new york, baby [h.s.]

chapter two

While New York and I had not yet gotten used to each other, and had certainly not had the pleasure of getting to know each other on a personal level, there was something I knew I had always loved about the city, something that gravitated me to it. Growing up, I had read about the incredible things that happened here, and of the people that flocked here to experience these things. The energy the people brought to is what drew me here in the first place. I was still not used to the pace at which the people of New York ran every day, but I had always found the depictions of the nightlife to be particularly exciting.

There was no way of knowing what the night would bring, and so I pushed out the anxious predictions of tonight's outcome I had conjured in my brain and took a deep breath, holding Sid close to me. We had to take a cab to get to the bar where we were meeting Luke's friends, and I was grateful for the rush of cold air that met my face before we went inside, drinking it into my lungs as much as I could. From hearing Sidney and Luke's endless stories of their wild nights out, I was certain that this would not be the only place we stopped tonight, but I mentally prepared myself for that on the way here. Being an introvert and living in New York City seems like a bad combination, but I was not about to let it stop me from staying out till the bars closed down. I was as determined as Sid to stay out with everyone and not think about it too much. She was right, I needed this. I needed to actually experience life, not just hole myself up at work or at home in a city much bigger than my hometown. I tried to push down the feeling of longing that came up at the thought of them.

"God, this place is cool," I said in Sid's ear loudly. The bar we were at was apparently a jazz bar and had several live performances every night. It had old wooden floors, plush velvet chairs, a dazzling chandelier that cast a warm glow over everyone, and a small stage with a piano and a beautiful bass sitting propped up, ready to be played. It seemed the band was in the middle of an intermission when the three of us arrived.

A group of tables were pushed into a cluster close to the front of the stage, and Luke's friends were spread around them, cheering with delight upon spotting us. Luke embraced several of them and Sid gave some warm regards, introducing me around the group. I had met a few of them before, but politely allowed Sid to reintroduce me. I recognized Calum and Daisy from another night out some time ago, and Daisy seemed to remember me. She also seemed to be quite drunk already, throwing her arms around me in a tight embrace, nearly causing me to topple over. I laughed, hugging her back.

"Willow, it's so good to see you, babe!" She exclaimed loudly in my ear. She pulled away, holding me at arm's length. "God, you look gorgeous. I love your outfit."

I beamed at her, my cheeks warming. "Thank you so much, you look incredible too. And, uh, Sid actually got to play dress up with me since I barely had any going out clothes in my closet."

"Sid is so gonna be a fucking millionaire fashion designer one day," Daisy said earnestly. I giggled with her and sat down at her table with her boyfriend. She leaned against Calum's shoulder and he kissed her on the head tenderly.

"So, Willow," Calum began, pausing to take long pull of his beer. "We haven't seen much of you around. You've gotta come out with us more. We started a tradition for bar hopping and it always starts here. The music is incredible, just gives you so much energy for the night."

I nodded in agreement shrugging out of my coat before I answered him. "I know, I know, I've gotta get out more. This place is really cool, I'm excited to hear the band."

"Will, are you gonna go home early like last time?" Daisy asked, pouting. She batted her eyelashes at me and I laughed, bracing a hand on her arm.

"Not a chance, gorgeous, I'm staying out with y'all till the bars all close down, I promise."

Daisy beamed at me, flashing me her perfect teeth. She really could be a model, honestly. I was about to compliment what she was wearing again, but I was interrupted by a hand coming in front of my face holding a bottle of beer. Sid took the seat next to me, followed by Luke, who took a seat next to Calum. They immediately dove into conversation.