The music thumped steadily through the walls, the bass vibrating faintly under her skin as Amara sipped her drink and tried to blend into the couch.
She wasn't used to this.
Crowded places. Loud places. Places where everyone was either watching or wanting to be watched.
Melody, on the other hand, was in her element.
Her friend had disappeared twice already, greeting old friends, spinning around like the room belonged to her.
Amara sighed, trying not to shrink into herself. She'd already made it this far. She'd put in the effort. Worn the dress. Sat still while Melody carefully brushed makeup across her face and styled her hair until she barely recognized herself in the mirror.
She couldn't back out now.
"You're doing that thing again."
Melody reappeared at her side, a mischievous glint in her eyes as she plopped onto the couch next to her. "The thing where you vanish into thin air even when you're physically here."
"I'm just taking in the atmosphere."
"You're hiding." Melody smirked, waving over the waiter to refill Amara's drink. "And you're not even doing it well."
Amara rolled her eyes but smiled softly. She actually appreciated Melody's persistence tonight.
"I didn't drag you here to watch you sip soda and pretend to enjoy yourself," Melody said, folding her arms. "At least admit that you're out of your comfort zone."
"I am out of my comfort zone."
"Good. Now, can you do me a favor and look over there—"
Melody tilted her chin toward the far end of the club.
"—because someone's been watching you for a while now. And it's starting to get interesting."
Amara frowned, curious despite herself. She followed Melody's gaze, eyes sweeping across the crowd until they landed on him.
She didn't immediately place him.
It was just a glance. A man sitting with his friends, a drink in hand, his expression unreadable but not unfriendly.
Something about him pulled at the edges of her memory.
Familiar.
But not enough for her to be certain.
He didn't look away when their eyes met. He just… watched her. Quiet, steady, like he was trying to solve something.
Her heartbeat flickered—just for a second—and she turned back to Melody quickly, her fingers tightening around her glass.
"I don't know him," she said a little too quickly.
Melody raised an eyebrow. "You sure? He's been staring like he knows you."
Amara shook her head, brushing it off, though something tugged at her chest.
"I probably just remind him of someone."
Melody grinned, nudging her shoulder playfully. "Or maybe he's wondering why you look so good tonight."
"Stop."
"Why? You do look good. I outdid myself." Melody made an exaggerated bow, pretending to soak in applause. "You're welcome."
Amara laughed, finally relaxing into the couch. Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe Melody was just trying to make the night more exciting.
Still, something about the man wouldn't leave her mind.
Something about the way he'd looked at her, like he was on the edge of remembering too.
But she pushed it to the back of her mind.
The night was still young. And she'd promised herself she would try, for once, to live a little.