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[/b][/h3][/sup][/color][/row][row][cell][sup][h2][color=black]SARA ZHOU[/color][/h2][/sup]
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[sup][color=black][b]█  [sup]   [/sup]act one: way down we go[/b][/color][/sup][indent][sup][color=a9a9a9]
 [color=black]▸[/color] p. johnson's[/color][/sup][/indent][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/824488408562794527/970459343667494932/unknown.png[/img][/center][sub][color=#2e2c2c]▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔[/color][/sub][/cell][cell][center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/824488408562794527/967592442486460476/unknown.png[/img][/center]
[indent][color=dcdcdc][sub]Sara flashed him a smile. Friendly, empathetic even. Right out of the customer service handbook. [b][color=black]“Seven years flies by in a blink, eh?”[/color][/b]

She gave a slight wince as the familiar, high-pitched squeal of a popular girl rang through the bar. As Hanna practically flung herself onto Sangster, she tossed a glance at Lucas to gauge his reaction. 

[b][color=black]“Goes fast… but it’s plenty of time for people to mellow out, I’m sure.”[/color][/b] A steadfast reassurance.

She turned back to the bar, an easy excitement rising as she spotted Meir at the bar. God, it seriously had been too long. He’d really grown into himself, becoming barely recognizable from the scrawny AP class companion she had. Not to Sara though. She’d know that curly hair and nervous posture anywhere. That particular deer-in-the-headlights expression was not as frequent, however. She had to rack her brain to recall what or who would trigger that one. It wasn’t a bully, was it? No, he wouldn’t be as clammy if it was. Maybe one of Hanna’s clique? Closer, but no dice. 

No, it was a specific person. Darn, who was it again?

[b][color=black]“Hey Freya! What’s going on?”[/color][/b]

Ah.

Fuck.

It came from a voice she couldn’t place for the moment, but it told her everything she needed to hear. Sara’s jaw clenched and she quietly abandoned all plans to join Meir at the bar, instead opting to continue blending in at this booth. She couldn’t just leave Lucas alone, after all!

[i][color=black]‘I thought I was ready for this,’[/color][/i] she sighed internally. 

Her bereavement was quickly - efficiently - pushed aside as she watched Jack approach. 

[b][color=black]“Hey guys, what’s up? Party’s happening over there.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=black]“Just making sure a little lamb didn’t get too lost,”[/color][/b] Sara smirked back. Past Jack, she caught yet another person looking bug-eyed, in their booth’s direction this time. Was Cal… holding in a sneeze?

[b][color=black]“Uhhh…”[/color][/b] Maybe she should just ignore that. She needed a proper distraction either way. [b][color=black]“Yeah, ‘f course, no rush. Hey, I’ve got a keg out back I prepared just for today. You mind helping me carry it to my car?”[/color][/b]
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