2

"Elliot! You came! I'm so glad!" Kathy exclaimed two minutes after the house lights went on. People bumped into each other searching for the singer they came to see. Plastic wrap on flowers, people calling to each other and the sound crew moving microphones was making Olivia dizzy. "You must be Olivia," Kathy turned to her, pulling Olivia from her anxious thoughts.

"In the flesh," Olivia said, outstretching her hand. "You did really great up there. You guys have a very talented group... Well in your case, a couple groups." Kathy laughed.

"I couldn't get enough so I had to take three courses. It makes for a lot of practice time but I think it's worth it."

"Well, it shows. I was really impressed," Elliot commented, putting his arm around her. Olivia noticed the shorter girl blush slightly before she went on to speak again.

"So, did you guys have any plans tonight... besides this I mean?" Kathy looked between the two. Both shrugged and shook their heads. "Okay well, every year after the last concert we all go down to Joe's Restaurant to celebrate. Our director started that tradition about ten years ago. We have our own though too," Kathy lowered her tone. "Since the day after is always a Saturday, we always have a big bonfire down past the east side warehouses. Would you guys want to go to that too?"

"That sounds awesome," Elliot exclaimed. "Looks like our weekend is packed!"

"For once," Olivia joked. "That does sound fun. I mean, Elliot and I will have to cancel that trip to the Cape but..." Kathy's face fell. Olivia noticed instantly. "I'm only kidding," she laughed. Internally she wondered if she'd have to worry about Kathy disapproving of her and Elliot's close relationship.

"This place is clearing out," Elliot commented. "We should be going too. Besides, I'm freakin' starving."

"I second that," Olivia and Kathy chimmed together.

The resturant was hopping! Olivia recognized the faces of some of the singers. Most had changed back into street clothes, although some hadn't taken the time to take off their formal wear. Kathy led the two through the crowd to a table her friends were parked at. They were laughing and throwing napkins at each other. They barely noticed the three approach.

"Hey guys, move over!" Kathy exclaimed. "These are my friends Elliot and Olivia," Kathy introduced. Olivia's wandering eyes made their way back to the table as she heard her name. Kathy's friends were all warm and welcomed them to sit. "This is Joe, Evan, Sarah, Serena and Grace."

"Grace, you were really great on that piano this evening," Elliot said, striking up conversation. "How long have you been playing?"

"Five years," she answered. "Five i long /i years."

"You don't like it?" Elliot asked. Olivia's train of thought drifted away from the table. She looked at the singers at every table. She wondered why the blonde girl hadn't come back with all the others. Maybe she i was /i a snot after all. Maybe she didn't have friends. Olivia couldn't stand people who only had time for homework. There was so much more to life, that these one way thinkers, were missing out on.

The waitress came by and took orders. Olivia half listened to Joe and Evan and their crazy story about getting lost on the wrong side of New York. She felt her nose start to run and picked up a napkin. When she noticed the bright red, she decided to excuse herself to the ladies room.

Olivia pushed through the doors and went up to the sink. "Fuck, where did this come from?" She asked the tissue in her hand. She leaned over the sink and tried to lightly blow her nose. The sound of a toilet flushing startled her. She didn't think anyone was even in there. She silently cursed herself for talking aloud to no one.

Olivia kept her head over the sink as the girl beside her, washed her hands.

"Excuse me, are you alright?" The low voice came from beside her. It sounded familiar. Olivia turned her head sideways to see the soloist. She got goosebumps when she realized who it was. She didn't understand why she was so drawn to this girl but she had been silently searching the crowds for her, all evening.

"I've got a bloody nose," Olivia said, feeling like an idiot. "I've never really had one before actually."

"Well don't try to blow. It could make it worse," the blonde disappeared into the stall and returned with white toilet paper. It was softer than the brown paper towel Olivia had. "Pinch your nose with this," she handed Olivia the paper and pressed lightly on her forehead. "Tip your head back like this." The contact from the girls fingers to her face make her stomach flop.

"How do you know all this?" Olivia asked, trying desperatly to get her mind off the odd reactions she was having. The awkward silences weren't much fun either.

"Didn't you learn this in health?" The girl asked.

"I failed health," Olivia half laughed. She shook her head at how stupid that sounded and the girl touched her again.

"Don't shake, try to be still," Olivia froze at the order. "How do you fail health anyway? Don't you just have to show up?" She joked.

"I don't get much sleep at night," Olivia answered. She started to feel dizzy from keeping her head back. "Guess I thought it wouldn't matter when I caught up." The girl laughed.

"Okay, bring your head back down," she ordered. Olivia did as she was told. "Now blow your nose really lightly." Olivia did. "See, better."

"Thank you," the nervous brunette said. "I owe you one."

"Oh it's nothing," the girl answered.

"Good thing I bumped into you in the bathroom," Olivia laughed as she washed her hands.

"Again," the blonde corrected. Olivia looked at her. She didn't think the girl had noticed her back at the school. She had been in such a rush. "I'm Alex," she said smiling.

"Olivia."