Buzzed Hearts

93: a friend of a friend

HER EXPANSIVE EXPERIENCE in performance piano has taught her one thing: Camila is significantly less nervous when she knows that there is no one in attendance at the recital that she has to impress. Without the presence of judges, other competitors, and perhaps a certain boy who is trying to win her affections, Camila plays with fluidity and ease.

The days leading up to ChamberFest, however, were a completely different story. Camila finds that once she is actually seated in front of the grand, all her rehearsal returns to her. Within minutes, she was taking her bow and exiting the stage. It was not as if there was a standing ovation she was so used to—at Juilliard, Camila is not an exception, but to her, it was an honor and privilege being able to hone her craft at New York nevertheless.

She had promised that she would go to the afterparty her peers were organizing after the recital and so she decides to head home first to get changed. Her subway ride home is spent texting Laurent and the group chat, who all sent her virtual bouquets. In fact, Laurent ordered one to be sent to her address, a welcome surprise to which she comes back to.

Camila gets dressed, changing out of her black recital dress and into jeans and a warm sweater. If there was one thing about her department's parties is that there will be drinking and Camila doesn't want to risk getting her nicer clothes ruined.

A text from Julien reminds her that she is running behind schedule. Though they hadn't kept in touch after they met at the diner, it turned out that he was also performing at ChamberFest as well. They became friends by stressing about booking practice rooms and debating who had better etudes, Liszt or Chopin.

As expected, Camila is welcomed with drinks of all manners despite her being under the drinking age. Their makeshift bartender was no other than Oliver Knight, who upon seeing her, went "I knew it!"

"You knew? What?" Camila asks, her confusion growing. What was he doing here?

"I knew you'd be here," he says and laughs infectiously. It seems that he was already feeling the effects of his own concoctions.

"Well I certainly didn't know you'd be here." Camila laughs too and takes a cup from him. After all, social circles ran small in the city, and if you didn't know someone you at least knew someone who knew them—Camila has made plenty friends just by being recognized as a friend of their mutual friend.

Within a few hours, Camila was in the same drunken state as Oliver. "Did I ever tell you I had a really really really small crush on you?" she asks him.

He turns red. "You didn't have to emphasize the small that much, Cam."

"Because it was small and I don't want you to get the wrong idea." Camila laughs and her chest feels warm. "It's late, I should go. Thanks."

"Wait," Oliver says. "If you're going alone, I should take you home."

Before Camila could respond and thank him for his chivalry, an all too familiar voice interjects.

"Ah, I don't think that will be necessary."