5 words: sometimes, couple, already, drink, unaware
"Sometimes, I--" Nevi started. He looked down when Mata took a sip from her drink. She seemed unaware that he had already tried to start a conversation a couple of times.
Nevi fell into a confused silence. She had invited him to join her here. This was her idea. Was she trying to torment him? He looked away from their tiny table, and fidgeted. The crowd all around was ignoring him as thoroughly as Mata was.
And he couldn't leave, either. Mata had driven them here.
Write about being deceived or mistaken about something
About an hour later, Mata gave herself a bit of a shake, smiled at Nevi, and finished the rest of her drink.
"Sorry about that, I was a bit distracted. Want to dance?"
"Er." Nevi said.
"Great." Mata dragged him away from the table, and started dancing in front of him.
Nevi stood awkwardly where she had left him, and watched.
Finally, he spoke. "Why?" he said nervously.
"Why what?" Mata seemed in a good mood, and not offended.
"Why did you ignore me for over an hour?"
"Oh my." Mata's eyes got big. "Was it that long? I'm sorry, I was just a bit distracted. I tend to be before I get a drink or two into me."
Use the phrase "in the style of ..."
"It's like you were somewhere else." Nevi continued, his words bolder now that she wasn't angry with him.
"I do tend to zone out. I'm sorry, Nevi," she repeated, reaching out and touching his shoulder.
Like a friend, Nevi thought, not in the style of somebody who was actually interested.
Mata continued. "Please don't tell people. I'm terribly embarrassed about that habit of mine. You have my full attention now." She smiled and took his hand. "What would you like to do with it?"
