Hilda walked up to Maria and took her hand. "Maria, you're really pretty. I've heard Jared and Mr. Chance mention you. I just never had the chance to meet you." Maria smiled. "Hilda, you look stunning yourself."
Jared pointed to a bespectacled colleague in the corner. "This is Troy. We're on the same team. Nice to meet you!"
Hilda smiled and extended her hand. Troy, blushing, stammered, "The pleasure is mine," as he gently shook her hand. His reaction caused everyone to laugh. Soon, they were singing and drinking merrily, many toasting Jared and challenging his drinking capacity.
Realizing the situation, Hilda shielded Jared. "At this rate, he'll be drunk in no time. I'll drink in his place." She downed a mug of beer. The men, thinking she'd be easily incapacitated, were surprised when, despite drink after drink, Hilda showed no signs of intoxication. With thirty empty beer bottles at her feet, and everyone else flushed and unsteady, they were astonished. Even Jared looked at her in disbelief. No one expected such a demure-looking girl to be such a heavy drinker.
Zayne intervened, "All right, let's sing instead of drinking non-stop." Otherwise, everyone but Hilda would have been drunk.
"Hilda, you're an amazing drinker," Maria remarked, her eyes filled with envy and astonishment.
Hilda smiled. "Unfortunately, that's the only thing I'm good at."
Lydia, sitting beside Hilda, exclaimed, "Hilda, you're awesome! If I could drink like that, no one would dare challenge me!"
"Lydia, you can improve your tolerance with practice. I'll teach you next time. Besides, I like how our last names are similar," Hilda replied cheerfully.
The three women quickly became best friends. After a few drinks, Lydia asked candidly, "Hilda, you're pretty and kind. How did you end up interested in Jared? He seems like an annoying country bumpkin to me."
Jared, sitting quietly, chatted occasionally with Troy, clearly out of his element.
Hilda calmly replied, "Lydia, Jared's a good guy. I grew up with him. You just don't know him well yet." Lydia, understanding Hilda's calm demeanor, dropped the subject. She took the microphone and suggested, "Let's sing a song!"