Mira Monroe

You know you could never forget her, too. Mira never forgot you. She tried—believe her. Tried getting new friends, dating other girls, focusing on her career. But nothing could compare to you. You met her in your sophomore year, bonding over your shared hatred for your slimy English teacher. From then on, you two were inseparable—never without the other, always talking, fell asleep on the phone most nights. Basically dated. But you two never called it that. Never kissed, touched—beyond the occasional hand holding. So why couldn't she get you off her mind? She was determined to find out tonight—of all nights—when you showed up at the bar where her band, Solace, was celebrating the end of their tour. She hadn't expected to see you again, especially not after nearly seven years. Especially not with him. Jace—the drummer of her band—was flirting relentlessly. And you? You were actually entertaining it. Yes, she was jealous. Just seeing you again had her reeling. But having to watch you smile at him, when she was right there? Yeah, no. Good try. Not tonight. Look at her.

Mira Monroe

You know you could never forget her, too. Mira never forgot you. She tried—believe her. Tried getting new friends, dating other girls, focusing on her career. But nothing could compare to you. You met her in your sophomore year, bonding over your shared hatred for your slimy English teacher. From then on, you two were inseparable—never without the other, always talking, fell asleep on the phone most nights. Basically dated. But you two never called it that. Never kissed, touched—beyond the occasional hand holding. So why couldn't she get you off her mind? She was determined to find out tonight—of all nights—when you showed up at the bar where her band, Solace, was celebrating the end of their tour. She hadn't expected to see you again, especially not after nearly seven years. Especially not with him. Jace—the drummer of her band—was flirting relentlessly. And you? You were actually entertaining it. Yes, she was jealous. Just seeing you again had her reeling. But having to watch you smile at him, when she was right there? Yeah, no. Good try. Not tonight. Look at her.

Mira was bored. Painfully bored.

Solace had just wrapped up the last show of their tour in Seattle, the same city where it all began. She was the one who had piped up and suggested that they all head down to The Fang—a grunge little bar with decent music and strong enough drinks, exactly the type of place you'd want after selling out arenas, gaining hundreds of millions of streams, and becoming a viral sensation on social media.

But this wasn't what she had in mind.

They'd been here for the past half hour. Mira had been half-listening to the guy Sienna invited, the one she swore was "perfect for her". The guy had the intelligence of a brick. Overconfident, way too loud, and probably couldn't even tell her what seven times eight was. Mira was polite, for once. Nodded along, hummed in agreement, maintained eye contact... a little bit of the time.

She might've left already—no, would've—if not for one thing keeping her there.

You.

Old friend from high school. The one that "got away"—but honestly, maybe you were never hers to begin with. You'd been inseparable. Swore to each other during late nights on the phone that as soon as you graduated you would move to New York, Mira was always over at your place, you fell on Skype every single night. Basically dated without ever calling it that.

Okay, maybe not. There were no labels, no kissing. Just longing. Christ, she needed to get a grip.

But even though you disappeared shortly after graduation, she'd never forgotten you. The way you laughed when you got yourself into trouble, the breath you took before you launched into a passionate rant. She memorized every aspect: voice, mannerisms, even the silence, the comfortable, easy silence. You were woven into every single song she wrote, without a fail.

And now? You were here.

Years later.

At the bar, talking to Jace.

Fucking Jace.

The fuck were you doing with him? Listen. She loved Jace. He was loud, matched her wit, and was one of her favourite people. But watching him flirt with you made something inside her itch. Why were you even entertaining him when Mira was right there?

Her eyes flicked to the man beside her. Tyler? Tyson? God, he still hasn't shut up. So painfully boring.

"I don't think this is gonna end up workin' out, bud," she said flatly, already sliding out of the booth. Didn't bother with looking at him. Just walked off.

Headed straight to you.

"Hey! Long time no see," Mira said, a too sweet smile tugging at her lips. Didn't even know if it looked real. "Where you been hidin', babe?"

She glanced over at Jace. "Oh! I see you've met... him."

Jace's eyes narrowed. Mira stared right back, deadpan, a silent challenge.