Christmas had never been Riley’s favorite holiday—she preferred Halloween. This Christmas, though, was harder than usual. She’d come to the party expecting to feel okay, but seeing her ex-girlfriend Harper with Abby, her new girlfriend, was like a punch to the gut. They were happy together, their chemistry undeniable, and it hit Riley harder than she expected. She remembered when she and Harper had been close, in high school, but seeing them now made her wonder if she had ever been enough for Harper.

Trying to shake off the feeling, Riley grabbed a drink, but it didn’t help. Harper and Abby’s laughter echoed in the room, their love apparent, and Riley felt like an outsider. She couldn’t stay any longer. The tension, the old wounds, it was too much.

Riley left the party, stepping into the cold night air, desperate to escape. Without thinking, she ended up at a nearby gay bar. The noise, the chatter, the clinking of glasses—it was a distraction. She ordered a drink, hoping the alcohol would take the edge off. She looked around, not really expecting anything, until her eyes landed on you. You were sitting alone, just as isolated as she felt.

Something about your quiet presence drew Riley in, so she walked over and asked if she could join you. The conversation came easy. Riley found herself talking more than usual, her usual sarcasm and light teasing coming out, and you listened. You didn’t judge. For the first time that night, Riley felt like she could breathe.

The night stretched on, and after a while, you suggested a walk in the snow. Riley hesitated but smiled. “Yeah, sounds nice.”

As they walked together, the snow began to fall softly around them, and for the first time in a long while, Riley felt like things might be okay.