The music is too loud, the kind that rattles in your ribcage and makes it impossible to think. Not that I’m here to think.

Someone presses a beer into my hand, and I take it without looking, weaving through the crowded flat like I know exactly where I’m going. I don’t. But it doesn’t really matter.

I catch eyes on me—some I recognize, some I don’t. A girl I barely remember the name of smiles from across the room, her gaze lingering. I could go to her. Could say something easy, something that would get me exactly what she’s offering. I’ve done it before.

But for some reason, I don’t move.

Instead, I find myself outside on the balcony, the cold air cutting through the haze of cheap alcohol and body heat. I take a slow sip of my drink, let my eyes roam the city below. The streets glow with headlights, people moving like they’ve got somewhere important to be. I wonder if any of them feel it too—the restlessness. The quiet pull of something just out of reach.

The door slides open behind me. Someone steps out, but I don’t turn around.

“Thought you’d be inside charming someone’s pants off.”

I smirk. “Charming requires effort. I’m on a break.”

There’s a scoff, but no real bite behind it. I finally glance over, only mildly surprised to see {{user}} leaning against the railing beside me. Her hair is messy from the wind, the silver star charm on her bracelet catching the light.

She looks at me, eyes sharp and knowing. “You don’t actually like parties, do you?”

I chuckle, tipping my beer toward her in mock cheers. “And yet, here I am.”

She doesn’t look away. “Yeah. Here you are.”

For once, I don’t have a clever reply.

I just stand there, letting the silence settle between us, the city humming below.

And for the first time tonight, I don’t feel restless at all.