“You went to college?” Amber’s face lit up. That had never been a possibility—not with her grades and not with her family’s serious lack of finances. Still, it was cool that Chloe had gone, but Amber imagined that made it even more of a kick in the pants to be here now. Chloe had a big family and a life outside of here; it didn’t seem fair that she should be in this place now. Amber smiled at Chloe’s story, finding the whole thing rather charming; they both came from big families, but their experiences were so, so different. “Scott sounds… uh, intense?” Amber laughed.
She grinned and looked at her new friend somewhat playfully as she leaned over the counter. “You don’t like a party?” Amber’s face was becoming even brighter as an idea began to form. “Maybe we should throw one? They’ve done that here, before. I’ve gone to a few. It wouldn’t have to be big or anythin’. Just fun? For us, and our friends? I dunno. It’s just a thought. Could give us somethin’ to do.” And it might give Chloe an opportunity for something new, and also give her something to keep her mind on.
Chloe’s willingness to share seemed like a perfect indication of how kind the other girl was. Amber was unbelievably happy they had met. “Thanks,” she snapped off a piece and popped it in her mouth. Her manager was going to be wildly annoyed.
“No proper boyfriend,” Amber shook her head. “Honestly? You ain’t missing too much. I do miss the kids, though.” She shrugged, not understanding why that might be a strange statement. “I went to a wedding where the first dance was to a Backstreet Boys song. Child!Chloe was on the right track.”