The evening stars

The bar

The bar clearly did not belong to the category of cheap spots where students drop by for a free fifth drink. Massive wooden doors, subdued lighting, the absence of glaring neon lights — all of this spoke to the establishment's status. The bar didn't need ostentatious extravagance; it attracted guests with its atmosphere and sophistication.

They arrived at the bar a little earlier than scheduled. Alex noticed Sophie standing at the entrance. She looked beautiful: in a dark blue dress that accentuated her figure and a light coat. Her hair fell in soft waves, and a light smile played on her lips. Sophie stood at the entrance, looking out for Rachel, and her eyes wandered around. At that moment, she turned her head and their eyes met.

It seemed as if time had stopped. Alex felt the air in the car become denser, as if an invisible thread had formed between them, stretching and vibrating. He couldn't take his eyes off. In her eyes, he saw so much — embarrassment, hope, uncertainty. Sophie also couldn't take her eyes off him, forgetting everything around her. This moment seemed endless to them.

Her attention was diverted by Rachel, who had quietly approached Sophie while she was lost in her thoughts.

— Hello! — Rachel exclaimed, lightly touching her friend's hand.

Sophie flinched and quickly averted her gaze from Alex, as if trying to hide that something had happened. She looked at Rachel, smiling a little tensely, trying to hide her embarrassment.

— Oh, hi! — Sophie replied, taking a step back to hide how surprised she was. — I didn't notice when you came over.

Rachel laughed.

— Don't be embarrassed, we all often get lost in our thoughts.

Meanwhile, Alex opened the car door and stepped outside, trying to remain calm.

— Hi, Sophie, — he said with a slight smile. — I hope you have a great evening.

— Are you with us too? — Sophie suddenly asked, looking at Alex.

— No, — he replied, smiling slightly. — But I think I'll come in an hour to pick up Rachel.

Rachel raised her eyebrows in surprise and looked at him.

— Really? I wasn't even aware of your plans, — she said, crossing her arms over her chest. A slight note of irritation sounded in her voice.

Sophie laughed nervously, trying to lighten the atmosphere that had suddenly become tense. She understood that Alex's presence could escalate the situation, and she didn't want to witness a potential argument.

— Well, I'm sure we'll have time to drink a couple of cocktails and discuss everything before you arrive, — Sophie quickly interjected, taking Rachel by the arm and heading with her towards the massive wooden doors of the bar. — Let's go, we have so many topics to talk about!

Rachel cast one last glance at Alex, shrugged, and let Sophie draw her inside. Alex watched them go, feeling a strange mix of jealousy and anxiety. As soon as they disappeared behind the doors, he returned to the car, but instead of leaving, he stayed in the parking lot, watching the entrance to the bar.

Inside the bar, it was cozy and intimate. Several areas, each with its own atmosphere: a long bar counter made of polished wood, where the bartender skillfully juggled bottles and glasses; a section with tables, where couples or small groups quietly chatted; and a dance floor bathed in soft light, where the first brave souls had already begun to move to the sounds of unobtrusive music.

Sophie and Rachel walked past the tables and headed straight to the bar counter. They sat on high leather-upholstered stools and both ordered a whiskey on the rocks. Sophie noticed that Rachel was slightly nervous, glancing at the entrance. Sophie felt a bit out of place, but she tried not to show it.

— You look amazing, — Sophie said, smiling at her friend and trying to steer the conversation in a positive direction.

— Thank you, — Rachel replied, taking a sip of whiskey. — I needed to get out of the house, to clear my head. You know, Chicago seems to be my hometown, but right now I feel like a stranger here.

— I understand, returning is always difficult, especially after getting used to another place, — Sophie replied, taking a sip of her drink. She felt warmth spreading through her body, calming her nerves a bit.

Rachel nodded, her gaze became distant.

— Sometimes I feel like I'm no longer the person I used to be, that I've lost myself in all this chaos, — she confessed, looking into her glass. — It's as if I no longer know what I really want.

Sophie looked at her friend with understanding. She knew that the move had not come easily for Rachel, that she missed the life she was accustomed to.

— Everything is still ahead, Rachel. Maybe this move is an opportunity to find something new, to rethink what you really want. And... — Sophie paused, smiling slightly. — Today we are here to have fun and relax, not to think about problems.

Rachel smiled in response, feeling a bit more relaxed.

— Yes, you're right, — she said. — Let's make this evening special.