When past perfect is optional?

Hi,
Please take a look at this and tell me if the past perfect tenses can be past tenses, eventhough the past perfect tenses would make sequences more clear. I am confused as to under what circumstances we don't absolutely/necessarily have to use a past perfect. When is leaving it for readers to figure out is acceptable?

She often told the lie that she was fluent n English eventhough she had studied (had - OK??) only a little and couldn't write competently. One day, her boss asked her to interprete a meeting with an American who had just arrived (arrived - ok??) from San Francisco. After few awkward moments, she told him she had to go and left.

Anonymous

After few awkward moments, she told him she had to go and left.

It should be "After a few awkward moments..."

Thank you. Does "few awkward moments" cast "few" in negative light, whereas "a few akward moments" cast  "a few" in positive light?

a few apples -- enough apples??
few apples -- not enough apples??

If 'a few' means 'some' as you seemed to have said, when is the use of 'some' appropriate and when is the use of 'a few' appropriate? I seem to have used them without discrimination. Thank you.

Hi, again.

I was using 'a few' and 'few' as best as I can in ligth of the sentential context. To me, if the context is negative, then I should use 'few' and the opposite applies to 'a few'.

Contextual application of 'few' and 'few':

He said a few words words during the discussion. -- positive
He rendered few criticisms during the discussion. -- still, positive, to me, because of the existence of the word 'criticisms'.

May be  I am applying this concept not-so-well. Could you help?