After nearly an hour of making small talk with Brett, Delphine excused herself. Taylor and Cosima were practically tumbling over one another in laughter. Delphine felt a knot in her throat as she watched Cosima place a hand on Taylor's arm and Taylor placed her hand over Cosima's.
It was enough, Delphine couldn't handle it anymore. She knew Cosima deserved to have a chance at a normal life, and these people represented a time before Cosima was self aware. Being surrounded by these classmates made Cosima feel like she wasn't a clone, she was just a girl. Delphine knew better than to say or do anything to pull Cosima out of that fantasy.
Instead, she found her way to the secondary bar. She needed a drink but didn't want to be anywhere near Cosima or her ex lover.
"A gin on the rocks. A double!" She said dryly to the bartender.
"A double? High school must have been tough," a deep voice purred. She turned to find a muscular man with dark hair and blue eyes. Before Cosima, this man would have been Delphine's type. Her eyes widened, taking him in. "I'm Mark Grayson, but I'm sure you knew that," he bragged.
"What makes you so sure?" She asked playfully.
"I was Prom king. Captain of the football team," he winked. "I saw you talking to Cosima Niehaus."
"Awfully observant for a stranger."
"I notice beautiful women," he purred.
"Ah. Well, Miss Niehaus is very beautiful. And accomplished as well..."
"You're funny," he smiled. "What is your name?"
"Delphine!" Cosima cried, rushing to her side. "It's late. Are you ready?"
Delphine downed the alcohol, nodding to Cosima.
"Goodnight, Mark," she whispered sensually. Her tone wasn't entirely flirtatious but she knew it was enough to entice Cosima.
"What were you doing?" Cosima asked in the elevator.
"Talking. That guy said hello."
"That guy made my life a living hell!" Cosima's voice was on the edge of being raised as she struggled to keep her cool.
"I didn't know," Delphine whispered softly, glancing down.
"No, I should have told you," Cosima whispered. "I don't like to think of them, that's all."
"Is there anything else that you aren't telling me?"
"There were other bullies. I'll point them out. Don't worry," Cosima lied.
"How was talking to Taylor?"
"Good. I didn't realize how much I missed her," Cosima smiled. "You were right. If it weren't for you, I never would have gone to the reunion. I owe this reconnection to you."
When Cosima turned, Delphine closed her eyes, refusing to let her eyes tear up. Cosima had lied to her out in the open and left Delphine feeling as if this entire thing were her fault.
By the time they got back to their room, Delphine had gone through every scenario, searching for a way to reconnect with Cosima.
When Cosima went into the bathroom to remove her earrings, Delphine moved behind her, grabbing her waist and kissing her neck.
"It's late," Cosima whispered.
"I need you," Delphine moaned, her hand massaging the back of Cosima's thigh, desperately trying to get to her. "I just need to feel you," she whispered.
"Baby," Cosima turned, facing Delphine. "How about a rain check, please? I'm so jet lagged and exhausted. You wanted me to try and rest when I could, right?"
Delphine made a deep exhale. "Yes, if you're feeling fatigued you should sleep," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Cosima kissed her cheek, "You looked really beautiful tonight," she whispered. "Night, Del."
And just like that, Cosima was gone. Delphine shut the bathroom door. She refused to let herself cry. Instead, she used her makeup remover wipes to clean her face. The abrasion felt so good that she kept scrubbing, her mind playing every last moment of the evening. She didn't even notice her face growing redder and redder. She was too lost in her own pain to notice the way it was already effecting her.