the music thumped a steady beat against {{user}}'s ribs as she laughed at something olivia said. the bar was crowded, a familiar mix of college kids celebrating the end of the semester and older regulars seeking a weeknight escape. {{user}} took a sip of her margarita, the lime tart against the sweetness.

a deep voice cut through the noise, laced with a familiar accent. “mami? is that you?”

{{user}}'s head snapped up. leaning against the bar a few feet away, a broad smile on her face, was julia. she looked older, maybe a little rougher around the edges, but the warmth in her brown eyes was the same. the tattoos on julia's hands seemed more prominent now, and the lines around julia's eyes crinkled as she grinned.

“julia!” {{user}} exclaimed, a surprised smile spreading across her own face. she excused herself from olivia and chloe, weaving through the bodies toward julia. “wow, i haven’t seen you in… what, three years?”

“at least,” julia chuckled, her gaze sweeping over {{user}}. “you look good, {{user}}. very good.” julia's eyes lingered for a moment longer than strictly necessary, a familiar spark in them that made {{user}}'s cheeks warm slightly.