Chapter 12
**Sara**
The cool morning air whipped through the open window, tousling my hair and bringing a slight chill to my skin. I hugged myself, partly for warmth and partly in disbelief at what had happened.
"Well, Sara," I muttered, "you've officially joined the one-night stand club. Congrats?"
The cabbie glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "You say somethin', miss?"
"Oh, just talking to myself. It's been quite a morning."
He chuckled. "Ain't they all?"
I leaned back in the seat, my mind replaying the events of the past 24 hours. Never in a million years did I think I'd be the type to go home with a stranger, let alone enjoy it as much as I did. But here I was, feeling surprisingly satisfied and... liberated?
"Huh," I mused. "So this is what all the fuss is about."
The cab hit a pothole, jolting me out of my reverie. I fished my phone out of my purse, deciding it was time to check in on Jessica. After all, she was the one who dragged me to that pub in the first place. I typed out a quick message:
"Hey Jess, where'd you disappear to? Still with Brad?"
I hit send and waited. And waited. And waited some more.
"Come on, Jess," I grumbled. "Don't leave me hanging here."
The cabbie piped up again. "Everything alright back there?"
"Oh, you know," I sighed. "Just friend drama. The usual."
He nodded sagely. "Ah, yes. I've driven many a passenger through friend drama. It's like a soap opera back here sometimes."
I snorted. "Well, I hope I'm not boring you with my lack of dramatics."
"Trust me, miss," he laughed, "after last night's crowd, you're a breath of fresh air."
As we cruised through the city streets, I pondered the concept of one-night stands. It was like I'd suddenly unlocked a new level in the game of adulthood. Was this how everyone else felt? Like they'd discovered some secret society where casual encounters were the norm?
I glanced at my phone again. Still no response from Jessica.
"Alright, Jess," I muttered. "I see how it is. You're probably passed out in Brad's bed, aren't you?"
The cabbie cleared his throat. "Uh, we're almost at your destination, miss."
"Oh!" I was startled, realizing I'd been lost in thought. "Thanks. And sorry for the running commentary. It's been a weird morning."
He waved it off. "Don't worry about it. I've heard strange things. At least you're not trying to convince me the earth is flat or that pigeons are government spies."
I laughed. "Well, now that you mention it..."
The cab rolled to a stop in front of my apartment building. "Well, this is me," I said, fumbling for my wallet. "Thanks for the ride and the free therapy session."
"Anytime, miss. That'll be twenty-five fifty."
I handed him thirty bucks. "Keep the change. Consider it hazard pay for listening to my rambling."
"Much appreciated. You have yourself a good day now."
I stepped out of the cab, my legs wobbling slightly. Whether from exhaustion or the lingering effects of last night's activities, I couldn't say. The cool morning air hit me like a slap to the face, reminding me I was very much back in the real world.
I trudged towards the elevator, my legs still feeling like jelly. The events of the night before played on a loop in my mind, and I felt a mix of exhilaration and disbelief. As I reached out to press the button, a familiar voice called out behind me.
"Sara! Hold the elevator!"
I turned to see Daniel, my neighbor and friend, jogging towards me. His scrubs were wrinkled, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.
"Hey, stranger," I said, trying to muster energy. "You look like you've been through the wringer."
Daniel let out a dramatic sigh. "Oh, you have no idea. Night shifts are the devil's playground."
The elevator dinged, and we both stepped inside. I pressed the button for our floor and leaned against the wall, grateful for the support.
"So, returning from the night shift battleground, huh?" I asked, eyeing his disheveled appearance.
He let out a groan that sounded like it came from the depths of his soul. "Yes, and it's a nightmare. I swear, full moons bring out the crazies. Had a guy come in convinced he was possessed by the ghost of Elvis."
I chuckled. "Well, did you tell him to leave the building?"
Daniel shot me a look that was equal parts exhaustion and amusement. "Haha. You're a regular comedian, Sara. Where were you when I needed that wit at 3 AM?"
The elevator dinged, announcing our arrival at Daniel's floor. He shuffled out, his scrubs rustling with each tired step.
"Well, this is me. Try not to have too much fun without me," he said, giving a half-hearted wave.
"Oh, you know me," I replied. "I'll be living it up with my thrilling plans of laundry and Netflix."
Daniel snorted. "Living the dream, Sara. Living the dream."
The doors closed, leaving me with my thoughts and the faint smell of hospital antiseptic that Daniel had left behind. I leaned against the wall, closing my eyes for a brief moment. The events of the past 24 hours swirled in my mind like a bizarre kaleidoscope.
When the elevator finally reached my floor, I stumbled out, my legs still feeling like overcooked spaghetti. I was ready to face-plant into my bed and not emerge for at least a day.
But as I rounded the corner to my apartment, I stopped dead in my tracks. Matt was leaning against my door with a bouquet of flowers.
"Oh, you have got to be kidding me," I muttered.
Matt's face lit up when he saw me, a smile spreading across his features that I once found charming but now just made me want to roll my eyes.
"Sara! There you are. I've been waiting for hours."
I approached cautiously as if he might suddenly sprout fangs and leap at me. "Matt? What are you doing here?"
He thrust the bouquet towards me. "I wanted to apologize."
I stared at the flowers, then back at Matt, then at the flowers again. Was this some kind of cosmic joke? Had the universe decided that my life wasn't complicated enough already?
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