Water Under The Bridge • Gracie Abrams

03 Ode to a conversation

03  Ode to a conversation

"Cheers to the good riddance tour night one!" Mark raised his shot glass, the amber liquid catching the dim glow of the hotel's bar neon lights. The air buzzed with excitement as the crowd around him cheered, toasting to the beginning of the 'Good Riddance Tour.' The atmosphere was electric, a mix of anticipation and hapiness.

The tequila burned down my throat, leaving a warm trail that mirrored the pulsating rhythm of the live band on stage. The venue, with its low-hanging smoke and a sea of swaying bodies, seemed like the perfect backdrop for this tour. I couldn't help but smile, I looked at Mark, his eyes reflecting a a lot of relief and eagerness for what lay ahead.

As the cheers and laughter echoed around us, I leaned in to Gracie, who was standing beside me, talking with Leon and Cara about the song that was currently playing . 'Supercut' by lorde.

"Can you believe we're finally here?" I shouted over the music.

Gracie grinned back, her eyes sparkling. 'I can't believe this started in your parent's basement."

"My mom would have been so proud that you let Mark produce this with you; she appreciated you a lot. I remember when Mark would talk about his ideas with her. She always believed in both of you and the creative energy that filled that space."

Gracie smiled, her eyes lighting up as if she held the key to all the sweetness in the world. It was a look that transcended words, radiating warmth and kindness. The corners of her lips curled up, and for a moment, I swear time slowed down. It's the kind of smile that wraps you up in a warm hug, makes your heart do a little dance, and whispers, 'Hey, everything's gonna be alright.' I couldn't help but feel this rush of warmth, like her smile had this magical power to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

"Let's go dance," Mark said, grabbing Gracie's hand. They disappeared into the loud crowd.

I sighed, watching them dance and just soaking in the vibe. Couldn't help but wish it was me snagging Gracie's hand, twirling her around in the middle of all this loud bar. Suddenly, a remarkable song blasted through the speakers. I thought I was dreaming, or maybe I was just too wasted, but the song reverberating through the speakers was the same one Gracie and I shared our first kiss to. Memories flooded back, cutting through the noise of the crowd, and for a moment, it felt like time had looped back to that sweet, unforgettable moment.

Antes de morirme by Rosalia and C. Tangana.

While she was dancing with Mark, his hands gripping her hips, and the two of them moving in perfect harmony, she glanced over at me. That's when I knew the song was really playing, and the memories rushed back to her. For the first time in what felt like years, she held eye contact, and in that brief connection, was as if the music met us between our past and present.

Caught in the swirl of the music, she held my gaze, and for a fleeting moment, time stood still. My mind raced back, and once again, I was lost in thoughts of her lips on mine. I remembered how they moved so fucking perfectly, trailing along my neck and dancing across my body.

And just after the chorus hit, Gracie broke our eye contact, grabbed Mark's face, and planted a kiss on him. As I watched them caught up in their own little bubble, I couldn't help but wonder if the song meant as much to them or if, for them, it was just another beat in the night's wild symphony.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Katie blurted out, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Why aren't you drinking?" I said with a playful grin, waving a cocktail in front of Katie's face.