𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋

The bass thumped through the floor, vibrating up through my feet as I watched Jared sway to the music, sipping on his cocktail with the kind of carefree energy I wished I could share. His laughter was contagious, but tonight it felt like I was somewhere else entirely.

The dance floor was packed with girls dressed in iconic 90s fashion, some wore high-waisted jeans paired with crop tops that showed just enough midriff, while others rocked slip dresses in bold, vibrant colors. There were girls in metallic mini skirts and platform sneakers, their outfits sparkling in the dim, colorful lighting. Chunky heels, butterfly clips, and chokers completed their looks, each detail an ode to the decade's playful and rebellious spirit.

Despite the energy around me, I couldn't shake the feeling of being disconnected, watching it all play out from a distance, my mind somewhere far away. The opening beats of "Throb" by Janet Jackson hit, and it was like the air in the room shifted. My pulse quickened at the sound, the track sending a rush of memories through me. It was another reminder of her, of that night on the dance floor when I first felt her eyes on me. The heat between us, the electricity in the air, came flooding back with every pulsating beat.

I sat at the table with Jared, the music thumping all around us, but my thoughts were a storm of confusion. I wanted Janet so badly, craved her in a way that felt overwhelming, but every thought of her brought with it the sting of guilt. Emily was back at home, probably thinking of me, trusting me, and here I was tangled up in this secret desire. I knew in my heart that I would leave Emily for Janet in a heartbeat if it came to that, but the real question haunted me, would Janet do the same for me? Would she leave Rene, her stable, public relationship, for what we had?

I glanced at the dance floor, just a few feet away, the same place where I met Janet. It was there that our connection sparked, our bodies moving in sync, the rest of the world fading away in the heat of the moment. Now, as I watched strangers dance in that very spot that had brought us together, I wondered if she was thinking of me too. Or if I was just another moment in a sea of fleeting passions.

The beat of "Throb" echoed in my chest, but the rhythm felt different now. The same excitement that had once made me feel alive now made me feel trapped, caught between two worlds I couldn't reconcile.

Jared tossed his hands in the air, letting loose to "Throb" as if it was his anthem. His little cropped shirt was a bold statement, his way of expressing himself, but I knew how the world outside was much colder. Outside, he wore his jacket, shielding himself from the harsh words men like him had to face at night.

He turned to me, his joy dimming when he caught my expression. "What's the matter with you?" he asked, his voice breaking through the music's pulse.

"I'm just not in the mood to dance...to Janet Jackson," I said, tossing a fry from our shared tray. Jared laughed, but I didn't.

"Damn, what did Janet do to you?" he asked, still amused.

I shifted in my chair, feeling the weight of everything that had been left unsaid. His question about Emily brought my gaze back to the dance floor, where women moved against each other to the rhythm. "Things are good," I lied, my voice distant.

Jared wasn't buying it. "Come on, tell me the truth, Mariah. You're oddly quiet tonight."

I rolled my eyes, feeling the guilt creep in. "I love Emily, but I don't see myself with her...forever." The confession felt heavy coming out. I could barely look at him.

"Really?" Jared didn't seem surprised. He shrugged. "Yeah, we're Sagittarius. We don't like getting tied down for too long."

"No, this isn't about no zodiac bullshit, Jared," I snapped, raising my voice over the music. His playful demeanor shifted. "I'm sorry I yelled."