Perfect Rekindle

I stayed in the New York for the summer instead of going home to California.

Not because I don't miss home —but because I didn't want them to see me in the state, I was in.

Home meant questions. Questions about school, friends, life... and him. Questions I wasn't ready to answer. I wasn't ready to explain the last few months to anyone. So I stayed.

My penthouse apartment felt like a world of its own. High ceilings, open spaces, sunlight streaming across the living room. Big windows offered a view of the streets below, quiet in the mornings, buzzing with life at night. It wasn't extravagant—just enough to feel safe, to feel untouchable.

The summer started in slow, endless mornings and quiet nights. I slept late, binge-watched Netflix shows that were mostly sad and slow, and scrolled my phone without replying to anyone. I told myself it was rest. The truth was, it was hiding from reality.

The knocking came like it always did when she was here , sharp, impatient, impossible to ignore.

"Sierra," Brie, my best friend called. "I know you're awake."

I pulled the blanket over my head. "I'm busy."

"With what? Avoiding life?"

"Yes." I whined stubbornly.

She stepped in, hands on her hips, eyes scanning my bedroom. It was a mess.

"You haven't moved," she said. "Are you okay, stop pretending to be asleep?"

I scanned her and she was in a beige denim short with a matching strapless top and finished it up with black heels and full on makeup and curled hair.

"I'm fine," I muttered. "I'm watching something."

"Fine," she said. "Then you're coming with me tonight."

"I'm fine staying here."

"You didn't even go home for the summer like you said you will ."

I flinched. "I... needed space." and neither did you.I accused.

"From them, or from yourself?

I only stayed because you did." She replied.

I didn't answer.

She didn't push. She just leaned against the doorframe. "You've been dormant . Too dormant. Too long. And now I'm dragging you out, whether you like it or not."

I groaned. "I don't like going out anymore ."

Oh shut up," she said. "You've been living in your head this whole year ."

"...What if I don't fit anymore?" I whispered.

"You've always fit," she said. "You have just isolated yourself the past months."

She came over to me and held my hands while giving me her famous glossy eyes.

"Please,I miss my best friend terribly.

Get over that douchebag he even had a big butt." She said trying to hold her laughter in but failed.

I also laughed hard along with her.

Those who know Brie know she is extremely funny,loving,dramatic

and never completely serious.

Brie has tried to drag me out of my room and apartment since last semester but she has failed terribly.

I know she is worried I meant stay in bed the whole summer too, I think it's high time. I catch some air plus enough is enough, This ain't me.

I'm also worried for myself.

"So you should get ready we are going to the club.Everyone misses you they want to see you."She adds.

I sighed and rolled out of bed, heading to the bathroom dragging my feet across the carpeted floor.

I picked a simple black dress, soft fabric, nothing tight. heels, a jacket thrown over my shoulders, hair brushed . Minimal makeup—a touch of mascara, a little lip balm. I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at myself in the mirror. Gone are the tired eyes and tired expression.

The show I'd been watching played softly in the background. Another sad story about love lost and mistakes made. Somehow, letting other people's pain fill the room was easier than facing my own.

I sighed and gave another look in the mirror before turning and meeting my friend's proud eyes. She is obviously happy to drag me out of bed successfully this time round .

As I stare at her , I flashback to when we met.

It smelled like cheap perfume and panic. I was fixing my hair nervously when a girl next to me cleared her throat.

"Okay, this is random," she said, "but do you have lip gloss?"

I handed it to her.

"Thanks," she said, smiling. "This is perfect."

"The one that survives being crushed in my bag," I joked.

She laughed. "I like you already. I'm Brie"

"I' m Sierra". I told her mine.

"Are you hiding here too?" she asked.

"Is it that obvious?"

"I hate hallways," she said. "Too many people pretending."

I nodded. "Same."

She smiled. "Then we'll survive together."

Lunch that day became every day. Every day became years. From high school to College, from shared secrets to sad moments together to happy moments,she stayed.

She stood in my apartment, arms crossed, victorious.

I grabbed my small bag, checking that my phone,lip gloss and wallet were inside.

"Car's ready," she said. "And before you ask, yes, I'm driving. You're not driving anywhere tonight."

I usually drove us to the club,she rarely does it for reasons I don't know but today here we go.

I followed her outside. The city lights reflected off her sleek black SUV she had parked in the underground garage. Expensive, understated, just the right kind of car you noticed without it screaming for attention. I climbed in, sliding into the passenger seat.

"Seatbelt," she reminded, buckling hers.

I did the same, my hands fidgeting a little. "You really dragged me out today."

She laughed, turning the key. "Yes, I missed going out with you and you looked miserable , I want you to live a little today."

The ride was short, but the streets buzzed with life. Neon signs glowed above restaurants and bars. Music from somewhere in the distance mingled with the hum of traffic. I watched the city flicker past the window, feeling the tiny thrill of doing something I hadn't done in months.

The car pulled up to the entrance of a club that throbbed with bass so deep it shook my chest before I even stepped out. Colored lights flashed over the sidewalk as people lined up, laughter and chatter spilling into the night air. The doorman, dressed in black, nodded at my friend. She waved, and we were in.

Inside, the heat hit me first. Music pulsed through my body, warm and almost aggressive. People danced in small groups, drinks in hand, glitter catching the light. The bar glowed red, blue, purple, like someone had bottled the city lights and poured them across the floor. I held my bag closer, scanning the crowd. Faces blurred together, but the energy was contagious.

"Come on," she said, grabbing my hand. "We're here to have fun."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. My heartbeat matched the rhythm of the music, slow at first, then faster as we moved into the crowd. The scent of perfume, sweat, and alcohol wrapped around me, heavy but exhilarating. I realized how much I'd missed being around people.

She pulled me toward a table near the back, where a group of our friends, I haven't seen in months waved us over. Music thumped. Laughter bounced off the walls. The lights flickered across the ceiling, catching glimpses of faces, bodies, movement—alive, vibrant, unbothered by the weight I'd carried all these months.

I let my eyes wander, taking it all in. For a moment, I forgot the quiet and the hiding. For a moment, I was just here—part of the chaos, part of the music, part of the city alive around me.

I slid into our table where our friends were already gathered.

"Finally!" Emily called, raising her glass. "We thought you'd never leave your room all summer!"

"Been hiding," I admitted with a laugh. "But I'm here now."

"You've been missed!" Jodine said, eyes sparkling. "Seriously, it's about time you showed up."

"Yeah," Matt joined "We were worried Brie would have to drag you out by the hair."

Brie smirked at me. "I did enough already, you know."

"I know," I said, smiling at her. "You finally won."

"See?" Emily said, leaning closer. "All we needed was a little more push."

The night went on , I caught up with my friends since I had missed a lot from them since school ended.

The music shifted, a Nicki Minaj track of "Your love" blasting through the speakers. My chest tightened with excitement.

"Dance floor?" Brie asked, already grabbing my hand.

Shorty, I'ma only tell you this once, you the illest

(Ba, ba-da, da, doh)

And for your loving, I'ma die hard like Bruce Willis

(Ba, ba-da, da, doh)

You got spark, you, you got spunk

You, you got something all the girls want

You're like a candy store (Love) and I'm a toddler (Love)

You got me wanting more and m-m-more of

Your love, your love (Yeah)

Your love, your love (Yeah)

We all sang all together. I love this song so much, since am a Barb off course and all her songs are bangers.

I didn't hesitate. We moved toward the small floor near the DJ booth, Emily and Jodine right behind us, Matt lagging with a grin.

The beat hit, and soon we were all moving together, arms pumping, bodies swaying. I didn't just dance—I sang, letting my voice scream the lyrics at the top of my lungs, Nicki's energy coursing through me.

Brie laughed beside me. "Your love, your love(Yeah) !" . singing on the top of her lungs.

I spun, kicking my heels just slightly, throwing my hands in the air. The world melted away.

Just music, laughter, my friends, life pulsing through me like electricity.

"This is amazing!" I yelled, grabbing Jodine's hand mid-spin. "I've missed this!"

"You've been missing out too long," Brie shouted back. "Glad you're finally back!"

After a few songs, we collapsed at the table, catching our breath.

"I think it's time we order for round two," I said. "Who wants what?"

"Something strong," Emily said immediately, smirking. "You're ordering, right?"

"Of course," I replied, already standing. I will get the bartenders to bring them over.

They all rattled off their orders, and I headed toward the bar, mentally repeating everything so I wouldn't forget.

I reached it and scanned the endless rows of bottles, leaning forward to point out what everyone wanted. That's when a voice slipped in beside me.

"Well... aren't you terrifyingly organized."

I turned—and nearly dropped the shot glasses in my hand.

He was tall. Annoyingly tall. Dark hair falling perfectly into his eyes like it had practiced, sleeves of his crisp white shirt rolled up just enough to show toned forearms. Dark jeans. Relaxed posture. The kind of smile that looked like it knew exactly what it was doing.

"I'm just ordering for my friends," I said, steadying the glass, my cheeks warming despite myself.

He raised an eyebrow, amused. "That's impressive. Most people come up here, panic, and order whatever is strong"

I laughed softly. "I just don't want to mess up my friend's orders."

"Fair," he said, leaning a little closer. "I wouldn't like it if someone brought a different drink from what I wanted."

I glanced over my shoulder. Brie and the others were watching, already grinning like this was better entertainment than the music.

He followed my gaze and chuckled. "Ah. The audience. Pressure's on."

"Exactly," I said. "One wrong move and I'll never hear the end of it."

He gestured to the growing lineup of glasses. "Alright. Let me help before this turns into a public service announcement."

I hesitated, then handed him part of the order. The bartenders were all busy anyway."If you drop anything, I'm blaming you."

He grinned. "Deal. But if I don't , I'll heroically take credit for saving the night."

I laughed—genuinely this time. Something about him made it easy. The teasing, the confidence without arrogance, the way he didn't rush anything.

We balanced bottles and glasses between us, brushing fingers once, exchanging quick looks and smiles as we made our way back to the table.

Once we set everything down, he straightened and looked at me thoughtfully.

"So," he said, "I feel like after surviving that obstacle course together, I should at least get your number."

He gave me the chills with this but it took a lot for me and to finally say what I said cause he seemed like a genuine person .

But with all I have gone through the past months, maybe I don't know how to read people after all .

I smiled, already shaking my head. "I'm actually not looking for anything right now."

He didn't look disappointed—just amused. "Ah. Are you from a relationship or something?"

I replied at a low tone . "It's none of your business ."

He stepped back slightly, hands raised in surrender. "Alright. No number. But I'll say this—"

He leaned in just enough to lower his voice making my cheeks turn red.

"Next time we meet, I'll pretend you didn't reject me the first time and ask again. Consistency is important."

I smiled despite myself. "I bet," I said. "Thanks for helping with the drinks though."

He gave a playful salute. "Anytime. Even though you need help a thousand times."

And with a wink, he disappeared back into the crowd.

Thats when I realized , I didn't even get his name nor did he get mine.