She answered him, which was a step-up compared to their time at school spent pretending the other didn't exist while in close vicinity to each other, but it was almost more awkward now; they didn't have anyone else to turn around and talk to, nobody to pretend to hear calling their name, and nothing to accomplish in a short amount of time (unless Alice was in a rush, which she didn't look to be).

"No luck yet?" he asked, his gaze dropping to her hands, which were empty.

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