"WHY ARE WE EVEN HERE?" Evelyn's voice cut through the pounding music and flashing lights of the crowded club. She turned to her best friend, Sophie, who was already swaying to the music, seemingly unbothered by Evelyn's question.
"Because you need to have some fun!" Sophie shouted back, her smile as infectious as ever. "You've been cooped up in your apartment for weeks. All you do is write, read, edit. It's time you live a little. Being an author doesn't need to take over your entire life."
Evelyn sighed, letting her gaze wander around the packed club. She felt out of place, her mind still lingering on the not even nearly finished fictional story back home. She took Sophie's outstretched hand, letting herself be led further into the throng of dancing bodies.
"Look, there's a table over there," Sophie said, pointing towards a section roped off from the rest of the club.
Evelyn followed her gaze. "We're not VIPs."
Still, Sophie tugged on her hand. "C'mon."
She followed her to the rope, both of them ducking under it while security wasn't looking, hiding behind a rather large group of men.
When Sophie's gaze didn't drop from the men, Evelyn looked up at them too.
Then, her breath caught in her throat.
"Sophie, that's Alex," Evelyn whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Her heart skipped a beat.
There, in the middle of the group, was Alex Albon. Her childhood best friend. The boy she used to do karting with, the boy she used to race bikes with through the neighbourhood, the boy who promised to be her friend forever before Evelyn moved away with her parents. They hadn't seen each other since they were twelve years old.
"I know," Sophie grinned. "That's why we're here."
Sophie nudged her friend with her elbow but Evelyn remained frozen. She was too caught up thinking about the way Alex would always cheer her up with his silly jokes, their secret hideout in the park, their last hug before she left England. He was taller now, more mature, but his smile was unmistakable. She wondered if he would remember her, if he would still be the same Alex she knew when they were children.
"Sophie," Evelyn whispered, her voice barely audible over the din. "That's- it's Alex Albon."
Sophie laughed at Evelyn's dumbfounded reaction. "Yeah, you've already said."
Before she could process what she was doing, Evelyn's feet carried her towards the group.
Just as she reached the group, about to say, "excuse me", Alex looked up.
