August 15th 2021

(Jamie's OUTFIT ^^)
Jamie POV

We got to the club, and I haven't checked my phone since I last texted Sofia. I see Jessica standing outside waiting for me. We lock eyes and she smiles at me as she makes her way over to us. She pulls me in for a hug and kisses my cheek before she pulls away. I catch Sofia, Paulina, and Zac out of the corner of my eye. I pull away from Jessica and pull her with me to catch up to them. I greet them, but Sofia ignores me. We make it inside the club. Kim, my two best friends John and Emily, and myself head to the bar for drinks. We get our drinks faster than expected and head towards the small table the rest of the group found. I take the open space next to Sofia and fall into conversation with the group.

After we've had a few drinks, the DJ starts playing some good songs I couldn't ignore. "You wanna dance?" I turn to Sofia and she nods. She takes my hand and I lead her out to the dance floor. I pull her close to my body and we sway to the beat filling the space around us. "I've missed this," I rest my forehead against hers and get transported back in time.

Sofia pulls away and shakes her head, "I've gotta go." I watch her make a beeline towards the emergency exit and bathrooms. I follow after her, pushing past every drunk person who gets in my way.

I push the door open and see Sofia standing there, face in hands. "Hey, what's wrong?" I touch her bare arm and she turns to face me.

"Jamie, it's weird to see you here. I mean, how long has it been? Seven years?" Sofia sighs and rubs her forehead.

"Sof, I don't see what's wrong," confusion lacing my voice.

"Nevermind," she huffs and tries pushing past me. I gently grab her arm and bring her back.

"Sofia, listen," I sigh, "you're my best friend. Fuck, you've been my best friend since we were kids. I know you better than anyone and I know exactly when something is bothering you." I step towards her and cup her face. She keeps her eyes closed, but I see a few tears against her long eyelashes.

"Sof, tell me what's really wrong?" I say gently and she lets out a sigh. She places her hands over mine and looks up into my eyes.

"Seeing you again after all these years, it feels like time stood still. Memories of us sneaking away to the beach and watching the sunrise. Falling asleep in your arms on our numerous movie nights, and hearing Paulina and Kim make fun of us. Every single fucking memory and you left! You left!" She smacks my chest and I just hold her against me. She beats at my chest and I know exactly why she's upset.

"Sof, I'm sorry. I never stopped caring about you. Leaving when I did was probably the worst decision I've ever made and I'll regret it probably until my last breath. The moment I got sent on my first deployment, I realized how much you fucking meant to me. You were everything to me. I followed your entire career and Paulina kept me in the loop every chance we got. I am so proud of you. You're inspiring young girls across the globe to not let their voices be dulled and silenced. It's an inspiration," I kiss her forehead and hold her close to my body.

"Jay, I-" Sofia starts, but we hear someone join us. We break apart and Jessica is standing at the door, now propped open, watching us.

"Hey guys," Jessica greets us. "Jamie, can we talk?" She quickly asks and I look down at Sofia.

"Alone?" Jessica adds and I nod at Sofia. I watch her walk away past Jessica and I wish I knew what she was going to say.

"What's up, Jess?" I ask and she turns her attention away from the door Sofia just disappeared behind.

"Who's she?" She looks at me and I look a bit puzzled.

"Oh, Sofia? She's a childhood friend," I rub the back of my neck and Jessica doesn't seem to buy it.

"Childhood friend? Do you get that close to all of your childhood friends?" She looks at me skeptically and I let out a long breath.

"What are you trying to get at?" I ask and she starts picking at her fingernails.

"I was looking for you on the dance floor and your sister mentioned seeing you come out here so I wanted to check on you," she avoids eye contact and something seems off.

"Well you found me, so let's get back inside," I turn towards the door but feel myself getting pulled backwards. Before I can stop myself, my lips are moving in sync with Jessica's. It doesn't take long for my brain to snap back to reality. I put distance between me and Jessica. "Jess, we can't do this," I gesture between the two of us. "I have feelings for someone else and I can't hurt her again," I leave Jessica outside and go straight back inside in a mad search for Sofia. I have to find her and finally settle things.

I scan the crowded room for the brunette and spot her talking to some guy. They seem to know each other because they look cozy in a booth not too far from ours. I keep my eyes on them and they slowly get closer. Soon he's moving in and his lips are on hers. I feel rage boiling within me and I head straight for the front door. I stop by the booth and grab my jacket, not saying a single word to anyone. I couldn't stay here and watch the girl I've loved since we were kids kiss another guy. The only things between me and getting away from this place was a door and a drunken sea of people.

I hear my name faintly behind me, but I choose to ignore it. I'm not explaining to anyone why I'm upset. Whoever is trying to get my attention is persistent. "Jamie! Wait!" I make out the voice and it's Sofia.

I slow my strides and let her catch up. She seems a bit out of breath once she's in front of me.

"Jamie, please let me explain. I saw my co-star and I went over to him and we started talking. He told me to sit with him," she pauses to catch her breath. "I could tell he had been drinking a bit too much, but he asked who I was with and I told him it was just a group of friends. I didn't want to upset him, so I sat with him for a little bit. Before I knew it, he leaned in and kissed me," Sofia finally catches her breath and looks up at me. I was avoiding her eyes, but was still listening to what she was saying.

"Okay," I shrug and I place my hands into my pockets, still not looking at Sofia.

"It meant nothing to me Jamie," She adds, as she tries to reach up to touch my face, but I move my head.

"Jamie, don't do this," Sofia steps closer to me, staring up at me. I can hear a bit of defeat in her voice.

"Okay," I shrug my shoulders again, and turn to walk away again, but she stops me.

"Okay? Jamie, you have to say more than okay," she pushes my chest and I don't fight it.

I roll my eyes, shaking my head and scoff as I look away.

"What do you want me to say Sofia?" I cross my arms, looking at her slightly frustrated. "I listened to you explain the situation and then what? We aren't together Sofia, you can kiss anyone you want to," I run my hand through my hair and close my eyes.

"You're ridiculous, you know that?" Sofia puts her hands on her hips. "Why were you so upset then? If it doesn't matter who I kiss, why'd you storm out?" She poses good questions and I don't know what to say.

"You really want to know?" I raise my voice a bit. She raises her eyebrows waiting for my answer. "Because we had an intimate moment earlier tonight and you turn around and let that guy kiss you," my frustration comes through my words.
"How do you think that truly makes me feel?" I ask and wait to see what she has to say.

"I told you it meant nothing!" She raises her voice and gets closer to my body. In the heat of the moment, I grab her body and plant my lips on hers. I feel her release a content sigh. We pull back and I can't believe I just did that.

"Wow," I whisper and she smiles, resting her head against my chin. "I've been waiting to do that all day," I add and Sofia chuckles.

"Shut up and kiss me again," she says and takes my face into her hands to bring me back to her lips. Nothing around us mattered. Not this damn rain or the people walking past us on the sidewalk. All that mattered was our lips dancing in sync with each other.