Chapter 1: Meet

“H-hello? Is someone there?” Luna stammers, her voice shaky as she stumbles through the dark, the cool night air biting at her skin. The faint sound of footsteps echoes behind her as she walks away from the bar, where she’d celebrated her 21st birthday a little too enthusiastically. Her mind feels hazy from the alcohol, and her vision sways with each step.

“Oh my god! Are you okay? You look pretty drunk,” says a voice from the shadows, a stranger Luna can’t quite make out. “I can take you wherever you need to go. You shouldn’t be out here alone, especially at this hour. I just happen to be working for Juber until 12:30, so I can help.”

Luna frowns, feeling her head spin. “What?! No way! I just met you... at midnight... and I’m drunk, no less. Just back off, I can call my own Juber,” she says, fumbling for her phone and opening the app. The moment she presses the button, the stranger's phone pings with a notification.

“Okay, okay. Fine. Amber, can you drive me home?” Luna says, her words slurring as she drags her finger across the screen.

“My pleasure, Mrs. Luna,” Amber replies, their voice light with amusement. "I promise you won’t regret it."

Amber glances at Luna’s destination on the phone. “Oh, hey, we’re actually in the same apartment complex,” they add with a smile. "Small world, huh?"

Luna blinks, trying to focus. “Hey, you’re kinda cute,” she says, her voice softening as she takes in Amber's appearance: blond hair pigtails with red tips on one side and blue on the other, two pink scrunchies securing them, tall black boots, a purple shirt with flower-lace sleeves, and a short black skirt.

Amber’s face turns pink. “Oh, um... how sweet of you to say,” they stammer, clearly flustered.

The car ride is mostly quiet, except for the occasional sound of Luna shifting in the backseat. Her eyelids are heavy, the alcohol pulling her into a sleepy haze. Amber keeps glancing at her through the rearview mirror, concern in their eyes.

“We’re here,” Amber says softly, pulling into the parking lot. “I’ll park. Do you want me to walk you in, or are you good to make it on your own?”

Luna yawns, her body heavy from exhaustion. “Can you walk me in? I feel kinda sick,” she mumbles, her words slurring more now, her head sinking against the seat.

Amber smiles and nods. “Of course.” They shift the car into park and help Luna out, supporting her as they walk toward the entrance.

When they reach the building, they guide her to the building's front doors, then to the elevator. Amber presses the button for the fourth floor. The elevator dings and they step out, walking down the hall toward room 427. Amber gently guides Luna to her door, noticing how Luna’s keys slip through her fingers. Amber takes them with ease, their hands brushing Luna’s slightly. They unlock the door and help Luna inside, guiding her to the bed.

Luna practically collapses onto the mattress, half-asleep, her body still swaying as if the room is spinning. Amber quietly pulls the covers over her and tries not to wake her roommate, who is thankfully still asleep. Amber lingers for a moment, checking that Luna is settled in before heading back to their own room.

At long last, Amber stumbles into their own room. They haven't had a good night's sleep in 28 hours, so they’re beyond tired, but their mind keeps racing.

Before they finally crash into bed, Amber pulls out their phone and texts their best friend, Harper:

Amber: OMG!!!! I just met this girl. She was so drunk but so beautiful. I was her Juber driver. Her name is Luna, and it was her 21st birthday! She was wearing this light pink cocktail dress with a pin that said “21,” and these gorgeous hot pink boots (they kind of matched mine, lol). Her hair is this beautiful dark orange with red in it—like a sunset. I know she was drunk, but she called me cute. Isn’t that crazy? Her eyes, Harper. They were like a warm color rainbow, and it just... pulled everything together. It was like... she was magic or something.

Harper: wow girl you have really fallen this time

Amber: yeah i know alright good night

Harper: good night TTYL

 Amber sets their phone down and pulls the covers over themselves, their heart still racing.

They close their eyes, but Luna’s face lingers in their thoughts as they drift off to sleep.