“My name is David, I'm a Sophomore and I'm majoring in Communications, and… I guess one interesting thing about me is that I like to draw.”

“Oh, that's nice. Do you paint something specific or…?”

“Um, it really depends. Sometimes I can have an idea for the whole day and do some sketches over and over until I feel like it's right. But sometimes I'll also draw whatever. Like a couple of weeks ago I was watching this space movie and I liked the way the costumes looked so I just drew them.”

“I wish I had an artist bone in me, I've given a try at drawing but every time I end up doing stick figures. Makes my youngest son look like Picasso in comparison.”

There were some laughs from the rest of the room at the comment, which effectively marked the end of the conversation.

“Well, David, thank you very much for your introduction.” The professor eventually said, earning a nod from him.

“Now, I'm seeing that there aren't any more people at the table so we're gonna skip to the next one.” His eyes fell on the blonde student in the back row, “Last but not least, sorry to put you on the spot, but could you tell us a little about yourself back there?”

She obliged. “My name is Mikayla, I'm a Freshman majoring in Sociology with a minor in Informatics and an interesting thing about me is that my birthday is on Christmas.”

Clear and concise. It helped that she had already known how she was going to answer.

“Do you get double gifts on Christmas?” The professor asked, eyes widened and a tinge of surprise in his voice.

Mikayla got ready to answer. The question wasn’t new, and it didn't really bother her, but it always surprised her how people reacted to that little piece of information. She wished she knew the average number of people whose birthday fell on a holiday, surely it couldn't be that rare.

“I don't, unfortunately.”

“That's too bad, I imagine it would be great though.”

“Maybe.”

The reminder of the class was spent rather quickly, not at all surprising since it was the first of the semester. Mikayla listened, but it might as well have been background noise, with the only real information she retained being to check the syllabus for grade distribution, deadlines and exam dates, and the professor's office hours.

“Alright folks, go away.” Mikayla heard, and as if she were back in highschool just after the bell had rung, everyone began to pack up.

She took the big, stuffy jacket in the back of her chair and put it on, bracing herself as she made the walk down to the first floor of the building. The weather had begun to transition from a mild chill to disgusting cold on her way to class earlier, and somehow she doubted that it had warmed up in the short minutes she spent there.

That's what I get for taking evening classes. She thought.

She reached for the double doors, greeted by cold air the second she opened them. It wasn't nearly as bad as she thought it would be, then again she was prepared for it, unlike a few people she observed as she walked by, wearing only t-shirts and jeans.

She shivered, it was as if looking at them had made her own temperature drop.

Her walk came to a halt at the stop sign on the intersection across the parking lot. She looked to the post on her right and pressed the button with the side of her arm; there was no need to take her hands out of the comfort of the pockets’ warmth.

Seconds went by, and Mikayla considered that, maybe, if she stared hard enough the light would change to red. Maybe.

She sniffed, her nose was running, now. Great.

She took a look at both sides of the road, crossing once she was sure there were no cars coming from either side. There, no harm had been done and she got what she wanted.

It wasn't until she entered her car that a nasty feeling began to grow on her stomach. The jaywalk was nothing, lowest in the pyramid of her concern. It was the memories it triggered what made her feel utterly crushed.

Three weeks. She hadn't expected a call but a message wasn't so hard to ask for, was it?

She caught herself as her eyes went puffy, threatening to let the flood out.

Mikayla stood still in her seat for a long while, staring into the expanding city, so lively in the night with all its lights on.

Normally at this point she would turn the engine on, drive a short distance to her apartment and cook dinner, catch up with her reading, or watch a movie. Not necessarily in that order.

It had taken her a bit to adjust, to have that much time for herself and no one watching her over. Shame it wouldn't last.

She didn't see her usual routine lasting past this weekend, eventually the workload would settle in, killing most of the free time she had. In a way, that was comforting, the thought of having her mind too busy with studying for exams on top of working late on papers and homework meant less time to think about her family. Unlike now.

Mikayla turned the engine on. She wasn't going home, not like the destination changed much, her thoughts would follow her anywhere, but she didn’t want to be alone with them right now.

Hands on the wheel, she exited the parking lot and headed towards downtown. She knew just where to go.

During orientation week one of the tasks they had been given was to explore the city in groups, making note of any places of interest so that they could visit them later on their own. It was, of course, also meant as an ice breaker of sorts since they were all incoming students, but aside from orientation she was absolutely sure no one from her group had interacted with each other in school, even the cliques that formed during that short time. They all had too different schedules for that to happen.

The experience wasn't a waste, all things considered, there had been a small bar-styled restaurant they had come across during their trip. Her destination.

It took longer than she'd admit to find it. Between taking a wrong turn a block earlier and the artificial light giving it a different look than when she first saw it in daylight throwing her for a loop. Thankfully there were still open spaces for her to park in once she actually made it

There's live music tonight, she realizes as she walks right into the joint and her ears are filled with rhythmic jazz. It's full on the center, leaving her with no option but to sit at the bar. She doesn't mind, there's a better view from there.

Her gaze engulfs the scene right in front of her. It's a college town, yet the amount of people her age still takes her by surprise, she didn't think this place would be that popular. The performers are a nice addition, not too loud that you have to speak over them but with enough presence that it's welcomed by the rest of the patrons.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

It's perfect.

“They're pretty good, right?”

Mikayla turned around, finding a girl her age looking at her. Within enough distance that she could make out the blue of her eyes.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“It's a nice little gem, wasn’t really expecting it to be this cozy.” The girl says as she stares into the crowd.

“The orange light probably helps, gives it a vintage feeling.” Mikayla offers.

The girl turned around at such speed Mikayla worried she did something to her neck. “Like one of those old movies. The ones with the mafia.” Her face is shining, like she just won the lottery.

Well, that was certainly not the first thing that came to mind when she entered.

“You're thinking ‘Easy Times’”

“Is that a movie?”

Mikayla does a double take. No way.

“You've never seen ‘Easy Times’?” She asks, her voice incredulous.

“Nope.” The girl replies, popping the ‘p’.

Against her will, a laugh escaped her mouth. “It's a really great movie. It has all the one-liners you could want and a brutal ending. You should watch it.”

“O-kay, I'll make sure to add it to my list then. Must be pretty good if it got you all like that.”

Shit. “Oh I didn't mean to go full trivia on you like that, it's just that, well, It's like the mafia movie, you know?” Mikayla finished lamely.

“I don’t mind.” The girl replied. “I like the energy.”

“Yeah, sure.” She intended to come off as sarcastic, but a smile tugging at the corner of her lips betrayed her intention.

“What's your name?” The girl asked.

“Mikayla. You?”

A fox-like smile emerged on the girl's face, making her dimples visible. “Guess.”

Mikayla scoffed in mock indignation. “We're gonna be here all night long.”

The girl only doubled up at that. “Drinks are on me if you get it right.”

She wasn't about to say no to that.

“Okay.” Mikayla began, dragging the ‘o’. “Vanessa? You look like a Vanessa.”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Michelle?”

“No.”

“Erin?”

“Wrong.”

“Taylor?”

“Incorrect.”

Mikayla continued giving out names, all of which were rejected. She couldn't be sure if she was being had, but the responses she was given prevented her from getting too mad. Who said ‘Nonners’ for a no?

“Alright. Last one.”

“Aww, you're tapping out?” The girl taunted.

“I'm this close to punching you.” Mikayla replied. The cackle she got only strengthened her resolve, “Judith.”

Mikayla was ready for another negative, confusion settling in once it didn't come.

“Congrats, you know what drink you want?” The girl said nonchalantly.

Bullshit. “Bullshit.” Mikayla said, eyes squinting.

“I swear. Cross my heart.”

“Oh and I'm just supposed to take you at your word?”

She looked straight at her. “Yeah.”

The nerve!

“Whatever. I want one of those orange martini ones, I saw a waitress deliver a bunch of them while you were too busy making a fool of me.”

Judith snickered, “Need I remind you that you were a willing participant?”

“Shut up.”

“How do I order then?”

She was unbelievable. Worst was that Mikayla had no witty reply to counter with, so she resigned to give Judith a deadly stare.

“Okay, turning down the smart ass now.”

Good. She thought.

After a few minutes, she had her drink, and made it a point to savor it slowly, this was her hard-earned prize, after all.

“This isn't half bad. I thought it would taste, I don't know, more bitter.” Mikayla said after a while.

“I asked the bartender to go easy on the alcohol, that may be why.” Judith replied.

Mikayla nearly choked. She had completely forgotten that she wasn't twenty-one yet.

Judith turned her head towards her, an inquisitive look in her eyes.

Realization hit her, “Hold on.”

Mikayla said nothing. Judith stared at her for a while.

“Finish it, it's gonna look worse if you just leave it.” Judith finally said.

Mikayla gulped down her drink in response.

“Sure, that works too.”

Mikayla put the empty glass to the side, heart still pounding. “I'm sorry, that was my bad.”

Judith shaked her head just as she finished her own drink. “No, I should have asked you how old you were instead of making assumptions.”

“That's– I appreciate that.”

“Don't mention it.” Then, she added, “Glad I could cheer you up.”

Mikayla faced Judith, confusion written all over her face. “What do you mean?”

Judith fidgeted with her hands, looking down as she answered, “I was sitting by myself on one of the tables over by the band, pretty much getting ready to leave when I saw you come in. You looked a little gloomy, and, well, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to but I just thought I would just go and say hi.”

Mikayla let the words sink in, processing them slowly. Here was a girl who had only just met her and had gone out of her way to make her night a little bit better.

“Are you okay?” Judith asked, concern dripping from every word.

It took a while for Mikayla to realize she was crying. There was no sobbing, no great breakdown, but the tears wouldn't stop. How could a complete stranger show more care for her than her own fucking family?

An ugly laughter began to slip out of her mouth, full of venom. She didn't care, she wanted to let it all out, better than let it consume her bit by bit over time.

“Yeah, some shit happened and I just wanted to take my mind off it for a while.” She managed to say, voice hard. “Then I remembered I saw this place the other day and decided to check it out.”

Mikayla looked at Judith. Did she know what she had done for her? The magnitude of what she had achieved? She couldn't be sure, so she thought of how to put it into words. “Thank you, is what I really want to say.”

“Anytime.” She hears, and there are no more words needed between them.

Eventually the music dies down, the crowd leaves and the bar closes. The duo decides it's as good a time as any to leave.

Mikayla offers Judith a ride home, she politely declines, saying it's very close from here.

She doesn't oppose to exchanging numbers however, and that makes an already good night even better.

“If it's alright with you, I would like to know you better. Because I can't remember the last time I had so much fun like this.” Judith says.

Just a second later, she apologizes, telling Mikayla she didn't mean to say that the last bit was fun. She understands, and says she would also like to know her better.

They part ways once they reach Mikayla's car, with Judith starting to walk away. But before she even enters the car she hears her calling her name.

“Yeah?” She responds.

“You look pretty when you smile.” Judith screams, and it's the last thing she says before she runs into the night.

Mikayla blushes, completely stunned. She wasn't sure if Judith just said that to comfort her but it felt nice to hear regardless.

It's a nice drive towards her apartment, and there's only one thought on her mind as she gazes upon the clear sky.

What a beautiful night.