John & Katie

The Night Before Us

KATIE.

The afternoon sun warmed the park as we gathered together, the children playing nearby while we enjoyed our usual time catching up. Before long, our conversation drifted from work to the Friday night out we had all been eagerly anticipating.

“So,” I asked Susan with a grin, “have you decided what you’re wearing?”

She gave a small shrug.

“Maybe jeans.”

The rest of the girls immediately pulled out their phones, scrolling through outfit ideas and debating dresses, shoes, hairstyles, and accessories as if they were preparing for a fashion show instead of a night out dancing.

I couldn’t help but smile as they compared heels, traded links to outfits, and offered opinions on what everyone should wear, and somehow the excitement of getting ready was almost as much fun as the night itself.

Growing up in St. Lucia, clubs had never been part of my world. My life had revolved around family and work, leaving little room for late nights or crowded dance floors. For the first time in my life, I was actually going dancing. The thought of losing myself in the music, surrounded by flashing lights and strangers, filled me with equal parts excitement and nervous anticipation.

I couldn’t help but smile.

The rest of the week flew by. Before I knew it, Friday had arrived.

Susan brought an overnight bag to work with her that morning because she would be spending the weekend at my place. After work, we stopped by my favorite Chinese restaurant before heading to my apartment, our arms loaded with steaming bags of takeout.

The rich aroma of fried rice, sesame chicken, and crispy egg rolls quickly filled my tiny kitchen as we unpacked everything onto the table. We ate until we were completely full, laughing between bites and talking about the night ahead. Every story we shared and every burst of laughter made the evening slip by a little faster. Our excitement was building with each passing minute.

Our plan was simple. We were meeting the girls at ten o’clock outside the Tropicana.

When dinner was over, we cleared the table and took turns showering.

Just then, my phone buzzed across the dresser.

John.

A smile found its way onto my face before I even answered.

“Hey.”

“Hey, beautiful. How are you?”

“Good. Susan and I are getting ready to meet the girls.”

“Oh yeah? Where are you ladies headed?”

“The Tropicana.”

“Have fun.” His voice softened. “Just be careful.”

“I will.”

“But don’t have toomuch fun,” he added with a teasing laugh.

I couldn’t help but snicker.

“I’ll do my best.”

“So, what are your plans tonight?” I asked.

“Most likely hanging out with Alec at our favorite pub,” he replied. “Nothing too exciting.”

A brief silence settled between us before he spoke again.

“And don’t forget about our plans tomorrow night.”

“As if I could,” I said, smiling to myself. “I’ve been looking forward to it all week.”

“So have I.”

Neither of us seemed eager to end the conversation. We lingered in the comfortable silence for another moment before finally saying our goodbyes and hanging up.

Susan walked out of the bathroom and immediately reached for her overnight bag. She placed it on my bed, unzipped it, and turned it upside down. Clothes spilled across the blankets in a messy pile as she searched through everything inside.

I cracked up.

“Susan... are we going dancing or moving you in?”

She flashed me an innocent smile. “A girl needs options.”

“You’ve got enough options for the whole building.”

“Exactly.”

She placed one knee on the bed, sorting through the pile while humming along to the music drifting from my stereo.

She held up two dresses. “Which one says, ‘I’m fun,’ but not ‘I’m trying too hard’?”

I pointed to the black one.

“The other one says you’re going to brunch with your grandmother.”

She chuckled, tossing the floral dress over her shoulder.

“You’re impossible.”

“And yet... here you are asking for my help.”

She disappeared into my bathroom with the black dress in hand.

A minute later, she stepped back out and gave me a slow turn.

“So?”

I tilted my head.

“The dress is cute.”

Her smile faltered just a little.

“But...”

“The shoes.”

She looked down.

“You don’t like them?”

“They’re nice...” I said, trying to picture the whole outfit. “Just not withthatdress.”

She kicked one heel off with a dramatic sigh.

“I knew it.”

Back into the bathroom she went.

I couldn’t stop smiling.

The next twenty minutes flew by in a blur of outfit changes, borrowed earrings, rejected shoes, and a growing mountain of clothes taking over my bedroom. Every time Susan came out, she’d pause in front of the mirror, smooth the fabric over her hips, then look at me without saying a word.

Sometimes all it took was the look on my face.

“No?” she’d ask.

I scrunched my nose.

She’d shake her head, and disappear again.

Finally, she stepped out wearing a fitted emerald-green dress with strappy black heels.

She didn’t ask what I thought.

She caught her reflection in the mirror and grinned to herself.

I smiled too.

“There you are.”

She looked at me through the mirror.

“You think this is it?”

“I know it is.”

Her shoulders relaxed, and the biggest grin spread across her face.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

She turned once, dancing to the music that drifted from the stereo in the living room. Filling the apartment with an upbeat rhythm that already had us swaying without realizing it, as she admired the way the dress moved before reaching for the earrings she’d set aside earlier.

“I actually feel pretty.”

“You look gorgeous.”

Her smile softened.

She said thanks, while fastening the earrings one at a time before glancing over at me.

“You know,” she said, “I never thanked you for letting me take over your bedroom.”

I giggled, looking around my bedroom at the clothes and shoes scattered across the bed, floor, and chair, with makeup spread across my vanity.

“I’ll forgive you... this once.”

She grinned.

“You’re a good friend, Katie.”

“So are you.”

Her eyes drifted to the black dress that hung on the door, along with the heels and silver necklace I’d picked out earlier.

“You’ve already got everything ready.”

“I figured if I waited until you got here, we’d never make it out the door.”

She laughed.

“You’re probably right.”

I quickly got dressed, and was ready in ten minutes.

The black fitted dress hugged every curve, the thin spaghetti straps resting delicately against my shoulders. The hem stopped mid-thigh, revealing just enough skin to make me feel confident without crossing the line into uncomfortable. I finished the look with silver hoop earrings, a delicate necklace that caught the light, and matching silver heels that gave me just the right amount of height.

Susan slipped into her heels while she gave herself one last look in the mirror.

“Ready?” I asked.

Susan took a deep breath, her excitement impossible to hide.

She flashed me a smile.

“Let’s go make tonight one to remember.”

I took one last look in the mirror, smoothing the invisible wrinkles.

For a moment, I hardly recognized the woman staring back at me.

I couldn’t help but grin.

“You look incredible,” Susan said.

I snicker and gave her a playful spin.

“So do you.”

We exchanged one last approving glance before checking for the essentials—phones, keys, lip gloss, and our wallets.

Satisfied that we had everything, we headed downstairs and hailed a cab.

Outside, The Bronx pulsed with life.

Headlights streamed through the streets like ribbons of light. Yellow cabs weaved through traffic, horns echoed from every direction, and sidewalks overflowed with people. The city buzzed with an energy that was impossible to ignore.

Music spilled from passing cars, blending with the steady hum of traffic as crowds filled the sidewalks, each person chasing their own version of the perfect Friday night.

The excitement was impossible not to catch.

By the time our cab pulled up outside The Tropicana, it was already 10:05 p.m.

A long line stretched from the entrance, curling down the sidewalk. You could feel the bass of the music thumping through the walls, the rhythm vibrating beneath our feet while buzz of exciteed voices drifted from the crowd waiting to get inside.

Ava and Mia were already standing near the entrance in line.

Ava wore a black mini skirt paired with a shimmering gold top that caught the glow of every passing headlight, making her sparkle each time she moved. Beside her, Mia looked stunning in a short silver dress that hugged her figure, the fabric glimmering with every step she took.

The moment they spotted us, both of them waved enthusiastically.

“Hey!” they called as Susan and I made our way over.

Ava’s eyes widened as she slowly looked us up and down.

“Well...” she said, breaking into a broad smile. “You ladies look hot.”

She pressed a dramatic hand against her chest.

“No... let me correct that.”

“You two look absolutely smoking hot.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

Susan and I exchanged embarrassed smiles before the four of us erupt into giggles..

We waited another ten minutes before a cab finally pulled up.

Rose and Liv stepped out, and the moment they approached, heads turned. They looked stunning, their confidence shining as brightly as their outfits.

Liv wore a silver shimmer romper that fell to her upper thighs, catching the light with every step she took. Rose looked equally breathtaking in a black off-the-shoulder gold shimmer mini dress that hugged every curve, perfectly complementing her figure.

“You girls look gorgeous,” Susan said, smiling as she admired them.

Liv looked around at all of us and grinned.

“We all look hot,” she declared. “These men won’t be able to keep their hands to themselves tonight.”

We all burst into laughter.

Now that everyone had arrived, Ava clapped her hands together, her excitement impossible to miss.

“All right, ladies,” Ava announced, turning toward us with a huge smile. “Are we ready to make tonight one we’ll never forget?”

A chorus of cheers erupted.

“We’re not leaving until the lights come on,” Rose declared confidently.

Liv said, “I am looking for a hot guy tonight. I need a little attention, if you ladies know what I mean.”

“The five of us laughed, shaking our heads at Liv’s confidence as we inched closer to the club entrance.”

“Girl, you’re not even inside yet, and you’re already on the hunt,” Mia teased.

Liv shrugged, adjusting her dress with a confident smile. “A girl has to have goals.”

“Well, let’s hope the club is ready for you,” Ava joked.

I looked around at my friends, all of us dressed up and standing outside the club, excitement written across our faces as we waited to get inside.

We finally made it inside, and the moment I stepped through the doors, it felt like I had entered a completely different world.

The deep bass of the music hit my chest before I even took another step, vibrating through the floor and pulling me toward the energy that filled the room. Colored lights flashed across the crowded dance floor, painting everyone in shades of blue, purple, and gold as people moved together to the beat.

The air was filled with the scent of perfume, sweat and alcohol being carried through the crowd. Groups of friends gathered around high tables, couples danced close together, and strangers smiled at one another as if they had known each other for years.

I stood there for a moment, taking it all in. The noise, the lights, the excitement—it was nothing like anything I had ever experienced before.

Beside me, Susan looked just as amazed, our faces lit up as we realized this was really happening.

The music was louder than anything I had ever experienced. The entire place seemed alive.

We found a table near the edge of the dance floor where we could still see everything happening around us. We squeezed together, giggling as we settled into our seats.

When the server came over, everyone immediately started ordering.

I listened carefully as the girls ordered drinks I had never heard of, saying the names with such confidence that they made it sound effortless.

When it was my turn, I smiled.

“I’ll have a bottle of water and a ginger ale.”

The table went quiet.

I looked around slowly, five faces turned toward me.

Ava stared at me like I had just announced I was leaving.

“Katie... seriously?”

“What?”

“We came to have fun,” Rose said, shaking her head. “You can’t sit here all night drinking water.”

Mia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop smiling.

Susan leaned closer.

“Come on. Just try something.”

I looked at all of them.

“Fine. But you are ordering for me.”

The girls cheered like I had just agreed to something much bigger than a drink.

A few minutes later, the server returned with two trays. One with shots and the other with colorful cocktails. The glasses sparkled beneath the flashing lights, making them look almost too pretty to drink.

Rose lifted hers first.

“To friendship.”

“To new experiences,” Mia added.

“To our first girls’ night out,” Ava said.

We all giggled and tapped our glasses together.

I watched everyone drink it in one go, then copied them.

The second the drink hit the back of my throat, I immediately understood why everyone had been laughing at my nervousness.

The taste was completely unexpected.

I coughed, my eyes watering as Mia covered her mouth, trying to hold back her laughter, while the others quickly followed.

Ava reached over, patting my back.

“You okay?”

I nodded, laughing along with them.

“I don’t know if I like this.” I finally managed to say.

“Give it a minute and take a sip of your other drink,” Liv said, grinning.

After the first round of drinks, the nervousness that had followed us through the door slowly disappeared. Susan and I, who had been standing close together, unsure of what to do or where to go, were now feeling more at ease, our smiles brighter as we started to relax and enjoy the night.

“Come on!” Mia shouted over the music, grabbing my hands before I can argue and pulling us toward the dance floor.

At first, I moved cautiously, glancing around and trying to find the rhythm. But as the beat took over, the hesitation disappeared. We laughed at ourselves, danced together, and forgot about everyone else around us.

Liv was the first to really let loose, spinning around with a huge grin on her face. Ava and Rose joined in, cheering each other on, while Susan and I—who had been so unsure about the club—started laughing as we moved with the music.

I looked around at my friends, their faces glowing under the flashing lights, and realized this was the kind of night I always wanted to experience.

Just six friends, a dance floor, and a memory we would never forget.

A few minutes later, the music changed.

The beat grew louder.

The crowd on the dance floor cheered.

We were screaming the words to a song as we danced. The six of us stayed together, moving as a group beneath the flashing lights. We laughed at our own dance moves, bumped shoulders, and sang along to songs we barely knew the words to.

The confidence slowly started to come.

Because of the drinks and the people around me.

I felt free.

As the night went on, a few men approached us and asked us to dance.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to do.

This was all new.

But my friends smiled, encouraged me, and before long, we were accepting a few invitations.

Just enjoying the excitement of being somewhere completely different from our everyday lives.

At some point, I realized I was smiling so much my cheeks hurt.

Later in the evening, I found myself with another drink in my hand, moving with the music while my friends danced around me.

Hours passed in a blur of music, flashing lights, and memories being created one song at a time.

For one night, none of us had an agenda.

We were just six friends enjoying our first real night out.

The flashing lights, the pounding music, and the energy of the crowd was exhilarating.

Eventually, after hours of dancing in heels, my feet began to protest.

I carefully made my way back to our table, trying not to wince with every step, and sank into my chair with a relieved sigh.

A few minutes later, Mia noticed me sitting alone and walked over.

“You doing okay?” she asked.

“I am. But my feet are killing me.”

She looked down at my heels and shook her head.

“Then take them off.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Seriously?”

“Seriously. Nobody cares. Come back out there and enjoy yourself.”

I glanced around the club.

She was right.

Women were dancing barefoot, while others had their heels tied to their belt loops. No one was judging or paying attention.

Everyone was too busy enjoying the night.

I slipped off my shoes and sighed in relief as my aching feet touched the cool floor beneath me.

The pain faded almost instantly.

I smiled, took Mia’s hand, and followed her back onto the dance floor.

Then, without warning, the music stopped. A moment later, the house lights flickered on. A collective groan echoed throughout the club.

The sudden silence felt almost unnatural after hours of pounding beats and excitement.

Still smiling, we gathered our things and slowly made our way outside with the rest of the crowd.

The cool night air wrapped around us, a welcome relief of hours spent inside the crowded club. I took a deep breath, letting the fresh air replace the mix of perfume, smoke, and heat that had filled the room.

I checked my phone.

3:00 a.m.

The streets were quieter now, but New York never truly slept. Cars moved through the intersections, streetlights cast a golden glow across the sidewalks, and the city continued on as if it had been waiting for us to step outside.

As everyone said their goodbyes, Rose, Mia, and Ava climbed into a cab back to Brooklyn, while Liv left with the guy she had met earlier in that night.

Susan and I caught a cab back to my place.

Sitting in the back seat, I watched the city lights blur past the window as we drove through the quiet streets. The excitement of the night slowly faded into exhaustion, leaving behind only memories, and the feeling that we had experienced something special.

By the time I unlocked my apartment door, it was nearly 3:30 a.m.

We were completely drained.

My feet ached from hours of dancing.

My hair carried the lingering scent of smoke and perfume.

But as I stepped inside and closed the door behind us, I couldn’t help but smile.

It had been everything I never knew I needed.

There was no way I was climbing into bed feeling sticky from hours of dancing.

I headed straight for the shower, letting the warm water wash away the sweat, the exhaustion, and the lingering scent of the club. The steam filled the bathroom as I stood there, finally allowing my body to relax after the long night.

Susan followed right after.

Only then did we crawl into bed, exhausted but still smiling from the memories we had made.

Just as I thought sleep was about to take over, Susan suddenly spoke.

“I met a guy named Bob, and he asked for my number.”

I turned toward her, instantly awake again.

“Really? Is he cute?”

A smile spread across her face.

“He is. He said he’ll call me tomorrow.”

We stayed awake for a little while longer, talking quietly about the night—the music, the dancing, and everything in between.

Eventually, exhaustion won.

Sleep took over before either of us realized it.

The next day, it was twelve-thirty by the time I finally opened my eyes.

My head was pounding.

I reached for two aspirin and a bottle of water, hoping they would help, then headed straight for the shower to wake myself up. Susan did the same, moving around the apartment with the same tired but satisfied expression.

While she showered, I made my way into the kitchen.

Soon, the apartment filled with the comforting aroma of sizzling bacon and buttery pancakes. I scrambled eggs, poured fresh orange juice into two glasses, and arranged everything on the table just as Susan walked into the kitchen.

Her hair was still damp, and a relaxed smile rested on her face.

Then her eyes landed on the breakfast spread.

They widened.

“Wow... this looks amazing.”

I laughed as she took a seat.

We dug into breakfast, as we replayed the highlights of the night before.

Every joke, dance, and unforgettable moments.

And somehow, sitting there in my small apartment, sharing breakfast with my friend after a night I never thought I would experience, I realized it had been one of the best nights I had ever had.

“I had such a great time,” Susan said between bites.

A shy grin spread across her face as she glanced down at her plate.

“And Bob...?” Katie said looking at her questionably.

She paused, trying—and failing—to hide her excitement.

“I received a text from him. He wants to take me out today.”

I smiled, “Really?”

She nodded.

“Yep.”

I leaned forward, unable to hide my curiosity.

“So...” I said grinning.

“Where’s he taking you?”

“I’m not sure.” She said nervously.

“What time is your date?” I asked.

Susan finished the last sip of her orange juice before answering.

“I’ll be meeting him around five this afternoon. He’s going to text me when he gets here.”

I nodded, then glanced at the clock on the wall. A flutter of excitement settled in my stomach as I remembered I had my own date to look forward to.

“I’ll be meeting John at seven. We’re meeting at Lexington Avenue and 59th Street in Manhattan.”

Susan grinned.

“Let me give you a key to my place. That way, if my date runs late, you can let yourself in.”

I reached into my purse, pulled out my spare key, and placed it on the table. Susan reached across and took it, looking at me with a grateful smile.

“Thank you,” she said. “I really appreciate it.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon doing absolutely nothing, savoring the peaceful lull after the excitement of the night before. We talked over little things, and simply enjoyed each other’s company until the sun began to dip, reminding us it was finally time to get ready.

By five o’clock, Susan’s phone buzzed.

A smile immediately appeared on her face as she looked at the screen.

“I’m off,” she said, gathering her things.

“Have fun,” I replied.

She smiled. “You too.”

We hugged goodbye before she headed downstairs.

The moment the door clicked shut behind her, the apartment seemed to exhale, settling into a quiet stillness. I lingered for a moment, letting the silence wash over me.

In just a couple of hours...

I would be meeting John for our first real date.