We stepped out of the taxi in front of the bar, the yellow lights reflecting on the puddles left by the afternoon drizzle. Laughter from inside slipped through the half-open door, mixed with the smell of fried food and live music. Evelyn hopped out the moment the car stopped.
I took a deep breath before getting out. For a second, I saw myself in Rafael's arms again — the firm, almost desperate way he had carried me through the doors of the urgent care. The memory hit me fast, a hot flash in my chest, and I swallowed it down before it could hurt.
The heels Evelyn convinced me to wear felt unstable under my knees and, honestly, under this new version of me that I wasn't sure existed yet.
— Come on, Helena! — Evelyn called, adjusting her skirt. — Tonight is for relaxing, forgetting problems, and drinking something colorful and delicious.
— Colorful? — I raised an eyebrow.
— What, you think I'm gonna give you some brown, bitter drink on your first night out? — She laughed. — Please.
I tried to match her pace, but breathing the night air brought a strange chill to my stomach. A silly feeling that I was… forcing it. Dressing up, trying to fit into a place that wasn't mine yet.
But I walked in anyway.
We entered. The bar was crowded, the background music from a college band — not professional, but full of energy. Warm lights, tight tables, an easy, carefree atmosphere. Evelyn guided us to a small corner table that had just opened up.
— Perfect! — she smiled, pulling out her chair with enthusiasm. — This table has major "promising night" vibes.
I laughed, unsure that word applied to me at all.
We sat. Evelyn was already waving at the waiter, while I watched the movement around us, trying to ignore the sudden ache of homesickness that stabbed without warning.
That was exactly what I needed to avoid.
Evelyn leaned forward, eyes glowing.
— Ready to start the night?
I swallowed, but smiled.
— Yeah.Or wanted to be… or needed to be. Maybe it was all of that at once.
The waiter came, and Evelyn ordered two pink drinks full of ice and fruit.
I rested my elbow on the table, trying to keep my expression light, maybe even amused.After all… tonight was about making my heart believe it could breathe again.
— So? — Evelyn nudged my arm. — Ready to meet new people?
— New people? — I gave a crooked smile. — Please don't sell me off to anyone tonight.
— Helena, for God's sake… — she laughed. — You look stunning, your hair is amazing, your outfit is perfect. At least let the universe do its job.
I laughed.
— We'll see… — I said. — I'm still… adjusting.
Before I could think anymore, the drinks arrived — pink, cold, almost sparkling under the warm light.
Evelyn lifted her glass.
— What are we toasting to?
I thought for a second, breath catching.
— To new beginnings.
She smiled, satisfied.
Our glasses clinked in the air.
I settled more comfortably in the chair, trying to ignore the strange pressure the heels caused in my ankles.
At some point during the night, the tables were pushed aside. The music grew louder. The bar's center became an improvised dance floor, full of people moving, laughing, sweating, living.
Evelyn jumped to her feet and grabbed my hand.
— Come on, Helena! — she laughed, practically dragging me. — Come with me!
— For God's sake, Evelyn — I protested, already laughing. — I'm going, I'm going.
We stepped into the "dance floor." The music thumped through the floor, the chest, the ribs. Evelyn danced like someone born for it — light, careless, unashamed. And, to my own surprise, I was having fun.
Real fun.
Until a guy appeared dancing too close, with that intrusive confidence that said everything without a single word. He didn't touch me, but he got close enough for discomfort to crawl up my spine.
I stepped to the side, then another step… and another.
He insisted for two seconds — before Evelyn appeared like a storm.
— Sweetheart… go dance over there. — She said loud enough. — We're not interested.
The guy lifted his hands in fake surrender and left. Evelyn turned to me with an arched eyebrow.
— You good?
I nodded, laughing at the situation.
— Good.
By the time the night crept into early morning, I felt a sharp sting in my knee — the kind you can't ignore. I tried to hide it, but my body gave away everything before my mouth even opened.
— Evelyn… — I touched her arm. — I'm done. Seriously… my knee is begging for mercy.
She looked me up and down, as if making a medical assessment, then let out an "oh, enough" drenched in drama.
— Alright, alright… let's go. — She grabbed her bag and was already calling a taxi on her app.
I stayed a few seconds longer, watching the colorful lights cut through the soft haze, people laughing, the music pulsing. Everything felt so far from the Helena who had cried in that square days earlier.
The taxi arrived quickly. Evelyn practically held me by the elbows all the way to the door.
— Driver, here's the plan — she said, getting in first. — Drop my friend at this address, then take me home.
I collapsed onto the seat like my feet were about to explode.
— Evelyn, my God… I'm never wearing heels again. Never.
— Oh, shut up, you looked amazing. — She laughed. — If you complain, next time I'm bringing even higher heels.
I rolled my eyes but smiled. The truth was, I had no idea how my body was still standing.
The city slid past the window in a blur of yellow lights. I leaned my head against the glass, feeling the warmth of the alcohol mixed with exhaustion, and thought about how good it had been… for a few hours… to fill my head with loud music and dance like no one was watching.
When the taxi turned onto my street, I was thinking only about two things: bed and ice for my knee. But as soon as the car stopped in front of the gate…
My stomach flipped.
Rafael was there.
Sitting on the first step of the stairs, elbows on his knees, staring directly at the taxi as if he knew exactly who was arriving — as if he had been waiting.
The headlights hit his face for a second. It was impossible to read his expression… but it was fixed, alert, intense.
I felt Evelyn touch my arm.
— What is he…?
She didn't even finish. I cut her off immediately.
— Long story — I muttered, too quickly. — I'll explain later.
— Text me when you're inside, okay? — she asked softly.
— I will.
And just before the taxi pulled away, I took a deep breath. I needed courage… more than I'd realized.