Patch doesn't really feel much like going to a party, which is a huge part of the reason she forces herself to go. She's sad, missing Diego, missing home, missing everything. Normally, she'd love the idea of a mixer, of creating a sense of connection within the group. She knows this, logically, and she hates that her first impulse this time is to skip it.

So she makes up her mind to go and meet people. Which turns out to be a little harder than a person might think. Conversation. She's out of practice. Has she spoken to anyone these last few weeks? She makes herself a plate, because it's what you do. When someone who has clearly been through the buffet already comes up next to her, she pastes a smile she doesn't feel on her face and nods at the trays. "What's the best thing you've tried so far?"

After the food, she helps herself to a drink, which is far too sweet and not nearly alcoholic enough. She can do this. She sits herself down near the edge of the activity and watches people, nibbles on snacks, sips her drink, and wonders when she's going to start feeling like herself again. Fake it til you make it, right?