#Chapter 54: An Unexpected Encounter

Just as everything felt like it would be unbearable, James appeared in the sea of people, making his way over to us.

"Oh, there's James!" I said to Lucas, hitting his arm to get his attention.

James waved at us as he made his way over to our table. He wore a sleek, black suit that fit him perfectly, and I couldn't help but be shocked at how polished and professional he looked.

It was weird in a good way – a stark contrast to his usual laid-back and goofy demeanor.

"Hey, guys!" he greeted us with a grin. "Dang, you both clean up pretty nicely."

Lucas chuckled and replied, "Thanks, James. You're looking sharp yourself."

"Yeah, who knew James could rock a suit so well?" I teased, earning a playful glare from him.

"I clean up nicely when I want to," James said, feigning seriousness before breaking into a grin.

We all laughed, and the tension from earlier seemed to dissipate. It felt good to be around friends who could always bring a sense of lightness to an otherwise overwhelming night.

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