I groan, and briefly consider faking exhaustion, but Rachel would see through that in two seconds. And then drag me over there anyway.
Before I can object, she’s already up, grabbing my arm, and pulling me toward the dance floor.
Well, here goes nothing.
I down the rest of whatever concoction she handed me, and it burns like hell on the way down. I cough, wincing.Are all drinks supposed to taste like this?
As we weave our way through the crowd, I start giving myself a little pep talk.
Who cares if they’re hot? I’m not blind. But that doesn’t mean I need to fall apart just because a few attractive men are nearby.
They don’t get a say in my trip, my mood, or my night.
With that thought locked in place, I step onto the dance floor, determined to have fun.
That's the spirit. Now let's get our ass on that dance floor and shake it like a saltshaker. Go big or go home, right?
All my lingering doubts scatter like leaves in the wind when the next song fills the room. I don’t recognize it, but it pulls me in instantly. The beat is rich and soulful, it’s the kind of folky tune that feels like it’s stitched into your bones.
My body starts swaying before I even realize it, moving to the rhythm like I don’t have a choice in the matter.
I swear the volume cranks up another notch, and suddenly, the energy in the room shifts. The beat pulses through my body, vibrating my chest and lighting me up from the inside out.
I let myself get completely lost to the rhythm. My hips sway and my arms move without a second thought. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of dancing, it’s a version of freedom.
In that moment everything else falls away and I feel completely alive. No doubts. No worries. No one holding me back. Just the music, my body, and the rush of beinghere.
You know what else is magical? Not being tied down by a relationship. I don’t care how many times I have to remind myself. I’m sticking to myno-menrule.
This moment just solidified that for me. Right here, dancing with my best friend, living my best life. I can’t even remember the last time I had this much fun.
The song fades into another and the music pulses, wrapping around me like a heartbeat. The songs start to blur together, some familiar, but most of them I’ve never heard before.
I know I've only been here a day, but if this is what Scotland feels like every day, I can’t help but wonder why my parents ever left. Why didn’t they just raise me here to begin with?
It feels like we’ve been dancing for hours, lost in our own little bubble without a care in the world. It’s a feeling I want to bottle up and keep forever.
When I finally stop moving to catch my breath, I realize that I just drank alcohol!
For years, I had all these complicated thoughts about drinking. After waiting so long, it just felt pointless to start, and I’d already made it this far, so… why bother?
I didn’t really notice the effects while I was dancing, but now that I have stopped, there’s a strange buzzing under my skin. I feel a little dizzy, but my worries feel like they’re a million miles away, and the only thing that matters right now is having fun. Not chasing answers about my family. Definitely not stressing over the interview I have scheduled.
For once, I’m just living in the moment.
I start making my way back to our table because, at this point, I desperately need some water. But as soon as I take a few steps, I feel myself sway a little.
Oh no.
I quickly glance around, hoping no one notices, and do my best to act… sober.
Is that even a thing? Can you act sober?Or do you just end up looking suspiciously like a drunk person trying not to look drunk?
The thought makes me snicker under my breath, which probably isn’t helping my case. I start walking again, a little slower this time, focusing on keeping my balance. Rachel is still on the dance floor, swaying like her life depends on it, so I take the opportunity to catch my breath.
I must’ve been gone for too long, because suddenly, she appears out of nowhere and smacks my ass.
“I’m having the best time ever!” she shouts over the music. Before I can even respond, she finishes the rest of her drink in one gulp, grins at me, and disappears back into the crowd like a whirlwind.
