I take another breath and let it out. If I knew I would end up alone, I might have turned down the invite. I glance around the room again, wondering where to go first. There’s an open bar in the corner, a line of people waiting for drinks. Another group comes through the door behind me. I should probably move out of the entryway. The place is even bigger than it looks. There’s a spiral staircase leading to a second floor. I wonder how many people are living here. A server walks by, carrying a tray of mini sausage rolls. I take one as I wander into what appears to be a library room, books lining the wall.
A few people are standing beside a grand piano, drinking champagne. If I knew the song, maybe I could join the conversation. Everyone looks a few years older than me, at least. There’s a small group mingling by the bookcase. I think I recognize some of them from the theater. Maybe they recognized me, too, because a woman in an emerald dress smiles at me and says, “Are those any good?”
“I think they’re vegan,” I say.
She nods. “Good to know. I’m Ariella. Have we met before?”
It takes a second to recognize her face. She came to the box office the other day, asking for cast tickets. But Simonspecifically said not to mention we work there. So I shake my head and say, “No, I don’t believe so. My name is Eric.”
“Delighted,” she says, offering a hand. “And who do you know from the show?”
I think about how to answer this. “Uh, Angelina.”
“Lovely. Are you one of her students?”
“Not exactly. I sort of work for her,” I say vaguely.
“Who else do you know here?”
“No one really…”
She nods. “I see.”
It’s obvious she’s bored of this, because she glances around the room and says, “Excuse me. I think I see a friend of mine.” She walks away before I can add to the conversation. Maybe she would have stayed longer if I said I was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s grandson or something.
Twenty minutes later, I’m inthe bathroom. At least it’s nice in here. There’s art on the walls and the sink is made of hand-blown glass. I wash my hands and dry them with a fancy towel. Then I stare at myself in the mirror. Maybe I should drink something to loosen up. But that never ends well for me. I wonder what Haru is doing right now. I wish I had waited for him outside the theater instead.
Suddenly there’s a knock on the door.
“Someone’s in here,” I shout.
Another knock.
“I said,someone’s in here.”
Then comes Alex’s voice.
“Eric, is that you? Open up!”
I unlock the door for her. Alex comes inside, holding a drink. She takes a look around the bathroom and says, “This is the size of my entire studio. What are you doing in here?”
I lean against the sink and sigh. “Taking a break from the party…”
Alex frowns. “Are you not having a good time?”
“I just don’t know anyone at the party,” I say.
“And you never will if you stay in here all night.” She sets her drink on the counter and takes me lovingly by the shoulders. “You know what? I think we should give you a goal,” she says, eye shadow glistening. “Something you need to do by the end of the night.”
“What kind of goal?”
She taps her chin in thought. “You should ask for someone’s number. That’s always an easy one. It doesn’t even have to be romantically driven. As long as you meet someone new.”
The thought of this makes me more anxious. I’m not very good in those situations. “What if they say no?” I ask.
Alex gives me a squeeze. “The point is you put yourself out there and ask anyway. Do you know how hot you are? You might be surprised by the outcome.”
I consider this. “I guess I can try.”
