You Belong With Me

The Club

Lana POV

I stood in front of the mirror, the soft glow of my vanity lights illuminating my reflection. I meticulously curled my hair, each strand bouncing to life, and applied a touch of mascara that made my blue eyes pop. Tonight was about reconnecting with my old friends, a chance to escape the pressures of my life, if only for a little while. As I stepped back to assess my look—a fitted black dress that hugged my curves just right—I felt a flicker of excitement.

But as I glanced at my phone, memories from the morning with Wes crept into my mind. His concerned gaze, the electricity of our brief touch, and the warmth that spread through me as we laughed—all of it played on repeat, stirring a whirlwind of emotions inside. I shook my head, trying to banish the thoughts.

"Tonight is about fun," I whispered to myself.

After slipping on my favorite heels, I took one last look in the mirror and decided I was ready to embrace the night ahead. As I grabbed my clutch and headed out, I made a mental note to enjoy myself. I needed this, and I was determined to let go of everything else.

The club was alive with energy when my friends and I arrived. The pulsating lights cast colorful shadows over the crowd, and the music thumped with an infectious beat. I felt the buzz of excitement in the air, a stark contrast to the chaos of my thoughts earlier. Laughter erupted as we navigated through the crowd, each step drawing me further into the present moment.

"Lana! You look amazing!" Jenna exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration. "Let's get you a drink!"

"I'm good for now," I replied, but I felt a surge of happiness. "What's everyone been up to?"

"Same old, same old," Jenna said, rolling her eyes. "School, drama, and the endless search for cute guys. You know how it is."

"Sounds thrilling," I teased, and we all giggled.

As the night progressed, we danced and chatted, the worries of the week melting away with every song. We took turns sharing embarrassing stories and gossiping about crushes. The DJ mixed in tracks from Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift, and soon, the dance floor was filled with us girls singing along, our voices blending into a carefree chorus.

"Okay, Lana," Jenna said, nudging me. "Your turn to share a story. Spill the tea!"

"Fine, but it's not that juicy!" I protested, laughing. "Remember the time we thought we could sneak into that concert?"

"Yeah! We ended up getting caught by security!" Jenna said, bursting into laughter. "I thought we were going to be banned for life!"

"Only you could manage to get caught trying to sneak in," another friend chimed in, shaking her head in disbelief.

I joined in the laughter, my heart swelling with gratitude for the friends surrounding me. In this moment, I felt seen and understood, free to be myself without the weight of expectations.

As we danced, I caught snippets of conversation around us—people talking about college plans, weekend trips, and summer romances. The rhythm of the night washed over me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like the real version of myself. The weight of my relationship, my career, and all the pressures faded, leaving only the joy of friendship and music.

Wes POV

I leaned against the bar, nursing my drink and scanning the crowd. And then, there she was. Lana stood out like a beacon in the dimly lit club, her laughter ringing out above the thumping bass. She looked radiant, the light catching in her hair, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight of her enjoying herself.

As I watched her dance with her friends, I noticed how alive she seemed, how free. It was like she was shedding the weight of the world, and for a moment, all my worries about her vanished. I felt a mix of admiration and longing swell in my chest. She looked so happy, so unburdened.

I wanted to join her, to tell her how great it was to see her this way, but something held me back. I wasn't sure if she wanted me there. I thought about the last time we had been together, how she had seemed distant, like she was hiding something beneath her surface. But tonight, under the flashing lights, she looked like the girl I had known in high school, the one who was unapologetically herself.

Then the DJ dropped a familiar track—a song she had written. The crowd erupted in cheers, and I felt my heart race. It was one of her hits, and I couldn't help but think about how she had poured her heart into that song. I remembered the whispers of our shared past and the moments we had almost crossed the line into something more.

The energy in the room was electric, and I wanted to share that with her. I thought about walking over, wrapping her in my arms, and telling her how beautiful she looked. But I also understood that this was her moment, and I didn't want to intrude on her joy.

Watching her now, I felt a sense of pride swell within me. She was shining—her laughter, her movements, everything about her radiated joy. I thought back to our past, the connection we had shared. There was a part of me that wanted to protect her from whatever struggles lay behind those smiles. I wanted to be the one she could lean on, the one who could help her navigate the chaos of life.

As the night wore on, I found myself rooted to my spot, unable to tear my gaze away. It was refreshing to see the authentic Lana—the girl who chased her dreams and danced like nobody was watching. The girl I had fallen for all those years ago.

But I also sensed the distance that still lingered between us. I wondered if she remembered the way we used to be, if she felt the same pull toward me that I felt for her. The uncertainty gnawed at me as I realized that, despite everything, I still cared deeply for her.

Just then, she caught my eye, and for a brief moment, it felt like the world around us faded away. My heart raced as I considered the possibility of reaching out to her, of crossing that invisible line we had both drawn. But before I could make a move, she turned away, laughter bubbling over with her friends.

I sighed, torn between wanting to approach her and fearing I might disrupt the happiness she had found in this moment. With one last lingering look, I slipped out of the club, my mind racing. I needed to find a way to help her uncover the truth of who she was again, even if it meant standing back for now.

I was determined to be there for her, to show her that she didn't have to face her struggles alone. I just hoped that when the time was right, she would let me in.