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They met Poppy and the others at a busy fast food place near the concert venue, which was a far cry fro the way the servers churned out food didn’t inspire confidence, but it did give Tessaher camera everywhere lately so that she could film snippets of Gemman life for her project Her instructor was the only one who see useful in observing the RUNA Part of this included candid interviews, so her friends were more than happy to do

"I orried you wouldn’t co-ups would get the best of you" As usual, though, she spoke of those "hang-ups" fondly

Poppy was dressed like a girl Tessa had once seen on a corner while traveling by car with her fairl didn’t listen to her parents," Tessa’sto blow your mind," Poppy added As the others chatted excitedly, she leaned toward Tessa and lowered her voice "What do you think of Dennis?"

Tessa glanced across the table to where he was chatting with his sister, fresh off her suspension "He’s okay," whispered Tessa "But I don’t think he’s the one forwith having fun with a guy"

Tessa didn’t think she would ever be into the kind of "fun" that Poppy was referring to, at least not in a casual way Maybe there was nothingherself Just like Dennis, no guy at school had really ed her No girl had either She would’ve blamed it on a cultural contrast, but she’d never met anyone of interest in Panauy every week, and Tessa feared therewith her

The fact that the concert was outdoors helped with Tessa’s crowd claustrophobia It was the music itself she had trouble with She’d otten around to it They caught her totally off guard and were like no band she’d ever heard before The lyrics were indecipherable, and the backgroundwas just loud All conversation had to be shouted, and Tessa half expected hearing loss later Sitting outside in the spring evening was pleasant at least, and recording her friends’ enraptured faces providedon about how much she knew about the band, all the paraphernalia she’d collected, and all the stats on their next album It was another of those ious countryit

"You want some?" Poppy offered her a flask at intermission

Tessa hesitated One glass of wine at Leo and Dominic’s had nearly knocked her out "I don’t know if I should"

"There’s another one in my purse I stole it all from my dad’s liquor cabinet--not that he’ll even notice I swear, he drinkswith Justin, Tessa wasn’t so sure about that

Dennis overheard and moved to their side of the blanket, panic all over his face "No Absolutely not If she goes ho about alcohol," said Tessa It surprised her that she’d suddenly feel irritated at the thought of Dennis dictating her actions And Justin had started off the night doing it as well I’ve been here too long, she thought Already resisting authority I never would’ve questioned any order back ho the flask "A couple drinks won’t get her drunk"

But by the end of the concert, Tessa was drunk

It was a new experience, and she was surprised at howHer head felt pleasantly fuzzy and light, and everything was extra funny She didn’t feel as shy as usual around the group and enjoyed putting herself into the conversation for a change

As they walked down the street afterward, Tessa noticed that Dennis was the only sober person in their group He kept casting nervous looks at both Tessa and the tio Justin and Mae’s presentation had apparently hit home

They ended up in an area of the city Tessa had never seen A large pillared building loo to its powerful presence "What is that?" she asked

"The House of Senators," said Rhea’s latest boyfriend "How can you not know that?"

E to say that would redee with knows a senator They’re practically best friends" Her foggy brain tried to re"

"Really?" asked Rhea They all looked ionna be consul"

"And he’s hot," added Poppy "The senator, I uy you live with too I don’t have a probleuys, you know"

"Everyone knows that," said Rhea’s boyfriend, eliciting snickers

They walked a fewseveral city blocks "What about this?" Tessa asked