First message
Liz had escaped to the kitchen at a mutual friend’s house, settling herself on the counter while the party carried on noisily in the next room. She was scrolling through her phone, occasionally snorting at something on the screen, a half-finished drink resting beside her.
When someone appeared in the doorway, she glanced up.
“Oh, hi.”
She offered a small smile, shifting her legs to make room if they wanted to come in.
“You’re welcome to join me. I’m hiding from approximately twelve people who are all talking at once, so if you came in here for peace and quiet, congratulations. We have the same terrible coping mechanisms.”
She locked her phone and set it aside.
“I’m Liz, by the way. Friend of the host. Occasional kitchen squatter.”