The Windy City

Matt

I noticed Olivia had her AirPods in and she didn't seem like she wanted to talk, so I just gave her a small smile. She looked beautiful under the street lights. I feel my heart rhythm slowing back down the father we walk away from her. I turn around and see her stopped in front if a place called SunSets. It looks like a quite bar.

"Let's go man! I'm hungry!" Nathan wraps his arm around my neck dragging me back up to the group

"Do you think she knows who you are?" He asks me.

"I don't know. She might." I say looking down as my shoes smash the snow slush on the side walk.

"I think she knew once we started walking up to you two at the bean." Madi looks back at me for a split second.

"Maybe she's in town for our show tomorrow, but didn't want to fan girl out on us. So she ran off." Chris suggests.

They are all gawking at me as we are stopped at our last crossing before we reach our destination. I look away from all of them and down at the slush once again.

I hear the beeps of the signs telling us to walk. I look up and around at each building. The the lights coming from each of them lighting up the city perfectly. Some are apartment buildings, hotels, clubs. I hear music filling the streets as well as the sounds from cars.

"It's right here!" Nick shouts.

I look at the sign on the building of the restaurant. It's called Remingtons and it looks very fancy.

Sitting here with everyone watching them laugh and have a good time makes my heart happy. I love my brothers and my friends so much. This is my family and I can't help but feel so grateful to have all of them in my life.

I catch myself thinking about the people Liv has in her life. Does she have siblings? Friends? Are her parents together or divorced or alive? My stomach starts to turn with the thoughts of her being alone. Completely alone. What if she doesn't have anyone? That would explain why she's not been with anyone each time I have seen her.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!" Pierces my ear drums from the wait staff that appear beside me with a mini chocolate cake and a sparkler candle shoved in the middle. Madi covers her face in embarrassment as nick has his arms around her screaming happy birthday in her ear. I smile as I examine everyone at the table singing happy birthday to her and giggling. She blows out the candle and everyone claps. Her face is flushed, but she looks happy.

"Thank you all for being here and celebrating my birthday with me! This has been such a great day." She says.

You're welcome! You know we love you Madi!" Chris says.

"So where are we going next? Should we go to a bar since we are all 21 now?" Malcom looks around at all of us waiting for us to answer.

"We can go just to check out the atmosphere." I say.

Me and my brothers are 100% sober. We have never drank. We have never done any drugs. Nick and Chris look at me for approval. They know I'm not a fan of huge crowds.

"Fuck it. Let's go." I say scooting out of the booth to let Nate and Chris out.

I have the perfect place in mind.