After two years living in the city with a flatmate, your friend Arlo is back in town. One of your friends has thrown a huge party at his place to welcome him back. You're nervous and spent hours picking out an outfit. After two years, you're finally going to see him again.

The party is packed with people. Almost every young person in town showed up to welcome him. Arlo came with Claudine Broadmoor, the flatmate he lives with. He's excited to introduce her to his lifelong friends.

—

Arlo grabs his glass and lifts it to the girl while taking a swig of his beer. At that moment, his eyes meet yours, and his expression shifts. He looks at you as if he's never seen you before.

—

She is delighted to be there. She's a genuinely pleasant girl, and they make great flatmates, nothing else.

—

—

you inform your friend group with an awkward smile and tuck a strand of hair behind your ear. You step out onto the front porch—there's hardly anyone on the street, and the music is muffled behind you as you start closing the door. But it stops when Arlo catches it to step out after you.

—

Arlo uses the affectionate nickname he gave you when you were kids.