The bar was already packed by the time we got there, but we all managed to secure seats at a curved velvet booth rather than at the bartop and tables filled with other young adults. Some faces I recognized from sororities or pictures on Instagram while others seemed new. The modern, yet cozy bar had seating on one half of the large space while a small dance floor and DJ took up the other side of the space. The theme of the bar seemed to be a dark maroon with gold accents, but they also decorated the space for Christmas since it was approaching in the coming weeks.

I was dressed in a long-sleeve short red dress that hung off my shoulders with my brown hair wavy and down while I wore black heels and a long black trench coat that was now laid over the ledge of the booth. Jaci was in a cream sweater dress with white stockings and her light platinum hair pulled into a bun while Jade wore a black tight long-sleeve jumpsuit with her dark hair down and flowing over her shoulders—and Griffin wore a grey sweater with black pants and shiny black boots.

There was a round of shots on the shiny metallic gold table already, which I knew was asking for trouble, even if I appreciated the liquid courage. We all shot the burning liquid back, which easily caused my body to grow looser than it was before. We ended up dancing on the small dance floor with all the other university students and young adults, somehow, dancing seemed to be fun and easy as the alcohol started to fully hit.

Jade and Jaci kept the shots going and I just felt so thankful that it was winter break and I didn't have any classes to attend tomorrow morning. I loved this, I loved being able to let loose without a real worry. Everything seemed balanced in my life right now, and it felt nice. I couldn't remember the last time I'd allowed myself to really have that much fun. The last time I'd really even gone out and not worried about anything was before Thanksgiving. Before Cayden. But now that everything is smooth sailing with her, my friends, and classes are out until mid-January, I feel relaxed. I mean, I have great friends, Sebastian is out of my life, and I have a really cool girl in my life who seemed genuinely interested in me. At the very least, I was regularly having great sex. I was almost euphoric thinking about it.

"Oh my god, Vina—Griffin!" I hear a familiar voice call causing not only Griffin and me to stop dancing, but Jade and Jaci too.

"Zera!" Griffin forced enthusiasm in his voice. Zera was in a long-sleeve shimmery pink dress with her curls out and her face painted in neutral makeup. A blonde girl and a brunette guy that I didn't recognize stood on either side of her with friendly smiles.

"New York is so small, I swear," Zera said in surprise, "Oh! This is Sophie and Harrison," she introduced the blonde girl and the brunette guy. Both the guy and girl made efforts to shake our hands. "And this is Avina and Griffin—the ones I met the other night at Electric," she introduced us as if she'd mentioned us before to her friends.

I smile, "This is Jade—and this is Jaci," I pointed to both of my friends who waved overenthusiastically at the bunch.

"The names are cute!" Sophie pointed out excitedly and I could easily tell she was drunk.

Jade giggles, "I know, it was such a coincidence since we didn't know each other until NYU,"

"That's where I know you from!" Harrison pointed out as his green eyes looked between us all. "I knew you guys looked familiar."

Jaci tilts her head but soon her eyes widen, "Wait... that one club in Brooklyn—"

"Etheral Eight!" Sophie said as her blue eyes widened with realization.

Jade nods quickly while Zera, Griffin, and I look between the four with lost looks.

"Zera's new to NYU but she's so cool—you guys will love her," Harrison assures us which causes Zera to give a coy smile.

"She seems to know a lot of people already," Griffin forces a tight smile and I know almost immediately that he's referring to Cayden which causes me to gently nudge his side as a signal to stop. "Such a social butterfly, that skill will come in handy here in New York," Griffin changes his tone as he reads my body language perfectly.

Zera smiles, "Yeah, I'm getting better with branching out and just talking to anyone I want."

"I'm sure Sophie and Harrison are great help," Jaci joked.

Zera laughs, "Too much sometimes,"

Harrison playfully rolls his eyes, "I can't help that I like meeting new people."

"Oh we know," Jade chuckled.

Sophie claps lightly, "Do you guys want to take some shots?" she asked which unsurprisingly earned a nod from everyone but Griffin and me.

"I'll go order us all a round!" Zera says happily as she walks over to the bar. She seems nice and I doubt she's connected to Cayden in that way. Even if she was, she probably doesn't know about Cayden and me, which means Zera's efforts are genuine. Maybe I was too quick to dislike her. I mean I don't even know what her connection is regarding Cayden, so for me to just assume she's an awful person and that I have to compete with her was shallow of me, especially when she's genuinely nice and could even be a good friend.

After taking more shots and working up a sweat dancing, I took a moment to step to the side and take a break. I checked my phone and saw Cayden's name with just a few texts about her day and what she was thinking about. We'd been texting more and more back and forth these past few days since she's been so busy with work, but it's been nice having someone to talk to. I'd forgotten what it was like to be able to text someone asking how their day went. The conversations were mostly casual and we really only talked a few times today, but it genuinely did feel like we were getting to know each other better.

I responded to her first few messages, trying to keep my composure and not seem like I was drunk. We'd seen each other in various states and moods—I mean I've been tipsy or somewhat drunk around her, but borderline sloppy drunk felt risky this early on. I was worried about what I might say to her. My feelings and emotions just felt so heightened and giddy, like I was quite literally about to burst.

But when she responded to my text almost immediately, I felt that rush of I like her I like her what if I'm in love with her I like her come flooding back. All of my common sense had flown out the window and all I wanted to do was kiss her. The texts came pouring out of me before I could stop them.

Can't stop thinking about kissing you.

Cayden's side stayed on grey typing bubbles for long enough to make me nervous. I suddenly realized, with a sinking sensation, that I'd overstepped. Maybe I should've kept it at a simpler you up? or free to hook up? Something that made it feel like it came with fewer strings, but my nerves quickly calmed down when my phone buzzed before I could continue overthinking any longer.

Yeah?

I haven't been able to stop thinking about kissing you either

And then after a few seconds, she sent two more texts.

You can come over? If you want

I want to see you too

I was about to respond when I looked up and saw Jaci looking at me curiously. She was standing nearby and I didn't know how long she'd been there or how long she'd been watching me. I didn't even know how long I'd been apart from the group. It felt like everything had fallen away during my conversation with Cayden. Did I make it obvious that I was texting Cayden? Could she see my phone and the text conversation displayed on it? I'm being paranoid... I mean she's just as drunk as me, I'm sure she's not worried about what I'm doing on my phone or who I'm texting.

"What are you up to?" Jaci asked and my heart nearly stopped.