Chapter two.

It has been two weeks of academic torture,

But now, it was over; I had just sat for my last exam for the semester and I couldn't be more relieved.

I lay sprawled on my bed, half of my face mashed into the pillow.

I let out a slow breath and smiled bitterly to myself. "Starting the semester with your boyfriend and ending it walking in on him mid-stroke is wild,” I muttered aloud to no one.

There was no one to hear me anyway.

Jeff was gone.

And despite how it had all ended, I felt... free, not fully healed, but lighter.

Still, my mind wandered. Not to Jeff. No.

But him.

The mysterious stranger.

I hissed softly, dragging my palm down my face. “Why the hell is your face still living rent-free in my damn head?”

It wasn’t fair.

I didn’t even know his name, didn’t know if I’d ever see him again, and yet, every time I closed my eyes, there he was.

Every moment since that night had felt... I don't think I have a word for it.

The only person I could talk to was Gia, my roommate, but she’d been practically living at her boyfriend’s place lately. Not that I blamed her, Gia was in love, and unlike my expired relationship, hers seemed pretty genuine.

The door suddenly creaked open just then, breaking my chain of thoughts.

“Knock knock, zombie,” Gia teased, walking fully into the room.

I propped myself up on one elbow, giving her a warm smile. “Hey, stranger.”

“Man, you look like you just came out of a warzone,” she said, eyeing me.

“I did,” I shrugged. “Philosophy, my last exam today, I'm glad the torture is finally over.”

She giggled. “So... now that the torment is over, do you have plans for tonight?”

I flopped back onto my pillow. “Mm. Thinking of marrying my bed and watching movies on my phone.”

Gia’s brows shot up. “Seriously?”

“Seriously.”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “You do realize what today is, right?”

I blinked. “Uh... Thursday?”

Her mouth fell open in mock betrayal. “Renna!”

“What?” I frowned. “What did I... oh shit.” I sat up abruptly. “Is it your birthday?!”

She crossed her arms and gave me the look. "Wow. Wow, Renna.”

“Gosh, I’m so sorry, Gia,” I groaned, pouting like a guilty child. “I’ve been... my mind’s been all over the place, I'm really sorry."

She waved it off with a smile. “Relax. I totally get it, heartbreak sucks, exams suck even more, but it is my birthday, and my sweet, amazing boyfriend made a reservation at Club Tryst tonight.”

I lifted a brow. “That super exclusive place outside campus?”

“Yep.” She grinned proudly.

"Wow, I'm really happy for you Gia, you won with this one."

She nodded frantically, fanning herself proudly.

"But the real question though, are you coming?”

I hesitated.

“Gia... I don’t know.”

“Renna,” she pouted. “Look, I know things have been rough lately, but you’ve been locked up in here, eating noodles and sniffing; this... this could help, you need a night out, a little dancing, a little drink, maybe even a little flirting.”

I "I don’t know if I’m ready for all that.” I winced.

“You don’t have to do anything but be there,” she insisted. “Come hang out, let loose, and also make up for forgetting my birthday."

I groaned and threw the pillow at her.

"So, what do you say?” she stared at me, hands akimbo.

I paused, chewing my lip. My first instinct was to say no.

But what was I going to do instead? Sit in bed and fantasize about a mystery man who probably can't even remember an inch of me.

Gia stood and walked over to me, extending her hand. “Please?”

I sighed dramatically, then took her hand. “Fine. I’ll come.”

She squealed like a child. “Yesss!”

“On one condition,” I said, raising a finger. “We don’t bring up Jeff, or school, or those ugly-ass earrings.”

Gia laughed so hard she had to wipe her eyes. “Deal.”

She practically skipped to the wardrobe. “Now, let’s find you a killer outfit.”

I groaned. “Do I have to wear a dress?”

“Oh, honey,” she said over her shoulder. “You are letting lose tonight."

**

Later that night...

As I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the black satin dress over my hips, I barely recognized myself.

Gia had insisted I wear her bodycon slip dress, simple but tad bit revealing and tempting. My curves were perfectly hugged, the neckline just scandalous enough, and the slit along my thigh whispered temptation with every step. My usually lazy ponytail had been transformed into a sleek, low bun, and a bold red lip completed the look.

“You look hot,” Gia grinned, adjusting her earrings.

I turned side to side. “I feel like I’m impersonating someone far more confident.”

"You're impersonating the real you, babe.”

My phone suddenly buzzed.

I picked it up and glanced at the screen.

Nothing from Jeff. Not that I wanted anything. But still... nothing.

Good.

I dropped it back onto the dresser and exhaled.

Maybe tonight really was about letting go.

“Ready?” Gia asked, grabbing her tiny purse.

I nodded, forcing a smile. “Let’s do this.”

As we stepped out of the house, into the busy street, I realized... maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I needed this.

The pain, the thoughts, the mysterious man haunting my head, they would all still be there tomorrow.

But tonight?

Tonight, I was going to be Renna again.

Maybe even a version of her I hadn’t met yet.