You're My Safe Place

"Same time next week?"

Ashley's grip on Brooklynn's hand only tightens as she ushers her through the club.

"What's the rush Ash?"

She merely looks back at the girl whipping her blond hair and rolls her eyes.

Expertly making their way through bodies and around booths revealing just how often they visit the club. This route can be taken with their eyes closed.

Soon Brooklynn is met with the chill of New York air, it may not be fresh so to speak, but it's definitely better than being in there, she thought.

Meanwhile Timothée is left on the bench pondering his interaction with the beautiful brown eyed girl. Time slowed down as they talked but somehow it felt like only minutes separated the time in which he startled her to her friend whisking her away before he could ask for her number.

He wanted to see her again, he wanted to feel what he felt in her presence again. He was so at peace. Just as his mind began to relax into the memories of their conversation he noticed something in the corner of his eye.

The lighter.

She had left it behind after all.

He quickly picked it up as if someone could take it away at any moment. Holding it gently in his hands.

***

"What we're you doing all night Brooklynn? I feel like you always disappear!" Ashley whined taking down her tight pony tail with a groan when they are secured in the uber.

"Oh you know me... I just needed some space" She sighed looking out the window watching the cars go by in the city that never sleeps.

Ashley was a good friend to Brooklynn. She was always there when she needed her, and she pushed her to do things out of her comfort zone. She's always wanted the best for her but for some reason Brooklynn struggles with opening up.

For all of her childhood Brooklynn lived in a small town in the country. She was with the same kids from elementary all the way to high school, and she absolutely hated it. She was the only black girl for a long time, she knew they weren't trying to make her feel different but they couldn't help it. So she spent a lot of time alone and when she did make friends she tried more to be who they needed her to be than she tried to be herself.

She'd always been a great listener so that's what she did. She would listen, give advice, speak when someone asked her something, but until those moments she stayed in the shadows. Moving to the city changed her outlook. For the first time ever people found her beautiful and she truly felt it. She loves New York but the introvert in her can still appreciate a bench outside of a busy club where she can be safe in her own company.

She still couldn't grasp why talking with Timothée came so easy to her. It almost scared her to think that she could've sat there for hours more if Ashley hadn't called.

"You alright?" Simone, Brooklynn's other friend, asked from the front seat gently stroking her leg.

"Yea m'fine" Brooklynn mumbled with a slight smile.

Ashley, Simone, and Brooklynn often found themselves in this situation. A friday night with alcohol or weed in their system, in a quiet uber on their way home.

It was relaxing, Brooklynn loved the both of them more than she could say. They were the first friends she met when she moved here. They went to NYU when she did and introduced her to the modeling agency that they were signed with. Something Brooklynn never thought she'd do but has grown to love. They'd been tight ever since, and they share an apartment in Hell's kitchen because as Simone says "That rent money is a bitch"