*

Stella whisks Kevin straight to the group, introducing him to everyone, Luke included. Mia revels in the satisfaction of seeing Luke's eyes glued to Stella and her new beau.

Vanessa sidles up next to Mia, whispering, "Where on earth did you guys find this guy?"

"It's wild. We bumped into him at a café."

"At Tino's?" Vanessa asks, wide-eyed.

"Swear to God," Mia chuckles.

"I'm hitting up that café for my morning brew tomorrow."

"Isn't it miles away from your place, though?"

"For a face like that, I'd trek to Africa."

They share a laugh, but their mirth is cut short by Luke's sudden appearance. Mia forces an exaggerated smile at his visibly perturbed demeanor.

"What's up, Luke? Need something?" Mia asks.

"Who the hell is that guy?" Luke demands.

"That's Kevin," Mia replies casually.

"Don't play dumb with me, Mia."

"I'm not. Stella just introduced him to you. Were you wearing AirPods or something?"

"When... how... I mean, when did they meet? Has he been with her this whole time?"

"I'm not playing 20 questions with you, Luke. You have a girlfriend to attend to."

Luke scans the room, locking onto Kevin, who's effortlessly charming Stella with his jokes, her laughter ringing out as she touches his chest. This won't fly, he thinks, making his way towards them. But Jenna intercepts him, dumping her drink on his face. The party collectively gasps at the unfolding drama.

"Damn it, Luke! Or should I say, damn cheater?" Jenna screams.

"What the hell, Jenna!"

"Don't you dare come near me! How could you promise other girls to date them after graduation when you've been in a year-long relationship with me?"

"Who the hell told you that?"

"It's over, you pathetic excuse for a man," Jenna declares, storming out of the party, leaving Luke staring after her in shock.

"What the hell did you two do?" Luke barks at Mia and Stella.

"Maybe you should go chase after your girl, Luke," Mia retorts, a smirk playing on her lips.

"You witch! This isn't finished," Luke growls as he rushes after Jenna.

Vanessa gives Mia a high-five. "Damn, girl! You just earned a spot in my top three favorite people."

"Who's in the top two?" Mia asks.

"Joe and Nick Jonas."

They both chuckle as Stella takes a break from Kevin to join them, and Vanessa suggests, "Let's get wasted."

"That's the plan," Stella agrees. "Here's to new beginnings!"

The girls raise their glasses. "Cheers to new beginnings!" they cheer in unison.

A couple of hours later, no one can see the dance floor. It's wall to wall, people dancing to the music. There's no room for any more but somehow when Mia and Stella hit it, the space magically comes. The music is all nineteen nineties but they're dancing like it's jive, twisting, turning, holding hands as they change sides. They're all grins, they look like idiots and they don't care. Inside they're just happy, happy, and more alive than they were ever in school. Mia feels the part of her that's really her coming out to play, to feel the vibe of the music and let her body go free. One moment, one brilliant feeling of togetherness suspended in time. In ten years she'll still remember tonight. She loves the quiet life but she relishes the crazy fun times. Music, friends, good times, dance. Then she can focus on life, learn the facts, get a job, and be the good girl. Can she help it if her soul loves a kicking beat? 

Kevin comes and borrows Stella to dance with him and Mia is alone.

She watches Stella laughing and dancing with Kevin. She feels a pinch of sadness as she wishes it was her and Xavier. With all the alcohol in her system, she begins to think Stella was right about her making the moves with him. Vanessa meets her on the dance floor and pulls her out of her thoughts into another dance.

A couple of minutes later, everything begins to blur. The alcohol is kicking in and fast. Mia lets the intoxication close her eyes and lets her body move with the beats, thinking about Xavier. She feels him dancing with her, touching her body, and whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

Her heart thumps inside her chest, ready to burst out when somebody bumps into her and she opens her eyes.

"I feel so hot. I should get rid of this dress." Mia says slowly

She grabs the hem of her dress ready to pull it off when a figure in a grey suit stops her and holds her hands. Her eyes can't seem to focus on the figure but everyone starts whispering. The figure steadies himself behind her. 

"Who the heck are you? I don't wanna dance," slurs a drunken Mia, staggering dangerously close to tripping before the figure catches her.

"Let me go," Mia protests, twisting in his grasp.

"Not happening," he replies, his voice oddly familiar to Mia's ears.

Mia bites his hand, causing him to yelp in surprise and tighten his grip on her arm.

"Why'd you bite me?" he demands, clearly shocked.

"You weren't letting me go," Mia whispers, her breath heavy with alcohol.

"Like I said, not an option," he responds, his gaze fixated on her lips.

Time seems to stand still as they lock eyes. Mia kicks his leg, making him wince, but he just tightens his hold on her waist.

"Don't move," he orders.

"Hey! You're not the boss of me!" Mia retorts defiantly.

In a matter of seconds, the figure hoists a yelping and giggling Mia onto his shoulder and makes his way towards the exit.