The side street outside was narrow and lit by that same orange streetlamp glow, with the city's noise humming in the distance. They walked close together, their footsteps falling into a rhythm they'd developed over months of doing this exact same thing. The bar on the corner was perfect—warm but not packed, friendly but not loud. It was exactly what three exhausted girls needed after a day that had done its best to break them.
They slid into a corner booth and ordered some food and a round of beers. Once the drinks arrived, the conversation finally started to mellow out. That was the best part about being friends—the way you could have a total crap day but still end up laughing over a cheap meal.
Lia was the one who brought up the tough stuff again. Even with all her jokes, she was usually the one brave enough to say what everyone else was thinking.
"Kira," she said, leaning over her folded hands. "You said you'd give it a few more months. But what's the actual plan if it doesn't happen? If you don't sign with anyone?"
The table went dead quiet. Emma stopped with her beer halfway to her mouth. Kira just stared at the rings of water on the wood, tracing one with her finger.
"I don't know," she whispered. Then, even quieter, like she was admitting a secret she'd been hiding from herself: "But I'd rather die than go back to my old life."
Neither Emma nor Lia pushed her. They didn't ask for details or try to fill the silence with annoying "it'll be okay" advice. They just sat there with her. Sometimes, that's all you really need.
They finished their food and split the last of the beer. The walk back to the dorm was quieter, but it wasn't awkward. By the time they climbed the stairs to their floor, the night felt a little less heavy.
Emma and Kira headed to their room. Lia stayed in the living room for a second, tossing her jacket over the couch and kicking off her shoes again. The fairy lights over the window made everything look soft and gold.
Then, her phone started buzzing.
She picked it up and looked at the number. It was one she didn't recognize, and after giving her number to a million different receptionists, she wasn't expecting much.
"Hello?" she said, answering it.