By the time Thursday night rolled around, I was beyond ready to let loose. I had managed to cram three study sessions which were two hours long each, for two different tests in two days, alongside my classes and regular work; I was ready for a drink. Hell, I was ready for the whole bottle. 

Stepping inside The Mixing House with Aaron, I immediately felt a different vibe than the last time we had been there. Tonight, the crowd was alive. The booths and tables all around the stage were full of people standing in spaces in between where they could to watch. The air was filled with an electric charge, and I found myself wondering who, or what, was responsible for lighting the spark.

Aaron and I grabbed drinks at the bar before I pulled out my phone to see where Savannah and Josh were. I hadn't spotted them by the pool tables, and they weren't sitting at the bar. Just as I was beginning to think they hadn't shown up yet, a message came through.

"They said to walk toward the stage. They've got a seat at a booth." I shouted over the band currently playing.

Aaron nodded, grabbing my hand and leading me through the mixture of people swaying to the music. When we spotted them, Savannah stood up, pulling me in for a hug before she sat back down next to Josh, while I took a seat next to Aaron who had already sat down on the other side of him.

"Maddie, you look hot!" Savannah gushed, causing me to blush. I unconsciously looked myself over, reassessing my outfit. My thin, long-sleeved black shirt hung off my shoulder, and I had tucked it into a white mini skirt. I paired the outfit with black ankle booties and left my waves tousled. "Thanks! You look amazing too! I'm not sure I've seen you in another color other than pink." I teased, looking over her baby blue plunging top and white skinny jeans.

She laughed, grabbing her drink to take a quick sip out of her straw.  "It's rare, but I do pull out another color or two."

"Well, you look beautiful no matter what color you have on."

"That she does." Josh said, joining our conversation and leaning in to place a quick kiss on her cheek. Savannah's face immediately colored, her smile wider than I have seen it. I was so immensely happy for her that things were going so well. His relaxed, carefree personality seemed to pair really well with her bubbly, timid one.

"It's really crowded in here tonight. I'm amazed you guys got a spot." Aaron squeezed my thigh underneath the table, looking to Josh in surprise.

"Yeah, we've actually been here for a bit. We ended up meeting earlier than planned to hang out longer, grabbed this spot, and have been pre-gaming, waiting for you guys to show up."

"Well, it's a good thing you did, this place is crazy tonight!" I said, grabbing my strawberry lemon drop and taking a sip.

"The manager said there's three different acts playing tonight. This is the second since we've been here." Josh grabbed his beer, taking a quick drink and pointing it towards the stage. "I've heard them play here before, they're pretty good!"

We all turned our attention to the act on stage which was comprised of a man on a guitar, another one on bass, and a female singer. I agreed with Josh, they were pretty good. We sat and listened to their set, talking over the music at times and enjoying our drinks.

Savannah seemed to be more at ease with Josh tonight, and it was clear she had come out of her shell with him. I loved that she was unafraid to be herself. She deserved someone who made her feel confident.

I was also having a good time with Aaron. He was charming me with smiles and subtle touches. He seemed at ease as well tonight, making small jokes that had me shaking my head and laughing. The noise had died down as the band packed up, making way for the next act, allowing us to enjoy each other's conversations. While Savannah and I argued over the best hangover food, which, by the way, are tacos hands down, Aaron and Josh were discussing the school's football team like teenaged girls with crushes. It was comical, and I mentally noted we all four needed to hang out again.

I just finished my second lemon drop, peering into the empty glass like it betrayed me, when Aaron leaned in. His lips grazed my ear while his arm wrapped around my waist. "Have I mentioned how beautiful you look tonight?"

I pulled my head slightly back, peering into those sweet, brown eyes, and smiled. "Once or twice, but a girl never minds hearing it." I placed a soft kiss on his lips, loving the feel of his smile that formed on top of my lips as I pulled away. "Thank you."

"There's actually something I want to talk about." He stated confidently as his eyes darted across mine. I held his stare, slightly nodding my head in acknowledgement to his statement. I went to ask him what it was when a voice coming through the microphone hijacked my very own.

Not just any voice.

His voice.

I turned my attention to the stage to see Liam sitting on a stool, guitar in hand, and microphone by his mouth. He was adjusting the microphone as he did another sound check, looking nowhere near as nervous as I was suddenly feeling.

"I didn't know L.J. was playing tonight." I glanced at Aaron who peered at me with a small smile.

"He plays here?" I asked, completely dumbfounded. I placed my hand on my heart in an attempt to stifle its' thunderous beating before it betrayed me.

Aaron didn't seem to notice my sudden nerves as he nodded his head in Liam's direction. "Yeah, he gets gigs every so often. He plays here a lot, but I don't exactly keep up with it. I'm glad he's playing tonight. He's really good. Probably why this place is so packed." 

"I can't believe he's here tonight! I've heard the rumors that he is really talented, but I have never gotten to hear him perform." Savannah gushed, before immediately jerking her head in my direction with big, doe eyes as realization hit that she failed in her roommate duties and forgot to clue me in on this vital piece of information. She mouthed "I'm sorry", and I shook my head, giving her a tight smile. It wasn't her fault I had unresolved issues with the man on stage.

I brought my attention back to Liam whose pick was placed in his mouth as he adjusted the guitar's strings. He ran a hand through his hair, sporting that perfectly disheveled look he always managed to pull off and grabbed the pick from between his full lips. He looked up, eyes scanning the crowd momentarily, before looking down at the mic.

"It's great to see such a fun crowd tonight. Are you guys having a good time?"

The air crackled with energy as the crowd surrounding the stage roared alive with hollers and raised glasses and my previous question had been suddenly answered--Liam was the reason for tonight's spark. His presence enveloped every room he was in, and he had absolutely no clue. I don't think he ever did. 

Liam chuckled, wearing his signature smile I hadn't seen since we were teenagers, the one that caused that adorable dimple in his cheek that I would always poke, and if it weren't for sitting down, my knees would have given out. It was like seeing my best friend all over again--the Liam I left all those years ago; the Liam who never forgot me.

"It sounds like you guys are ready for some more great music. Lucky for you, I came prepared." He winked, before looking down at his guitar as he started strumming a few strings. The moment he looked back up and sang into the mic, I became transfixed, unable to move or speak, afraid of disturbing the magnetic energy surrounding the room.

I wasn't sure if it was just me who was drawn to his voice as it drifted across the room, though I knew better, but I couldn't bear to tear my eyes off him to find out. He was good, really good. But that didn't come as a surprise to me. Liam had been talented with playing the guitar the minute he picked his first one up inside that pawn shop.

And Liam's voice...his voice was always my favorite sound, calming my inner turmoil when I was sure I would drown. I don't know if Liam ever knew it or not, but he had been saving me long before I really needed to be. Being best friends with Liam had made me truly believe I could soar.

That's why his broken promises hurt so much.

I crashed, breaking my wings on the way down. And I couldn't be sure if I would ever truly fly again.