The Night We Met
by Abby Jimenez
Contents
24: Chris
Overview
Chris quietly cares for Larissa at Greg and Joy’s party, finding nut-safe food while Mike spirals into a humiliating drunk. Jesse and Becca take Mike home, and Chris shields Larissa from details, driving her instead.
On a late-night detour for Larissa’s secret-shop billboard photos, they share music, deepening their bond as Chris resolves to support her without being asked.
Summary
At Greg and Joy’s party, Chris finds Larissa in the library with a cat and notices she hasn’t eaten. He tracks down the caterer, confirms nut-safe options, and brings her food, frustrated that Mike hadn’t checked the menu given her allergy.
Jesse interrupts to report Mike is severely drunk—after shots, boasting, and peeing himself before jumping into the pool. Jesse and Becca will take Mike home. Chris shields Larissa from the worst details, insists she not ride with Mike, and offers to drive her.
On the way, Larissa asks for a detour to photograph a Toilet King billboard for a secret-shop job. They wait until after 11 p.m., discuss Tony and job stability, and exchange playlists, bonding over music.
As they complete the photo and consider more billboard requests, Chris reflects on past what-ifs and recognizes Larissa’s reluctance to accept help. He silently commits to making her life easier and being consistently dependable without asking for credit.
Who Appears
- ChrisPOV; secures nut-safe food for Larissa, intervenes to protect her from drunk Mike, drives her, and vows to quietly support her.
- LarissaOverstimulated and hungry at the party; enjoys safe food, does secret-shop billboard photos, shares music, leans on Chris’s steadiness.
- MikeGets wasted at the party, does shots, urinates himself, jumps in the pool; is taken home by friends.
- JesseAlerts Chris to Mike’s drunken meltdown and coordinates driving Mike home with Becca.
- BeccaHelps Jesse extract Mike from the party and get him home.