The eve of the night arrived, and the time to see Birdette in anything else besides her white button-up shirt covered by that hideous green smock. The black pants did suit her, but they were boring as hell.

I arrived downtown in a dark green button-up with the top buttons open, you know for the imagination. I fought the urge to wear what I normally would wear to any outing. Sweats and a tee that had my breakfast spilled over it. I also fell victim to a sales clerk, who sold me some black khaki fitted pants. She told me I looked very handsome in them. Me being the dumbass I was, fell hook line, and sinker. So, I splurged a bit on the outfit, sue me, I wanted to look good, especially for tonight.

A text notification sounded alerting me to where I was supposed to be meeting the others.

I walked over to the parking garage where Mac was awaiting. Walking the narrow sidewalks in downtown felt off tonight. A small pit was starting to form in the very bottom of my stomach like something was off like my whole life was going to change tonight.

I chuckled, if anything I might get lucky tonight, and then I really couldn’t help but laugh at my dramatics and stupidity. It had just been a get-together with coworkers, nothing to stress about.

I turned into a parking garage to see Mac waiting near his motorbike. I eyed the vehicle with suspicion. I didn’t know If it was him or not at first. The gaudy way he dressed threw off my sense of impending doom. I was now focused on the bumblebee motorbike and the brand new true religion jeans coupled with a bright red collared dress shirt. I was at a loss for words, I didn’t believe anybody would still dress like that in this day and age. I looked around for a camera crew, but no one besides Mac his bike, and I were around on the first floor of the parking garage. I made little eye contact and no comments as I walked up giving a half wave to the flashy man.

“Thy Brethren, ye hath come”

“Hear ye, Hear ye, I have been summoned by Matthew, second of his name of New New York”

I reacted almost out of instinct to the call out.

To note, I felt no lingering embarrassment, so that meant tonight might not be so bad.

After bowing like idiots, Mac coughed into an imaginary microphone and placed it in front of my face.

“Who are you wearing?”

I took a step back then forward, then with my best Blue Steele, I said.

“oh, you know, the finest of the finest.”

After a ruckus of laughter, we settled down.

“Sullivans?”

I nodded, giving him the knowing side eye to gesture that he was right.

We shared another lighthearted laugh and stepped out to the sidewalk to wait for our other guest still coming in.

“I’m sorry I am late I’m coming I’m coming.”

A voice shouted coming towards us. We both looked in the shout’s direction. A petite woman came hobbling her way up out of breath. Her breath was on display through the mist in the chilly night winds. Her hands grasped ahold of her slightly small hips, catching her breath.

I looked to Mac and then to the black cocktail dress that was draped around her like a perfectly fit glove. It was paired with black T-strap pumps that made her, becoming, thighs ever so more apparent. The makeup she was wearing highlighted all the features on her face, making her beauty apparent. Her bobbed haircut, which reminded me of someone I knew who had the same cut, really accentuated her face. On the side of her head, pinned to her hair was a tasteful small butterfly hairpin.

The woman’s face was flushed red, as she finally caught her breath, then started to cup her hands to her mouth for some intake of warm air. She closed her arms together which pushed up her very modest chest.

Questions swam around in my head. Did Mac know this woman? who was she? Did I know a gorgeous woman like this?

I eyed the woman carefully, trying to place my eyes somewhere respectful. She was now looking over her shoulder waiting for somebody to arrive behind her.

I leaned into Mac and whispered away from the knockout.

“Who the hell is she?”

His face drooped in disappointment and mild relief. Putting his arm around me, Mac said aloud.

“hope the trip down wasn’t an inconvenience, Miranda.”

My arms went slack, along with my jaw. I gulped, trying to not be so noticeably in shock.

She looked over at us and smiled.

“no, it wasn’t so bad.” Adding a hair twirl and a small glance over at me.

The sudden name drop had me surprised just a bit, but I felt I played it safe by not overreacting.

An awkward silence plagued the next couple of seconds.

“you look nice” Mac added along with an OK finger gesture.

I thought it was a little creepy.

“thank you,” she said.

Meanwhile, my eyes were wandering the black cocktail dress that slid up and down the pale flesh-colored thighs that were peeking out. I was still getting used to this whole makeover from New York’s ‘finest’ to NEW YORKS FINEST. She let out a small cough, raising her eyes towards me.

“UHH HI!” I said a little loudly, keeping my eyes away from her and towards the sky. Miranda jumped a bit, startled at the volume of my voice.

Our eyes finally met, and I could see her face. She was indeed Miranda, from her cheekbones to that intense stare of hers. Her face gleamed red, but I assumed it was because of the chilly weather.

“Hi” she added with a small wave. It was like seeing her in a new one, and it not being blue ones.

“yeah hi,” I said stupidly again.

Miranda chuckled, saying.

“you're funny” looking herself up and down she added. “sooo…Charlie”

“yeah,” I said shooting my head up.

“I’ve heard Mac’s opinion. What’s yours?”

Don’t know why but her face was flushed once again. She started to fiddle with a pinch of fabric on the side of her dress. “Well, I think you look rea… “

A shout came from behind us interrupting.

“Hey Guys”

The woman coming from behind us was dressed in a casual beige top with form-fitting black jeans and her long golden hair flowing down one side of her shoulders.

My eyes shot from Miranda to Birdette who was walking over smiling. I gulped trying to take in the whole view.

Miranda abandoned the question and stepped aside letting Birdette inside of the group.

“Oh, hey there, honey”

Miranda waved over at Birdette, who in turn smiled at her. She gave her a long look up and down.

“Damn, girl you look good!” honey said looking and winking my way. Miranda followed that with a flustered slap to Birdette’s shoulder. She looked over at me then at the ground. Her face was super red. Why wear that if the weather was that cold, I thought.

I was elbowed back into reality by Mac, who noticed that my attention was heavily on Birdette’s casual clothing. I raised my hand, casually waving to her.

“Hey, Birdette”

She placed her hands onto her hips, and turned her face to the side, pouting her lips.

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“Hey, Call me Honey. We aren’t at work”

I melted, she was such an angel and that pout had devastating power. I began to let my imagination go wild when honey said something that crashed my reality.

“Sorry I’m so late, my husband wouldn’t get off of me” she was blushing, with the most adorable smile.

Everyone was laughing and chuckling along but me. ‘HUSBAND’ I was purely shocked. Nothing could comfort me at that moment. It felt like I had been shot straight through the heart. I looked to Mac who was going along with the vibe of the conversation, but he didn’t look back. I decided not to ask. I’m sure he knew how shocked I must have felt. I couldn’t help but think, what an asshole for even allowing me to get my hopes up. I breathed out a small sigh of relief and smiled joining the atmosphere. I didn’t wanna be here now, I only came out for honey, and she had a honey. So that was out of the cards for me.

I wasn’t so much of an asshole that I would try to steal honey, not like I could anyways. I’m sure that guy was stacked and handsome as all hell.

The group all together wished me a happy birthday and after some more formal formalities, we left for our night out.

We all decided on a bar near called O’Shaughnessy. I and Miranda trailed behind Honey and Mac. She was just a step ahead of me. I felt dead and heavy, I wondered if I should leave, but I knew that would ruin everyone’s night.

I know it's selfish to be a downer at your own outing somebody else is throwing for you, but tonight was just a bummer.

My mind was racing and my body couldn’t keep up. I was so lost In the thought that I ran straight into the back of someone. I stopped to look up and there stood Miranda, staring up at me with a fragile smile.

“Yeah”

I said with a hint of annoyance. It wasn’t like I was annoyed with her, just tonight wasn’t like I thought it would be.

She tilted her head.

"just not letting you fall behind”

I faintly smiled and rolled my eyes,

“Who are you, and what have you done with Miranda?” she pushed my shoulder away but seemed to regret it right away

“um, I’m not always strict you know.”

I laughed

“yeah? You know as a cop I feel like you always have to be strict?”

She started to fidget.

“I’m not always in duty mode, at least not around y…” Before she could finish, we were interrupted from the front

“hey, slowpokes what’s taking you guys” Mac yelled out to us.

“let’s go,” I said, really not wanting to finish the conversation.

She just nodded and came along.

We decided on a bar instead of a club, to hang out and have a lively chat and maybe go on from there.

The bar we entered was filled with all kinds of people of all different races and ages. The music blared through as soon as we walked in the front door. I was taken aback as the rest of the group found us a booth to sit, towards the back. Mac took care of our first round of drinks. He brought them to the table as we all took our first round of birthday shots and shouted in celebration.

The dance floor was full of people dancing and the atmosphere was lively. So, I shouldn’t have been so down. You see I grew up with some semblance of manners, so I was grateful that I wasn’t paying, but being there was boring and lame. I was partying on the outside, but on the inside, I knew I was being a buzzkill.

While the group was talking, I excused myself to freshen up and headed to the bathroom.

I looked into the dirty bathroom mirror and tried smiling a couple of times to see if I could get it right. I squeezed my face with both my palms and blew air out, trying to calm myself down. I headed back out to the bar counter to order myself a couple of drinks to get myself going.

As I went for my wallet, a man put a card out to the bartender, and I looked to my right and there stood Mac. I didn’t turn him down. We both downed another shot, and then Mac looked at me with a buzzed look.

“I think I’m going to ask Miranda out, man.”

My eyes widened in surprise. I had to take a seat back on the nearest stool. I felt the alcohol hit too quickly. I quick rush ran through me like a shot of ecstasy. After a quick pause, he added.

“Are you ok with that man?” I was annoyed that he thought I would care.

“uh, why wouldn’t I be man, not like I’m aiming for her, plus she totally hates me. So maybe she’ll be nicer if you both date”

Mac took a drink of the beer he just ordered and pursed his lips on the bottle.

“yeah, just wanted to see if you had my back man”

I retorted “of course your Majesty”

we both laughed and went back to the table where our guests were gossiping and drinking with smiles plastered on their faces.

The seating chart looked like this. It was a back booth with Miranda on the inside of one side and Honey on the side of her and on the other side sat me on the inside and Mac on the outside.

We ordered more drinks and talked about life and work. From the conversation I learned. Mac lives by himself with two dogs and lives a couple of blocks away from me. Honey, who has been married for 3 years and together for 6 years lives together in a suburban area with her Honey, get it?

yeah, I know you do, go to hell.

He works as a big shot engineer. I was kind of jealous, wish I had a good man like that. Miranda lived with her sickly grandmother who she took care of, and she had 1 cat Gilbert, to which she went on and on about, an orange tabby who is 4 years old and is the biggest, sweetest asshole you’ll ever meet. I learned a bunch of stuff I didn’t care for.

Mac couldn’t take his eyes off Miranda, and Honey couldn’t take her off of the door. I didn’t dare look Miranda’s way.

The night went on just like this with all of us having a decent time and self-explaining a lot of our lives to each other.

After an hour or two passed every one of us became preoccupied with something and seemed like it would be an early night for us all.

Right on Cue, Honey made an announcement.

“sorry guys it’s getting late even for me, It was a blast”

yeah right, I thought, but she was buffalo’s sweetheart.

“I’m going to head home” After a little protest, we all said our goodbyes to her, and you bet your sweet ass I watched her leave. Married or not I can still look. That ass was spectacular.

Now that it was just the three of us; Mac declared.

“Hey, now that the married woman is gone. How about us singles go get a little more fucked than we are now? Of course responsibly” he added that last part looking Miranda's way.

I nodded agreeing that maybe we should responsibly get fucked up. Miranda nodded along with me in unison.

The night progressed into a bit more fun now that I was letting loose. We were hopping from bar to bar, trying to get me free drinks wherever I went.

One thing you have to remember about tonight. I am turning 21 and this is only my 3rd time drinking alcohol. The first two times I was peer pressured in catholic school. As long as you know that, then you know how fucked I will be tonight.

I did take it easy at first, even after watching Mac and Miranda down shot after shot. Miranda even did the squint and shake, which did something for me.

Made me want to drink even more.

Mac on the other hand seemed like he could handle his alcohol pretty well, but I had the feeling that it hadn’t hit him yet.

Our words started to slur around the fifth or fourth drink. You would think we always hung out and were the best of friends by the way we acted, with familiarity.

It was really funny seeing the reactions of everyone around. Miranda was playful and clingy, meanwhile, Mac became one of those Guido’s dancing ways too hard on the dance floor. I, on the other hand, don’t know per se, because I was so fucked, but if I did say; I probably looked out of place awkwardly walking around with an empty cup in my hand, singing happy birthday to myself.

After a couple of slow songs and slow laps around the club, Miranda pulled me to the side to walk with her outside to get some fresh air. I was grateful to her for this breather because I don’t know if I could take another song without a drop. Miranda noticed that her hand was in mine and let go, blushing red like a tomato. My eyes started to adjust to the night sky as I stumbled onto the sidewalk next to her.

Miranda was next to me trying to say something, but she just couldn’t get it out. I looked to the side of me at her and tilted my head in confusion.

She then grabbed both my hands and faced me towards her, and with a hiccup began talking slowly word by word, you know, in the way that drunk women talk with a hiccup every other word.

“listen…listen…Charlie… I just…want…to sa…”

She gagged a little on that last word before she could continue.

I interrupted by fixing the purple butterfly on the side of her head. It was childish, but it did add a nice touch. I brushed her hair to the side of her face and smiled. She looked up at me with a small sparkle in her eyes, I would even have called it cute. Maybe it was the alcohol, but Miranda was pretty cute. I mean I thought she was cute earlier too, but I was busy being depressed about Honey to notice.

Again, the alcohol was to blame, because I blurted out something embarrassing.

“you know I kind of like you this way.”

Her grasp on my hands let go. She was looking down at her feet.

I hesitated a bit before adding.

“umm”

But before I could even finish my rambling, Miranda grabbed ahold of both my wrist again and looked up at me with tears in her eyes.

“Char…lie”

She said as tears streamed down her face at a rapid pace. I took a mental step back, trying to figure out why she was crying. Did I hit a nerve? Did I say something off? Although she had a full grasp of my hands my arms were like dangling hostages. I tried a subtle movement, but I was stuck where I was. Her hold was firm, and her gaze was probably blurred by tears. So, I know she couldn’t see the distress on my face. She pulled me in closed so I could feel her breath on my neck. She was so small, that it hurt to be stuck like this, but I couldn’t force myself to move from this position. I wasn’t frozen it was more like I didn’t know what to do. Her mouth started to move against my ear.

“I like…you too” she whispered with a small slight hiccup.

Our cheeks rubbed together as she pulled away. My eyes didn’t widen like in the movies or books. My heart didn’t go pitter-patter, I just stood there and touched my cheek with my newly freed wrist.

Miranda, who had just up and invaded my personal space was now standing a couple of feet in front of me with her arms crossed behind her back.

She liked…too? When did I say anything like that? Had I too much to drink? What in the hell was this actual situation? For a moment I felt as if I was being glared at. A hole was being stared at into my back.

“Hi, Mac,” said the girl in front of me.

Mac was standing there with a green liquid spilling out to the ground. Then the whole night flashed around in my mind. I was remembering stuff from earlier, like that busty weirdo or that weird birthday rendition from maroon 5, then it hit me.

No, it literally hit me. Mac had landed a flush hit on my face. I was sitting dazed on the ground. The first thing that raced through my mind was that I had a damn weak jaw, how unfortunate. I didn’t believe what actually happened. I looked up to Miranda who was in a state of shock holding herself and then to Mac who was stalking over to me. Before Mac could come to me, Miranda came rushing to my side after her shock ran out. I brushed her hand aside, thinking not to make anything worse. I needed to get up and properly explain what was going on. I also wanted an explanation for everything happening. I got up to my feet, and Mac took another swing, I dodged back almost falling back onto my ass again. I was pushed too far, so I thought it was finally on.

I went straight to his knees and tackled him to the ground. My mind focused on Miranda's scream as a punch came straight up at me. I climbed on top of him and started to rain down punches. I punched the concrete, my hand tinged in pain when Mac grabbed ahold of my shirt and headbutted me. We both continued swinging wildly at each other before strangers came and broke it up. Miranda was crying in the background as we were both carried away from each other.

I managed to brush off the stranger and walk away before any repercussions were handed down. Mac was carried the opposite way so I didn’t see him after I was free.