The color that had risen up to Dia's cheeks drains at once when her phone begins to buzz. Oh no. Oh no, no no. Dia is not one tenth as adept when it comes to keeping level off-text. What is she going to say? She didn't think this through at all! And with Mari being Mari, she may well keep calling until daybreak if Dia doesn't pick up!

Screwing her eyes shut with a deep, steadying inhale, Dia goes to face her destiny.

"Wh-what is it? Did you exhaust your supply of ridiculous smiley faces?"