It was Peter's first student party ever. He had started his first year at the university just a few weeks earlier, and he came to the party a bit reluctantly. He thought he had enough to do with his studies, but as everyone, like his parents and student tutors, emphasised how important it's to have some social life, he had decided to attend. And probably they are right, it wouldn't harm to make some friends, he thought.

The party was in a student house with a large cafe converted into a party area. The student union had set up a stall selling snacks and drinks. It was still early when Peter arrived, but there were students gathering up already. He tried to look for people he knew from his class but couldn't see any familiar faces. He also felt a bit shy to join any of the groups of strangers. Most people were dressed up, and Peter felt underdressed. Why nobody warned that smart casual is more smart than casual?

Peter bough a beer and wandered around. There was a backyard serving as a temporary beer garden, and he decided to check it out. As the weather was a bit chilly, the backyard was not very crowded. He found a quiet table to sit down and sip his beer.

In the other end of the table, there was a young woman sitting alone with a bottle of cider. Like most of the students, she was probably in her early twenties. She had a red hair and a bit round, kind face, and she was dressed casually, wearing sneakers, jeans, and a hoodie. As she saw Peter sitting down, she smiled and moved next to him.

"Can I join you here?" the girl asked.

"Yeah, why not."

"My name is Ann, are you new here?"

"Yes, I just started my studies at the university, and I don't know anyone," he stopped and realised he forgot something, "oh, my name is Peter. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you, too," said Ann, and her smile got even bigger. Her teeth looked pretty and white. Naturally white, not unnaturally shining white like in toothpaste advertisements.

"You look stunning," Peter said.

"How so? I didn't plan to come here in the first place, and when I decided to come it was already late and I didn't have time to dress up properly."

"I don't think you need to dress up with a smile like that," Peter said. It was a completely spontaneous compliment, and he immediately regretted what he said. He wasn't experienced with women, and he didn't want to sound too eager. Luckily, Ann didn't seem to mind.

"What exactly you like in my smile?" she asked.

"It looks so natural and effortless, like you were born with it."

"Do you like my teeth?"

Peter was surprised by the question. Ann's front teeth in the middle were large and round with smooth curvy edges, looking very cute to Peter. However, his attention was drawn even more to her premolar with an unnatural grey tone, just like teeth of older people with silver fillings. Peter wondered, could it be possible that Ann had amalgam in her teeth? It wasn't usual for someone in her age, as most dentists only used white fillings for young patients.

"Yeah, I like your teeth. They look strong and beautiful," Peter said.

Ann laughed, then she got more serious.

"Actually, my teeth are not so good. I think I have a cavity. I can feel it when I drink my cold cider. Could you have a look for me?" she asked and pointed to the lower side of her left cheek with her finger.

"Of course, if you wish."

Peter felt strange excitement and tingles in her stomach. Ann opened her mouth carefully so that Peter could see her lower arch of teeth in full. First, he noticed a small dark filling in her lower first molar on the right side. It wasn't just his imagination; she had silver fillings indeed! But it was the left side he was supposed to check. The teeth on the left looked sound, except that there seemed to be a small dark spot in the first molar.

"Yeah... it looks like there might be a cavity. But the light here is too dim to see clearly."

"Yes, I think so. Do you want to go to my place? I have a flashlight so you can have a better view."

"Are you sure you want to invite me to your home? We just met ten minutes ago."

"Yeah, you look nice, I don't think you are a bad guy. And it's just a five minutes’ walk."

Before Peter even realised what was happening, Ann had grasped his hand and led him out of the student house, and they were walking hand in hand towards Ann's apartment.