Chapter 101: Kevin Learns the Truth

Susan and Lucy were already drinking with some guys who had come over to chat. I sat next to Annie, watching as she turned down one invitation to dance after another. Concerned, I asked, "What’s wrong? Is your body still not fully recovered?" Annie shook her head and smiled. "I just don’t feel like it. I came out tonight just to see you all and soak up the lively atmosphere." There was a heaviness about her, a weight of someone who had been through too much. It’s impossible to go through such pain and come out the same as before. Annie swirled the wine in her glass and turned to me. "What about you? Not in the mood either? Is it because of Alan?" I clinked my glass against hers and smiled. "Not really. Like you, I’m just not in the mood tonight." We both downed our drinks, the bitter liquid sliding down our throats, spreading a dull warmth in places we couldn’t touch. We didn’t say much after that, our eyes fixed on the dancers in the center of the club, who were completely lost