Joel flashes a panicked smile my way and falls into line beside us.
“I think our project is coming together,” Joel says to Nova.
“What project?” I growl.
Nova looks up at me. “The one we were working on the day he came over to watch Titanic. It’s on macro-photography.”
“What the fuck is that?”
“Basically, it’s photographing really small things and making them look large,” she explains.
“Why do you have to do that together?”
She laughs. “Because our professor hates us.”
“Nah,” Joel pipes in. “I think she’s trying to help us. Every photographer is stronger at something and has a distinct style—so we can all help each other.”
“True,” she agrees.
We finally reach the front of the line, pay, and get stamps on our hands to get in.
The music is loud and the lights flash in different colors.
I follow Nova through the club and to a table our friends have commandeered. It’s a huge U-shaped booth. Nova slides in beside Cade, and I snag the space beside her, which forces Joel to the opposite side beside Thea.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Joel. Joel, this is Thea, Xander, Cade, and of course you know Rae already.”
“Hey.” Joel waves awkwardly, his shoulders hunched. He’s clearly uncomfortable which makes me smile.
“What about Jace?” asks Thea, pointing at me.
“We met outside,” I tell her.
“Oh, right, of course.”
“Can we order some drinks?” I ask. There’s no way I can make it through this night sober.
“Already ahead of you,” Cade says.
About that time a waitress brings a whole tray full of different drinks.
I grab my beer and take large gulp, nearly choking in the process.
Nova gives me a look that says, “Are you okay?” Which I answer with a nod.
“I feel so boring,” Cade comments, sipping his beer, “because I’d much rather be at home sitting on the couch.”
“You’ve officially become an old man,” Thea tells him. “Congratulations.”
Cade drapes his arm over the booth behind Rae. “If being old means I don’t have to go out, then I welcome it.”
“I’m just glad we’re all out together. We don’t go out as a group enough,” Rae adds.
“Speaking of group things,” Thea pipes in. “The Halloween party is next weekend. Please tell me you have costumes figured out.” Her eyes latch onto me and then Nova.
“I have mine,” Nova says. She looks up at me, waiting.
“I’m going as myself,” I mumble. “Real scary costume there.”