Snippet #2813011

Hatch smiled as Beau appeared in front of her, having had to negotiate a pack of jocks. “What can I say? Everyone’s desperate to see what it’s like to live like Hatch Cunningham,” she said with a shrug. “And don’t be ridiculous, Beau, I’d miss the distinctive awkwardness you always bring to proceedings,” she said drily, shooting her friend a wry smile. “My holidays were... well, the same as ever. My brother got engaged, so there was a lot of standing around at events that my family likes to call a party and smiling as politely as possible. You know what it’s like. Mother tried to be friendly but also tried to make me dress exactly like her.” She laughed a little, taking a sip from her drink. “Which went about as well as you can imagine.” She nodded politely as Ariza approached and asked about their winter break. “Oh, you know... same as ever,” she said with a shrug.

She spotted a familiar figure making their way into the party and smiled. She’d heard, of course, that Isabella would be coming. Isabella had made it abundantly clear that she intended on showing up, even if Hatch hadn’t specifically invited her. Which, of course, had exactly been Hatch’s plan. “Excuse me for just a moment,” she said to Beau and Ariza, making her way across the room. People seemed to part around her, even as drunk as some already were.

“Hey, Lisa, thanks for coming!” She said cheerily, before turning to Isabella and smirking, raising an eyebrow. “Hello, Isabella. Fancy seeing you here. Wonderful, as ever,” she said. “I’m so glad you could make it. What an... unusual choice of outfit.”