Page 152 of Meet Me at the Metro

He wafts the small, developing photo through the air satirically, offering me a charming wink.

“This should develop nicely.”

38

COUNTDOWN

T H E O

Ihad come to hate the holidays since Dad died.

Absolutely despise them.

However, spending time with Nora and just existing in her presence this winter break strengthened my tolerance for the festive season. I’ve relished every moment of our weeks off from University together; the ones spent binge-watching all theHarry Potterfilms—despite my occasional annoyance with them—and especially the ones spent with our limbs tightly intertwined to fight off the frigid cold of December.

The holidays always left a piss-poor taste in my mouth. They were so fucking bitter before her, but Nora’s warmth has smothered my predisposition of the season—just as it has managed to do in nearly every other capacity of my life.

It’s given me so much relief.

I reach out for a slither of that relief as Nora and I step intoBangerz Uptown.It’s loud, chaotic, and stuffy inside, but I will myself to maintain a chill composure and breathe.

From behind, I clutch her waist, pushing us past a sea of bodies as we navigate London’s busiest nightclub. My pulse is a torturing reminder of the anxiety that seizes my body in settings like this—crowded ones, where the chatter of voices and roaring of laughter become so overwhelming I can barelythink straight.

Nora glances back as if she can sense my growing unease and offers me a reassuring smile.

The ample space vibrates with upbeat techno music, courtesy of the energetic DJ spinning tracks at the front of the club. Striking LED lights reflect off the massive disco ball hanging at the center of the establishment, staining the club’s occupants in various vibrant shades and colors.

Nora points to a lounge overlooking the mass of dancing bodies we are currently progressing through and shouts over the music, “Evie said they were at the bar upstairs!”

As fate would have it, Harvey and Evie are leaning against the glass pane fencing the second-story balcony. They spot us simultaneously and throw excited, exaggerated waves at us.

I’m thankful when we finally escape the crowd of people and head for the stairs. Nora laces her fingers into mine as we begin ascending them, and I hope she doesn’t notice how clammy my palms have become.

Unfortunately, for me, she does—she always does.

Nora spins to me, wearing a pensive expression, and she only has to study me briefly before her delicate fingers place a soft, considerate caress along my jaw.

“You okay?”

I work on steadying my labored breathing before granting her an answer.

“If this is all too much, we can leave. I swear I—”

“No,” I interrupt, forcing a smile to my face. I doubt it’s convincing. “I’m okay.”

“You promised to tell me if it got to be too much.”

“I’m keeping my promise.”

I wouldn’t ruin this night for her. She looks too damn pretty in her little, black-sequined dress and red heels for us to leave before we get the chance to ring in the New Year together. I take a strand of her loosely curled hair between my fingers and give it a flirtatious tug. It makes her smile.

“Don’t lie to me, Teddy.”

“I’mokay, Nora,” I quietly laugh. “Now, walk.”

“So bossy,” she humphs.

As she ascends the stairs, her skirt bounces provokingly against her smooth legs, and I use it as a distraction to draw my mind away from the haywire thoughts trying to consume it.

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