It was still early in the evening when Sisse spotted Sloane across the ballroom. She had just finished speaking with Mr. Orpington and was feeling confident, almost as if she were the belle of the ball. A grin crossed her lips at the sight of her friend. She'd noticed when Sloane appeared at these events she seemed to enjoy them more, which somehow was a relief to Sisse who had always worried how her life would mess with her friends' once they graduated. But even more important than that, it was simply the miracle of having Sloane alive that made Sisse smile.

It was more than just Sloane that made Sisse smile though. It was a conversation on High Street, summer wind caressing her face as she teased Mr. Bixby into coming to this very ball. Her stomach seemed to leap on its toes in excitement when she glanced around the room a second time. Surely Mr. Bixby had come to accompany Sloane as well.

As much as Sisse longed to sidle over to Sloane she always wanted a chance to see Alvin, a chance to see him without Sloane noticing. While she knew there was no future with Alvin, something he'd made clear in the past year, when they spoke it felt like perhaps there could be something. No matter the case she had no idea how to explain it to Sloane. Just how did one approach the subject: oh? While you were dead I fought with her brother, kissed him, and wrote to him? Really it was an awful lot to explain when she didn't even know what her feelings were or even his. And that was the crux of it, she didn't want Alvin to forced into a weird position from that either.

So instead of slipping over to Sloane instead she wove through the crowd and arrived at Alvin's side. "Your curiosity won out!" She preened playfully with a broad smile on her lips. What she really wanted to say was: I'm glad to see you. But there were curious ears around them, better to not say something that might be misinterpreted.