Summary: Syrah runs into an old friend.

Syrah sighed, leaning against the bar. It was fun, getting to hang out with her fellow club members… even if they had to dress in mysterious cloaks, like they were in a cult.

They were inside a bar in the Pastel Kingdom, sharing a few drinks. Prez was there, alongside Monika, Jolie (who was wearing an eyemask), Saffron, Whitney, Abbi, and of course, Curtis. Despite Abbi looking like an old woman, Prez was refusing to let her have any alcohol.

"Just a sip!" Abbi pleaded.

"No!" Prez scolded. "If you go home drunk, your parents won't let you come back!"

"... true," Abbi admitted.

"Whitney," Monkia clung onto her big friend's arm. "What should I do if a guy likes me…?"

Whitney looked away. "Um…"

"Ugh, I'm getting a hangover already…" Saffron groaned, leaning over the bench. Curtis sighed, offering him a bucket. Jolie watched the two of them, seemingly bemused.

Syrah chuckled. Business as usual with the CPC.

"I'm just gonna get some wine," she told her friends. "Be right back!"

She walked up to the bartender, still wearing her smile. She adjusted her hood, swishing her ponytail.

I'm so sick of this thing, she thought, as it slipped off her hair.

"Hey, Syrah, is that you?"

Syrah span around. Standing there was a young man, around the same age as her. He had pale skin and mid-length brown hair, styled to the side. He had a mustache under his nose, and wore a floral shirt under a brown jacket.

Syrah grimaced. Sure, he looked a little different from the last time she'd seen him, but she could never forget his face.

"Hey, Justin," she greeted, cautiously. "What are you doing here…?"

Ugh, she thought. Of all the places he had to show up…!

"Oh, one of my buddies moved here," he replied. "I'm just paying a visit." He made a face. "What about you? What are you doing here?"

Syrah swallowed.

"I'm here with friends too," she got out.

She wasn't going to lie in front of him. No way.

"Really?" Justin raised a brow. "I didn't know you had friends here."

"Could say the same for you," Syrah muttered.

"Heh," Justin sat near her, making her tense up. "You're still dating around, aren't 'cha?"

"Mmhmm," Syrah hummed.

Justin made a face. "Even with your, y'know…"

"Yeah," Syrah adjusted her hood. "I never stop!"

"Sheesh," Justin tilted his head. "How do the guys keep on coming?"

"It's called having charisma," Syrah retorted. "Something you wouldn't know much about."

Justin glowered at her. "My tastes have changed a lot."

Syrah rolled her eyes. "Good for you."

Justin just chuckled, leaning against the bar.

"I don't regret it," he got out.

"You shouldn't," Syrah responded. "I was too powerful before my curse."

Justin laughed once more. "I miss your sense of humor. But I don't miss you."

"Ditto," Syrah growled.

The two of them stared into each other's eyes.

"You must hate me," Justin grimaced.

"Yeah, I do," Syrah replied, "but not because you cursed me… it's because you're annoying as hell!"

Justin tilted his head. "Better than being a filthy cheater."

Syrah gripped her dress between her fist, biting her tongue.

The nerve of this-

Justin sat up, eyeing a guy near the entrance. "Oh, my buddy's here." He got up. "Well… see you around, Syrah."

"Yeah…" Syrah looked away. "See ya."

He walked off. Syrah groaned, burying her head into her hands.

She ordered her drink, heading back to her friends. They were all looking at her, oddly.

"Who was that guy you were talking to?" Monika asked.

Syrah looked away. "Oh… just an old ex of mine."

She sighed. Sometimes, she wished she could lie with no consequence.

"Really?" Prez stepped forward. "What's he doing here?"

"Visiting a friend, apparently," Syrah shrugged.

"Is he the guy who gave you your curse?" Saffron asked.

Syrah looked away.

Abbi held up her fist. "I'm gonna punch his lights out!"

The others stood up, eagerly ready to pummel Justin. Jolie, even with her eye mask, was still terrifying.

"Don't bother," Syrah shook it off. "Without my curse I'd be too powerful!" She chuckled. "Maybe I should've thanked him."

Prez crossed her arms. "Syrah…"

Syrah shrugged. "Hey, come on, Prez. You're the one who always says we shouldn't let our curses hold us back."

"Yeah, but that's still not an excuse!" Saffron stepped forward.

"I mean…. I cheated on him," Syrah admitted. "So, maybe I kinda deserved it."

The members stared at each other. Whitney awkwardly sipped his drink.

"Still, it's pretty harsh," Prez told her.

"Yeah," Monika sobbed. "You really don't deserve it!"

Jolie nodded in agreement. "A permanent curse for a one-off…"

Syrah sighed. "You guys are too sweet. Seriously."

They were the nicest friends she could've asked for. Sometimes, she had to wonder if even a little liar like herself deserved them.

How much could she get away with if not for her curse? Well, it didn't matter. She wouldn't stop with the men, no way. If only to prove Justin wrong, to show him that his curse would never slow her down.

"Miss Syrah?" Curtis asked.

Syrah held out her wine. "Enough with the gloomy faces. Let's party!"