Nicola! Summer, 1981
Mattie pursed her lips to try and hide her laughter. Joseph was being absolutely ridiculous as he mimicked the stuffy crowd of the party. She had waitressed a few events at this hall and usually could have some fun with the guests, but tonight was a rather droll evening. A string quartet provided the music, there had been a few boring speeches earlier, and the dance floor was quite bare. For a wizarding event, Mattie was surprised at how banal it all was.

She remembered the days where this would’ve been her norm. Mattie had slipped some chocolates to a little girl who looked ready to fall asleep and slip under the table earlier, knowing precisely how she felt. Her parents had tried to force her into this lifestyle, but she’d never fit into it, she’d never enjoyed it. After the earthquake...Mattie had decided that she would waste no more time doing anything she didn’t enjoy, and it had been almost a year of being at peace with herself.

“You’re going to get me in trouble,” she said, swatting away his hand away from the hem of her skirt. They’d hidden behind a curtain until dinner was to be served, and while it was fun, Mattie had no desire to get too handsy with the public so close. She jerked away again, this time stepping out from behind the curtain.

Unfortunately, she’d stepped right on the hem of a passerby’s dress, and the sound of a rip struck her ears. Mattie’s hands flew to cover her mouth, “I am so sorry, Miss!”