Just Sh*t: A New York City Story

Chapter 51: In the Footsteps of Friendship

As Jamie hears Alex excitedly recount how Tom Holland came to the party, his heart sinks deeper into his stomach. Alex's eyes gleam with excitement as he relays the details. "Dude, you won't believe it! Tom Holland is even cooler in person! He was just hanging out, cracking jokes—total legend!"

Ryan adds fuel to the fire, boasting about the great conversation he had with Tom. "Yeah, it was awesome! He's so down to earth," Ryan says, clearly still buzzing from the encounter.

Alex nods vigorously. "I asked him about Spider-Man, and he was all like, 'It's a blast, but also a lot of responsibility!' I mean, how relatable is that? It was surreal!"

Jamie's heart sinks even further as he listens, envy twisting in his gut. He can't help but feel left out. "I need some fresh air," Jamie mutters, excusing himself from the group. He strides out of the apartment, trying to shake off the gnawing feeling of disappointment.

He makes his way to Mira's house, arriving out of breath but determined. When she opens the door, surprise flickers across her face, but it quickly softens into understanding. "Hey! What's up? You look like you just ran a marathon," she jokes, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"More like a sprint from my own party," Jamie replies with a half-hearted chuckle. "You in the mood for a run?"

Her appearance suggests she'd rather stay cozy in bed, but she nods. "Not in the slightest, but for you, I'll make an exception—just this once."

A few minutes later, with her hair pulled up and no makeup on, they head out into the chilly air. They jog around Central Park, the quiet morning contrasting sharply with the raucous energy of the night before. Silence settles between them, comfortable yet filled with unspoken words, a familiar pattern in their relationship.

After running three miles, they pause at a bench, catching their breath. Jamie watches his breath form clouds in the cold air, feeling the weight of his earlier disappointment. "I feel awful, you know? They basically stole my night and didn't even apologize," he admits, the words spilling out as he leans back against the bench.

Mira considers this, tilting her head. "I get it, but they probably feel bad about it, too. If you ask Alex, I'm sure he'll admit it."

"Yeah, but they're still riding the high from last night," Jamie replies, frustration creeping into his voice.

"True," she nods, "but so should you! It was a big night, even if your experience wasn't perfect. You should try to enjoy yourself, even if it didn't go how you wanted."

Jamie takes a moment to absorb her words, gratitude washing over him. "Thanks, Mira. You always know what to say," he replies, smiling softly.

After a brief pause, they get back up, lacing their shoes tight again, and start running once more, the rhythm of their feet hitting the pavement a soothing distraction from the tumult of the previous night. As they continue their run, Jamie feels the weight on his chest lift slightly, buoyed by the support of someone who understands him.