[b]“Thanks. Oh, but before we go, let's chuck these.”[/b]

Charlie considered the green and blue glow stick bracelets on her wrist. “Oh thank God,” she breathed, tearing the bracelets off and tossing them over her shoulder. “It's a cool system, but so [i]out[/i] there.” Smiling at Ashley, she picked up her book and weaved back through the crowd to Willow. She explained the new game plan quickly and excused them both from the company of Willow's dance partner. 

She took Willow's hand and waved for Ashley to follow, then jogged out of the bar and past a couple just outside. 

She couldn't be more relieved to be out. The bar was certainly a nice place and the people weren't difficult to talk to, she even liked the bouncer – she was sure to wave at him on her way out – but it wasn't [i]her[/i], and she could almost feel everyone sizing her up. Still, she made a note to try it again some time. After all, she did make one friend. Charlie basked in the crisp evening air, breathing deep, until she realised how strange it must look to Ashley and the other two people outside.

Across the street from Mingle, the restaurant and take-away stood squished between two taller buildings, with a yellow backlit sign above the windows and red checker tablecloths on a grand total of three tables. The light from inside cast a bright yellow-tinted square on the pavement. Though she had never been there before, she couldn't help noticing it as Willow dragged her down the street towards the bar earlier that evening. She remembered the smell of Chinese flowing out of the building to meet her... 

Her stomach growled.

“Aw, Charles, you made a friend!” Willow squealed behind her. Horrified, Charlie tugged her away from Ashley. “What's your name? How old--” Charlie clapped a hand over her friend's mouth and coughed as if to cover up the question. Willow continued to mumble behind her hand, hazel brown eyes alight with excitement.

“Will, this is Ashley, she's nineteen and her fashion choices are none of our business – I'm really sorry about that, by the way,” she added as an aside, still apologetic for her earlier behaviour, then continued. “Ashley, this is Willow, my best friend. She's part rabbit, I think.” At this, Willow instantly stopped bouncing and glared at her. Just barely suppressing a laugh – and grinning instead – Charlie let her go. 

Willow huffed, but then she smiled and bowed her head to the girl. “It's very nice to meet you, Ashley,” she said, glancing between them. She adopted an overly sweetened voice, “Charlotte, you know I love you, so I'm gonna wait for you back in the bar. Come get me when you're done!” With that, she sped off back past the couple and Big Bob and into the bar before Charlie could open her mouth to protest. 

“I don't know why I'm friends with her. Traitor.”