Night had fallen, and the city lights twinkled like stars, gradually painting the sky above the towering skyscrapers a peacock blue, radiant and mesmerizing. It was one of those moments where, upon a casual glance upward, the beauty of the scene made the bustling pace of New York City seem to slow, even if just for a moment.
"Ah, the weather is perfect tonight. A rare treat."
Blair felt her spirits lift as she stepped out of her home, pushing aside the disappointment and irritation that had been weighing her down. She forced herself to focus on something else.
New York winters were typically dreary, especially in Manhattan, where the towering buildings obscured much of the sky. Stars were a rare sight, and even seeing the sky in its true colors was often difficult due to the ever-present haze.
But tonight, the moon was bright, and only a few scattered clouds dotted the sky. It was a rare, clear night.
Blair found herself smiling.
She glanced over at Karen, who still walked with her head down, lost in her thoughts. A mischievous idea popped into Blair's mind.
"Anson!"
Karen's head snapped up immediately, looking around like a startled meerkat. But as the people around her continued on, unfazed, she quickly realized she'd been fooled.
"Claire, that's not funny!" Karen scowled, stomping her foot in frustration.
Claire burst into laughter. "Weren't you the one who said you didn't care about Anson? You should see yourself now!"
Karen: ...
Claire laughed even harder and then wrapped Karen in a tight hug. "Alright, alright, no more jokes. We need to stay calm. If we end up at the flash mob, great! But if we don't, we should still cheer for Anson, right?"
"For now, let's not think about it too much. We need to distract ourselves."
"What's that over there?"
Karen rolled her eyes, exasperated. "I really don't care."
Claire, unbothered, grinned. "There's a crowd gathering. Maybe they're waiting for Anson!"
Another joke. Karen couldn't help but smile despite herself. "Claire!"
But Claire had already started jogging towards the gathering, turning back to wave at her friend. "Come on, Karen! Hurry!"
Karen sighed, muttering, "This is Washington Square—of course, there's a crowd," but she followed anyway.
Washington Square Park, located in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, was famous for its arch, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe, and its central fountain—a popular spot for graduation photos.
New York University (NYU) was right there, too.
Unlike other universities, NYU didn't have a clearly defined campus. Its buildings were scattered throughout Manhattan, with a large portion surrounding Washington Square. As a result, the park was always lively, filled with students.
There were street performers, painters sketching, couples strolling—it was a hub of activity year-round.
During graduation season, NYU would even rent out the square for photo shoots. The park was an inseparable part of university life.
It was also a hot spot for various events.
Street concerts, political rallies, TV interviews—just a few days ago, the park had been packed with New Year's Eve partygoers.
So, Washington Square was always buzzing.
Tonight was no different.
But as Claire and Karen approached, they noticed something unusual.
In the garden area on the west side of the park, a small stage had been set up. It wasn't very high, only about a foot off the ground. But the real centerpiece was the massive projection screen behind it.
About two to three hundred people were scattered around the square, chatting and laughing in small groups, their excitement palpable.
Another party?
"Excuse me, is there a special event happening tonight?" Blair asked a passerby with a friendly smile.
The person grinned back. "Outdoor screening. NYU hosts this event every month, showing old films. It's free, so feel free to join if you're interested."
So that's what it was.
After thanking the person, Blair turned to Karen. The excitement that had briefly lit up her face quickly faded. Blair knew exactly what her friend was thinking—
Maybe... Anson?
For a brief moment, Blair had the same thought. But this was just a regular NYU event. There was no way Anson would be here. She quickly pulled herself back to reality, reminding herself that Anson was in Boston, meeting with fans.
Shaking her head, Blair refocused and looked at the now somber Karen.
"So, what do you think? Should we stay and watch the movie or head to the theater to support Catch Me If You Can?"
Karen hesitated. She wasn't sure she could sit through a movie without her mind wandering to Anson, potentially driving herself crazy. Finally, she made up her mind.
"What movie are they showing tonight?"
Blair handed her a flyer stamped with the NYU crest.
"A Superman marathon."
In 1978, the very first superhero movie, Superman, had hit the screens, with Christopher Reeve's portrayal becoming iconic. Over the years, Reeve reprised the role in three sequels, marking his entire career. Unfortunately, the third and fourth films were poorly received, leading Warner Bros. to shelve the franchise indefinitely.
Karen smiled. "Are you sure? Won't people just laugh?"
Blair chuckled. "I'm not sure, but we could give it a shot."
And sure enough—
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
By today's standards, the special effects of the 1978 movie were laughably outdated. You could even see the wires used to make Superman fly.
Whether it was a shadow or a clearly visible wire, the technical flaws had the audience in stitches, including Blair and Karen, who couldn't stop laughing.
Yet—
"Wow, a good movie is still a good movie," Karen said, surprised. "I didn't expect to enjoy it this much."
Blair nodded, still smiling. "Even though you can clearly see the wires, the story is solid. I'm enjoying it too."
"So, should we head out or stick around for the second one?"
There was a short break between each of the four films.
Karen glanced around at the students lounging on blankets, snacking on chips and sipping beer. The atmosphere was relaxed, casual, and pleasant.
"I want to watch another one," Karen said, seeking Blair's approval.
Blair shrugged. "I was thinking of leaving, but this seems like a nice way to spend a Friday night."
Suddenly, a small commotion stirred in the front. Blair and Karen looked over just as a student wearing a New York Yankees cap stepped up.
"Sorry, everyone! We're having some technical difficulties with the projector. Please give us five minutes. Thanks for your patience."