A few people showed up at Jayce's place for his birthday. It wasn't big - only folks he knew well, cans of beer sweating on the table, tunes blasting through cracked speakers. Outside, the heat lingered like it didn't want to leave. Night stretched out, slow and thick, full of laughter that echoed off brick walls.
Funny how close I came to staying home.
Birthday of a friend, that's what it is," Lucas remarked as I brought up the invite. Chopping vegetables together in our shared kitchen space, things felt familiar. Going would make sense, he added without looking up
"Are you sure? I can stay here with you."
"Brooklyn." He kissed my forehead. "I have to finish the sculpture proposal tonight anyway. Go. Have fun. Tell Jayce happy birthday from me."
Off I went. Said to myself, it's okay. Totally usual. People meet up when someone they know is celebrating. A group heading out because one of them turned another year older.
Home would have been better. That choice slipped away.
