67|A Night Out

Mia pushed open the door to the flower shop, expecting the usual warmth and light scent of fresh blooms—but the atmosphere felt heavy.

Too heavy.

She frowned, glancing around.

"Why does this place feel colder than usual? Did the Wicked Witch of the West visit—"

She stopped mid-sentence.

Because Sophie didn't laugh.

Didn't even crack a smile.

She sat at the counter, aimlessly fiddling with flowers, her usual vibrant energy completely drained.

Mia's heart sank. So, things with Ethan still hadn't gotten better.

Mia exchanged a glance with Lily, who was arranging a display near the window.

Lily gave a small nod—

A silent, telepathic agreement.

Sophie needed a distraction.

Mia took a breath and pressed forward.

"Soph!" Mia greeted, forcing an upbeat tone as she approached the counter. "How are you today?"

Sophie shrugged, not looking up from the flowers. "I'm fine," she mumbled.

A flat lie.

Her voice held none of its usual warmth.

Mia's fingers tapped the counter.

Fine. If Sophie wasn't going to talk about it, then Mia was going to force some kind of change.

"Okay, well, I was thinking," Mia said, casually leaning against the counter,

"Dani's having her birthday party tonight at The Clover Lounge. I know it's not exactly our scene, but I think it could be fun. We could all use a drink, right?"

Sophie finally lifted her head, eyes dull and tired. ""A club?" she repeated, like the idea held no appeal whatsoever. "I don't know, Mia. I'm not really in the mood."

"I get it," Mia said gently.

"But maybe that's exactly why you should go."

She hesitated, then continued carefully—

"It'll be good to get out, be around friends, and just... let loose a little. I know things have been rough, but maybe this will help."

Lily chimed in, trying to sound more enthusiastic. "Yeah, Soph. A few drinks, some dancing—it could be fun! We can all just hang out and not worry about anything for a while."

Sophie stared at them.

She knew they were trying.

Knew they were doing what good friends should.

But deep down—she didn't think anything could make her feel better.

Still.

The thought of going home alone, moping over Ethan, wasn't any better.

She let out a heavy sigh.

"Fine. I'll go. Whatever."

Mia and Lily exchanged another worried glance, but they didn't push.

Instead, Mia grinned, determined to keep the mood light.

"Great! We'll pick you up at eight. It'll be fun, I promise."

*******

The pulsing bass of the music hit them the moment they stepped inside, flashing lights illuminating the packed club.

Sophie already felt exhausted.

Mia led the way through the crowd, quickly spotting Dani at a reserved table, laughing and surrounded by friends.

"Happy birthday, Dani!" Mia shouted over the music, pulling her into a hug.

"Thanks, Mia! I'm so glad you all came!" Dani beamed.

Sophie gave Dani a quick hug, trying to muster up the warmth she usually had.

But she knew.

It wasn't enough.

And thankfully, Dani didn't seem to notice.

Sophie hated this.

Hated that she felt like she was moving through a fog.

Hated that she still couldn't stop thinking about Ethan.

She was tired of thinking about him.

Tired of hurting.

Mia nudged her, bringing her back to the present.

"Come on, Soph. Let's get some drinks."

They made their way to the bar, where Mia immediately ordered a round of shots.

She lifted her glass, grinning.

"Here's to Dani! And to forgetting all our worries tonight!"

Sophie stared at her shot glass.

And for the first time in a long time—

She wanted to forget.

She tilted her head back and took the shot.

The burn seared down her throat—a welcome distraction, numbing the pain she'd been carrying for far too long.

Before the others could even react, she flagged down the bartender for another.

"Sophie, take it easy," Lily said cautiously.

Sophie just shook her head.

"Don't worry about me," she slurred slightly. "I'm just... trying to have a good time, like you wanted."

Mia and Lily exchanged a look. A look that screamed this is not what we wanted.

It didn't take long before Sophie was far beyond her limit. She stumbled through the crowded space, her laughter too loud, her balance unsteady.

She was usually a good dancer.

Tonight her movements were off, her feet barely keeping up with the music.

"Sophie, maybe we should sit down for a bit," Mia suggested, reaching for her arm.

"No, no, I'm fine!" Sophie waved her off, her glassy eyes wide. "I'm having a great time!"

But her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Her laughter was hollow.

And Mia's heart ached.

The drinks kept coming.

And at some point—

Laughter turned to tears.

Sophie leaned against the bar, her body barely able to hold itself up, her chest rising and falling in uneven gasps.

"I miss him," she choked out.

Her voice broke.

Her fingers clutched at the fabric of her dress like she was holding herself together.

"I miss him so much, and I don't know what to do."

Mia was at her side in an instant, wrapping an arm around her trembling frame.

"I know, Soph," she whispered, holding her tight. "I know."

"It's going to be okay. Let's get you home, alright?"

But Sophie just shook her head.

Too drunk to understand.

Too broken to care.

"I don't want to go home."

Her voice cracked.

"I want Ethan."

A sharp sting of guilt ran through Mia.

"I want him to hold me," Sophie sobbed, "and tell me everything's going to be okay."

Mia looked at Lily, her chest tightening.

"We need to get her out of here."

Lily nodded quickly.

"Can you call Ethan? I'll get her some water."

Mia hesitated—

A flicker of resentment bubbling in her chest.

She didn't want to call Ethan.

Didn't want to give him the chance to swoop in like some savior when he was the one who broke Sophie in the first place.

But Sophie needed him.

Damn it, she needed him.

Mia exhaled sharply, pulling out her phone.

Ethan, you better get here fast.

Lily hurried to the bar, grabbing a glass of water.

But when she returned, Sophie barely looked at it.

She shook her head weakly, her limbs sluggish.

"Sophie, please. Just take a sip," Lily pleaded gently.

Sophie swatted at the glass, missing.

"I don't... I don't want anything."

Her voice was slurred, thick with grief.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she let out a choked sob, her arms wrapping around herself.

Mia tried again and again to calm her down—whispering reassurances, smoothing back her hair, keeping her upright.

But nothing helped.

Sophie kept breaking.

And all Mia could do was hold her together until Ethan got there.

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