

I nod. “Is that obvious?”

“Pretty much when you’re here when everyone else is over there.”

I sigh. “It’s too loud over there. Not to mention I can barely hear you, even though we’re sitting side by side and we aren’t even close to the dancing area.”

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