Chapter 2
Sarah sat quietly on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor. She had been home for almost an hour, but she still hadn't changed out of the clothes she wore to meet George. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her chest still felt painfully tight.
Her mother knocked softly before opening the door. She stepped into the room and immediately noticed Sarah's red eyes. “Sarah?”
Sarah quickly wiped her face with the back of her hand and looked away. “Yes… Mum...”
Her mother walked closer and sat beside her, studying her face. “You need to take this easy with yourself.”
Sarah lowered her head, twisting her fingers together. She tried to hold the tears back, but her lips trembled. “Mom…” her voice cracked. “I did nothing wrong, so why would he break up with me?”
Her mother pulled her into a hug. Sarah immediately broke down against her shoulder. “He said he doesn't love me anymore,” she cried. “He has someone else.”
Her mother's arms tightened around her. “I'm so sorry, sweetheart.”
Sarah pulled away and wiped her cheeks. “I don't understand. How can someone you spent years loving suddenly become a stranger?”
Her father sighed and sat on the other side of her. “Sometimes people make choices we don't understand.”
Sarah shook her head. “I don't want to talk about it anymore.”
Her mother gently brushed her hair away from her face. “Then you don't have to. But don't keep everything inside.”
A knock sounded at the front door before anyone could say anything else. And before opening the door, Sarah already knew who it was.
Tina appeared in the bedroom doorway carrying two bottles of drinks. She smiled briefly at Sarah's parents before looking at Sarah. Her expression immediately changed.
“Oh, Sarah,” she said softly, placing the bottles on the table. “That bastard.”
Sarah gave a weak laugh and wiped another tear from her cheek. “I feel stupid.”
Tina squeezed her hand. “You're not stupid.”
“I loved him,” Sarah whispered.
“I know.” Tina's expression softened. “Then tonight, we're going out.”
Sarah looked at her in confusion. “What?”
Tina stood and reached for her bag. “We're going to a bar.”
Sarah immediately shook her head. “I don't want to go anywhere.”
“Exactly why you need to go.” Tina pointed toward the wardrobe. “You're going to sit here all night thinking about George if I leave you alone.”
Sarah sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Tina...”
“No.” Tina crossed her arms. “Just one night. You don't have to forget him. You just need to breathe.”
Sarah stared at her for several seconds before finally giving in. “Fine.”
Tina smiled. “Good. Get changed.”
An hour later, they were sitting inside a crowded bar filled with music, laughter, and flashing lights. Sarah held her glass with both hands while Tina watched her carefully from across the table.
“Don't overdo it,” Tina warned, lifting her own glass.
Sarah took a sip and shrugged. “I'm fine.”
Tina raised an eyebrow. “You said that at home too.”
Sarah rolled her eyes before taking another sip.
Tina laughed. “At least you're talking now.”
Sarah took another drink. One drink became two. Soon, the heaviness in her chest began to fade. She leaned back in her chair and laughed when Tina made a silly comment about someone dancing nearby.
Tina pointed at her with a grin. “There. That's the Sarah I know.” Tina glanced at her phone before slipping it into her handbag. “I need to take this call,” Tina said, standing from her seat.
Sarah looked up at her and nodded. “Okay.”
Tina picked up her bag and leaned closer. “I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere.”
Sarah gave her a small smile. “I won't.”
Tina looked at her for a moment, as if she wanted to say something else, but eventually nodded. “Good. And maybe you should try bringing another in-law home,” she winked.
Sarah covered her mouth as she laughed genuinely for the first time that night, then her eyes shifted across the bar, and that was when she noticed a woman looking directly at her.
The woman stood near the counter with a drink in her hand, watching Sarah with a faint smile. When their eyes met, she raised her glass slightly before taking a sip.
Sarah looked away, but curiosity made her glance back a few seconds later. The woman was still watching her.
She eventually left her spot at the counter and walked toward Sarah. “Is this seat taken?” the woman asked, resting one hand on the back of the empty chair.
Sarah shook her head and moved her glass aside. “No.”
The woman pulled out the chair and sat down. “I'm Sylvia.”
“Sarah.” She wrapped both hands around her glass and looked at the woman cautiously.
Sylvia smiled. “Sarah. That's a beautiful name.”
Sarah gave a small, awkward smile and lowered her gaze. “Thank you.”
Sylvia lifted her drink and took a slow sip. “You look like you've had a rough night.”
Sarah let out a quiet laugh. “You have no idea.”
“I can tell.” Sylvia rested her elbow on the table, studying Sarah's face. “But you have a really beautiful smile.”
Sarah blinked and looked at her.
Sylvia smiled when she noticed Sarah's reaction. “What?”
“Nothing.” Sarah quickly looked down and took another sip.
Sylvia chuckled softly. “You're shy.”
“I'm not.” Sarah shook her head, though the small smile on her lips betrayed her.
Sylvia leaned back in her chair. “Sure.”
Sarah laughed under her breath.
Sylvia watched her for another moment before asking, “Are you here alone?”
“My friend is around somewhere.” Sarah glanced toward the other side of the bar.
Sylvia followed her gaze before looking back at Sarah. “Then I guess I have a little time to keep you company.”
Sarah raised an eyebrow. “You don't even know me.”
“That's true.” Sylvia smiled as she traced a finger around the rim of her glass. “But I'd like to.”
Sarah didn't know how to respond. She looked down at her drink, suddenly aware of how close Sylvia was sitting.
Sylvia leaned slightly toward her. “You know, you really are beautiful.”
Sarah's cheeks warmed. She quickly lifted her glass and took a sip to hide it.
Sylvia laughed softly. “There it is again.”
Sarah lowered the glass. “What?”
“That blush.”
Sarah shook her head. “It's the alcohol.”
“Maybe.” Sylvia smiled.
Sarah looked at her, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Sylvia's gaze slowly dropped to Sarah's lips before returning to her eyes.
Sarah noticed, and her heart skipped. She knew she should look away, but she couldn't. Sylvia leaned closer, giving Sarah enough time to stop her, but Sarah remained still, and their lips met.
Sarah froze, her eyes widening as the unfamiliar sensation registered.
For a moment, she didn't respond. Then the alcohol, the heartbreak, and the need to forget George for one night blurred her judgment.
She kissed Sylvia back.
When they pulled apart, Sarah stared at her, breathing unevenly.
Sylvia studied her face. “Are you okay?”
Sarah nodded slowly, still trying to understand what she had just done. “I... I think so.”
Sylvia reached for her hand and gently squeezed it. “You don't have to think about it.”
Sarah looked down at their hands. She had never kissed a woman before. She barely knew Sylvia. Yet when Sylvia leaned closer again, Sarah didn't pull away.