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So far, Ariels night was rather uneventful. As she slowly made her towards the venue, she realized that she was among the earlier crowd. The young woman silently cursed herself. Now she would have to spend even longer at homecoming. Or did she? Had the teachers set a time limit, or did the students have to stay the whole night? 

That was when she heard Archer’s voice. Turning to look at him, she smiled, seeing that he was in a good mood. A small part of her was excited. She had her friend back, though perhaps not all the way. But when it came to Archie - or any of her friends - she'd take way she could get. 

Shaking Julie's hand in return, she gave the girl a smile as well. [color=6bb8cf]”Thanks Julie. You look gorgeous!”[/color] Playfully glaring at Archer as he said her first name, she took his arm in hers. [Color=6bb8cf]”I guess so,”[/color] Ariel replied in a quiet town. Large crowds had always made her nervous. 

[Color=6bb8cf]”How on earth did you end up giving Julie a ride?”[/color]

Archer absentmindedly took in the decorations that had transformed the country club from a drab and stiff place to a dreamy venue worthy of King's homecoming [color=35996B]“Oh?”[/color] he turned back to his date. [color=35996B]“Well she looked like she needed help, and I guess I felt bad for her. I was kind of mean to her at Diablo's party.”[/color] he stared straight ahead lost in thought. 

[color=35996B]“Don't get me wrong, I still think she's a spoiled brat. But I guess I have my own things to work out…”[/color] he shrugged glancing at Ariel and pressed his lips together into a tight smile. [color=35996B]“Sonny and Mari seem to like her a lot… I don't know maybe I'm too judgmental for my own good.”[/color]

Ariel looked at him thoughtfully. [Color=6bb8cf]”That's seems fair. It was a nice thing for you to help her put regardless,”[/color] she responded, directing then towards the drink table. [Color=6bb8cf]”Nice suit by the way.”[/color]

The boy glanced down at himself [color=35996B]“Hah, thanks! I clean up pretty good huh?”[/color] Archer chuckled. As the pair eyed the refreshment table the silence was deafening, Archer shifted uncomfortably and ran a hand through his hair. [color=35996B]“I mean, you look really good tonight as well.”[/color] Rolling his eyes at his stupid comment he pressed on [color=35996B]“They really went all in on the decor, but, uh…”[/color] he picked up the ladle from the punch bowl [color=35996B]“They skimped on the food and drinks! Is this… kool-aid?”[/color] he sniffed the ladle before he shrugged and poured them both a glass.

Ariel laughed, taking a glass. [Color=6bb8cf]”I really wouldn't be surprised if it was.”[/color]

Handing Ariel one of the glasses, Archer scanned the room in hopes of finding something to break up this awkward silence. As if she had been summoned Marisol entered the room with her [i]new[/i] best friend Salem… well technically he was her date. But Archer still couldn’t help but feel a little left behind, he had been burned before after all. Archer glanced down at Ari before he cleared his throat [color=35996B]“You want to go mingle? Have you met Salem, the new kid?”[/color] he asked nodding towards the newly arrived couple.  

What to say…. What to say. Gods. Did she have to be [i]this[/i] awkward. Here she was standing with her best friend - Well, it was a newly rekindled friendship, but whatever - and she couldn't think of anything to say. Nothing. Nada. Oh, the struggles of being a wallflower. Following Archers gaze, her eyes landed on Marisol and her date as well. Mari looked stunning or course, and the young man looked pretty good too. [Color=6bb8cf]”I've seen him around with Marisol. But I don't really recall his name or anything. I guess we could go say hello?”[/color]
 
[color=35996B]“Ah. It seems like we missed our chance”[/color] Archer sighed as he watched Marisol zoom around the dancefloor. He looked to Ari and turned back to face the dancefloor, [color=35996B]“Maybe we should just sit down?”[/color] he pulled out a chair and took the seat across from it.

[color=35996B][i]Again, with the awkward silence[/i][/color] he thought staring at his hands trying to figure out something to talk about. [color=35996B]“The DJ’s pretty good…”[/color] he tried. After a few more failed attempts Archer’s leg was almost vibrating through the floor under the table.

Archer stood up slowly [color=35996B]“I’m just going to step out for a little bit…”[/color] he whispered not being able to take the awkwardness anymore, he needed a smoke. He was almost holding his breath as he sped towards the exit. 

When he finally got to take a long drag from his cigarette Archer slumped against the wall and relaxed. The feeling of guilt for leaving Ariel alone came creeping up on him, he took another drag and watched as the smoke disappeared out in the night sky. He just needed to clear his mind.  

Was she really that bad? Sure, it was going to take a while for things to go back to the way the were… but she didn't think it would be this bad. As her shitty luck would have it, she was wrong. Speechless once again, Ariel sat in the chair next to the one her friend had just occupied moments ago, doing her best to stop her anxiety from getting the best of her.