Quinn dragged Leona past the waiting line, ign the murmurs of protest from the crowd as they strode directly to the warehouse entrahe bouood there like a sentinel, decked out iher and spikes, his muscur arms crossed over his chest. His grin was wide and wolfish, the kind that felt more like a warning than a wele.

  “Well, well, what’s this?” His voice was rough, mog. “Mini-me?” He eyed the two of them, the matg electric blue hair making the parison impossible to miss.

  Quinn smirked, unfazed. “Something like that,” she said, tossing her hair back. “Our hair’ll match perfectly by the end of the summer. Anyway, you letting us in, or what?” She jabbed him pyfully in the shoulder, her wink as sharp as a bde.

  He chuckled, a low, guttural sound. “Wouldn’t dream of keeping you out, Quinn.” His eyes flicked to Leona, narrowing slightly. “Though I gotta say, your musiot my se. But hey, we could always use more chicks, even if she looks like she wandered outta homeroom.” His lip curled as he appraised Leona, then he sighed. “Cute, though. Just don’t let the scum get too close.” He stepped aside, granting them entry.

  Leo a thrill at the baded pliment, even if his tone was dripping with dession.

  Ihe warehouse pulsed with potential energy, the crowd still sparse, the air heavy with anticipation. The music bred from the t speakers, raw and uing, the kind Quinn had been king out at home retly.

  Quinn’s stride was fident, leading Leona toward the main stage with purpose. As they approached, Leona cpped her hands over her ears, the volume vibrating through her skull. Quinn ughed, amused, as they were spotted by a guy on the raised stage.

  Their versation was lost in the auditory chaos, and Leona shifted from foot to foot, fingers wedged firmly in her ears. She watched as Quinn and the guy exged nods and shouted words, her of which she could decipher. The man fshed a thumbs-up, and Quinn’s grin widened before she turned back to Leona, grabbing her by the wrist and draggioward the bar.

  Quinn’s lips moved, but Leona couldn’t hear her over the residual ringing in her ears. She tilted her head, and Quinn gave a mock sigh, reag out to gently boop her nose.

  “Cut it out,” Quinn said, pulling Leona’s hands from her ears. “It’s quieter here. Hang for a bit. Drinks are on me.” She leaned in, voice teasing. “They’ve got more than alcohol, so rex. Goonie would skin me alive if your blood alcohol hit even a decimal.”

  Leona snickered. “Who’d tell her?”

  Quinn shot her a wide-eyed look, then smirked. “You little shit. Thought I’d corrupted my goody-two-shoes sister for a sed there.” Her tourned serious. “If you do drink, keep it small.” She pressed her thumb and index fiogether. “Tiny. And don’t take drinks from anyone you don’t know. Roofies, y’know?”

  The bartender snorted behind the bar. “You seriously want us to serve her?” He raised an eyebrow at Leona. “She’s a freaking kid.”

  Quinn shrugged, smirking. “She’s got good judgment. Packed with nothing but fluff and sweetness.” She leaned in, voice dropping an octave. “But if something happens, I’m hearing it from you.”

  He scowled. “Tch. Babysitting duty.” His expression softened just a fra. “Py Midgardener and the Serpent.”

  Quinn raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “That ?” She shook her head. “Fine. You got it.”

  Leona’s eyes widened slightly. Quinn really had fans.

  Quinn turo Leona, her grin wicked. “See what I put myself through for you?” She leaned against the bar. “I’m not on for an het out there and dance!”

  Leona scoffed. “You first.”

  The bartender ughed. “Thought you wanted a drink?”

  Quinn groaned, mock-exasperated. “Alright, brat, let’s do this.” She grabbed Leona’s hand and they sprio the ter of the floor.

  Leona filed, ughing wildly, while Quinn danced with effortless grace. Leona tried to mimic her, their movements turning into a chaotic, joyous mess. They spun and ughed, the pounding music drowning out the world.

  They didn’t stop until the staff called for Quinn, their breath ing in ragged gasps, the adrenaline c like fire through their veins.

  The rest of the ‘rave experience’ wasn’t as fun for Leona once Quinn had takeage, although she got to hear her sister perf in a huge vehe crowd's focus shifted, and Leoreated to the bar, nursing a soda uhe bartender’s watchful, somewhat disdainful eye. The thudding bass shook the floor, and while she ehe music more now that it was her sister’s set, the noise pressive. She couldn’t bring herself to mihout Quinn guiding her, so she didn’t. She stayed put, isoted but oddly tent in the chaos.

  Occasionally, when Quinn pyed a track Leona particurly liked, she bobbed her head and bounced in pce, grinning like a fool. Watg her sister on stage, bathed in ser lights that cut through the haze like knives, Leona couldn’t help but admire her. The sight was intoxig: Quinn’s fingers flying across her equipment, the energy in the room bending to her will. Leona saw clearly why she loved her sister so fiercely. Quinn was talented—a phenomenon, aspiring to be reized across the nation. But ambition came with a price, and at home, Quinn often locked herself away, lost in her music, distant and unreachable.

  “You gonna wallflower here all night?” the bartender’s rough voice cut through her thoughts. “You’re starting to look like a lush.”

  Leona gnced up, frowning at the unsolicited ent. “Yeah… I don’t really—”

  “Hey, Leona, right?”

  The voice was loud enough to cut through the pounding musid Leona blinked in surprise. She turned, wiping sweat from her brow, to see an average-looking guy weaving through the crowd. He wore the standard staff attire: bck clothes crisscrossed with neon green, glowing straps that made him easy to spot. Uhe bouncer’s leather-cd aesthetic, this outfit seemed purely practical.

  The guy waved as he broke free from the throng, holding a small object aloft. “Name’s Frank,” he said, leaning in close so Leona could hear over the din. “Hope Quiioned me.”

  Leona stared at the item in his hand—a wallet with a cutesy cat motif.

  “She told me about the matg hair thing, so I’d reize you,” Frank tinued, fshing a smile. “Anyway, I’m staff. Helping.”

  Leona raised an eyebrow. She vaguely recalled Quinn talking about a Frank, but nothing specific.

  Frank pushed on, “A girl dropped this oher side of the bar. Couldn’t find her. I’m busy, ’t keep track of you and the crowd.” He hahe wallet to her. “She’s got glowing pink cat ears on a headband. You ’t miss her. Mind finding her? You’re looking lonely anyway.”

  Leoated. Something about this seemed off. “Alright,” she said, wary but intrigued. “Tell Quinn to be more subtle ime.” Hadn’t she seen someohat met his description outside the building?

  Frank smirked as she took the wallet and plunged into the crowd. Behind her, he chuckled softly, mission aplished.

  The crowd shifted around her like a living thing, writhing and swaying with the beat. The dancers’ energy was freic, bodies pressed together, limbs moving in sync with the relentless music. Leona stumbled, crashing into several people. Some cursed her; hed, bumping her back with pyful shoves. She grimaced, doing her best to stay upright, the wallet clutched tightly in her hand.

  Finally, she spotted them—fluffy, glowing cat ears bobbing through the throng. Leona locked her eyes oarget and pushed forward, but just as quickly as she’d found the girl, she lost her again. The sea of bodies swallowed her whole.

  Frustration bubbled up. She gred at the dancers, silently cursing them for blog her path. She tried to gain her bearings, but the warehouse was disorienting. Short and disheveled, Leorapped, her sense of dire obliterated by the fshing lights and pounding music.

  As if to mock her, Quinn’s catchiest song began to py, and the crowd erupted, arms thrust skyward, bodies shaking in wild abandon. Leona wobbled, nearly losing her bance as she spun in a daze.

  Determined, she forced her way to the edge of the croting the right-hand rule of maze navigation to find the wall. She hadn’t gone far when someone collided with her, sending her sprawling onto the sticky floor.

  Disoriented, Leona gasped for air, shaking her head to clear the fog. Beside her, the culprit—a girl—sat dazed, head tilted awkwardly.

  Leona’s heart skipped. She stared, wide-eyed, as the girl lifted her head. There, perched on her hair, were glowing… PINK CAT EARS!

  “It’s you!” Leona gaped, scrambling to retrieve the wallet she’d dropped when they collided. Her hands searched the grimy, sticky floor, dodging stompi until her fingers closed around it. Thank God it didn’t get crushed, she thought, clutg it tightly. She stood and turo the girl with glowing cat ears.

  “I’m sorry!” the girl shouted over the noise, voice breathless.

  “It’s okay. Things are pretty crazy, right?” Leona yelled.

  “I-It’s my first time at something like this,” the girl stammered close to Leona’s right semi-deafened ear, her voice trembling with apology. She tucked a lock of hair behind one ear, her cheeks flushed. “I’m so sorry… I didn’t mean to be so clumsy. It just got so overwhelming, and I panicked.” She gestured toward the chaos around them, eyes darting nervously over the writhing crowd. Her helplessness alpable, and the way she blushed made Leona’s heart thud hard against her ribs.

  Leona softened, any irritatioing away. “It’s okay,” she said, brushing it off with a small smile. “I was dizzy, too, and had no idea where I was.” She reached down and offered her hand. “.”

  The girl hesitated for a sed before taking Leona’s hand. Leona pulled her up, sing for an escape route. She finally spotted a familiar decoration—a tattered neon banner hanging just above the heads of the shorter dancers. “Hurry, this way!” She tugged the girl through the pulsing throng, dodging wild elbows and stumbli.

  Ohey were free from the crush of bodies, the girl tugged to release herself from Leona’s grasp, heaving a relieved sigh. “ you let go?” she asked nervously, gng at their joined hands.

  Leona blinked, surprised, and immediately let go. “Sorry,” she said sheepishly.

  The girl gave a small, awkward ugh, but then her eyes dropped to her hand—and froze. Her breath hitched as she winced. “Oh…” She lifted her hand, now slick with blood. “I—I’m bleeding.”

  Leona’s stomach twisted. “Are you okay? What happened?” She grabbed the girl’s hand agaily iing it. A jagged cut ran across her palm, fresh and seeping. Leona’s eyes darted around the ground and spotted shards of gss from broken bottles scattered everywhere. “There’s gss all over the floor. You must’ve—”

  The girl shook her head, trying to wave it off. “It’s nothing. It probably happened when I bumped into you,” she said, wing. “I was holding a Coke, and it might’ve broken.” She gave an embarrassed smile. “I’m more worried I spilled soda on you.”

  Before Leona could protest, the girl patted her down, cheg for any sticky wet spots. Her touch was quick but thh, and Leona flushed uhe ued tact. “No, no—I’m fine,” she stammered, her face heating. “Really.”

  The girl pulled back, flustered herself. “I’m su idiot,” she muttered, shaking her head.

  Leona cleared her throat. “Actually… a friend of my sister’s found something of yours,” she said, lifting the wallet. “Asked me to find you and give it back.”

  The girl’s eyes widened in horror. “My wallet!” she gasped, pawing at her empty pockets. “Oh my God, I’m so stupid.” She reached for it, her expression a mix of relief and gratitude. “Thank you, really. I—I don’t know what I’d do without it.”

  Leona ha over with a shy smile. “What’s your name?”

  The girl hugged the wallet to her chest, smiling warmly. “I’m Sarah—Sarah Namias.”

  Leona’s heart skipped as the tled in her mind, and a strange warmth blossomed deep inside her. “I’m Leona W… R-Ramses,” she said, stumbling slightly over the st name.

  Sarah’s smile deepened. “o meet you, Leona.”

  Leona blushed, smiling. “Ditto.”

  And in that moment, amidst the chaos of the rave, the noise faded to nothing but the soft thudding of Leona’s pulse.

  The pounding music throbbed like a living thing, vibrating through the warehouse floor and into Leona’s bones. But now, outside the crush of bodies and with Sarah standing so close, it didn’t feel overwhelming anymore—it felt like a heartbeat. Everyone’s heartbeat synized.

  Sarah rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, the faint glow of her cat-ear headband giving her an almost ethereal glow. “I guess I should head back… but I kinda don’t know where ‘back’ is.” She ughed nervously. “It’s like a byrinth in there.”

  Leona smiled, some of her earlier shyness melting away. “You’re not alone feeling that way.” She gestured toward the swirling crowd with a sweep of her arm. “I’ve been lost half the night, too.”

  A moment of sileretched between them, not awkward, just warm.

  Sarah tilted her head, her expression softening. “It’s your first time too?”

  Leona nodded, ughing as she scratched behind her left ear. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my sister. She’s a DJ.“

  Sarah cpped her hands and grinned. “Does that mean your sister’s perf tonight?”

  Leona nodded, feeling a surge of pride swell in her chest. “Yeah, her name is Quinn. She’s been up for a while now DJing up there.” She turo the stage where Quinn was a dynamic force, anding the crowd with iious energy. “She’s amazing.”

  “She really is.” Sarah’s voice was almost reverent as her eyes followed the dazzling light show that danced in tandem with the music. Then she gnced back at Leona. “Do you want to maybe go dang? I mean… if you’re okay with that, Leona.” Her blush deepened. “Together, I mean.”

  Leoated for half a sed before smiling, her pulse quiing. “Yeah. I’d like that, though I have two clubs for feet.”

  Sarah grinned. “Same. It’s fine if you step on my toes a few times. I hope you don’t mind if I do.”

  Leona hough they might end up with sore feet, particurly at their extremities, tonight was shaping up to be exactly what she needed.

  They weheir way back toward the edge of the dance floor in the ter, although most of the building, not including the stage, was occupied by dancers. They stopped just shy of the most crowded area near enough to the stage to see Quinn doihing. Here, they also had spaove but could still feel the electric pulse of the rave. The beat dropped, and Leona caught Sarah’s hand again.

  “Ready?” Leona asked.

  Sarah’s face lit up, her eyes sparkling. “Ready.”

  They began to move, at first awkwardly, finding each other’s rhythm, until it clicked and miraculously, no toes were smashed. They danot wildly but freely, unburdened by the o impress or fit in. Just two girls, lost in the musid the moment.

  Quinn’s mix shifted to something more emotional, ahereal melody that floated above the pounding bass like stardust. Maybe Quinn had spotted them dang together. Leona closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her, and when she opehem, she found Sarah gazing at her.

  For a moment, the he crowd, and the chaos fell away. It was just them.

  Leo her face heat up, but instead of looking away, she grinned. “You’re pretty good at this for someone who said she was overwhelmed.”

  Sarah giggled, the sound light and carefree. “Ditto. Maybe I just he right dance partner.”

  The words huween them, weightless and sweet.

  Quinn’s set took a more eic turn, the beats hitting harder, faster, driving the crowd into a frenzy of movement. Leona and Sarah were swept up in the rush, spinning and ughing as if the whole world had shrunk down to the size of the dance floor.

  “You’re not bad at dang, Leona, not like I’m an expert!” Sarah called over the pounding bass, her smile wide and iious.

  Leona rolled her eyes, grinning. “Not bad, eh? I’ll take it.” She grinned, enced to try a few parkour-inspired moves that made Sarah blink and pause, befetting into her own improvised groove.

  Their hands brushed as they swayed again and again, aually her of them pulled away. Instead, they leaned into the rhythm, moving in sync like they’d been dang together for years.

  Quinn, visible on the elevated stage, threw herself into her music, her body swaying in time with the beats she created. Her headphones hung loosely around her neck, and the sers flickered across her form. She was a master of her craft, and Leo a surge of admiration and pride swell in her chest.

  “Your sister’s incredible,” Sarah said, gng up at the stage in awe. “I ’t believe you’re reted to her.”

  Leona ughed softly. “Yeah, she’s something else. But trust me, she’s still a pain at home, you know?”

  Sarah giggled again, and they danced closer, their movements slowing as the music softened, being more melodic, more intimate. Quinn’s voice echoed faintly through the mic, mixing with the melody—a rare addition to her usual sets. It was haunting aiful.

  “I never had a brother or sister, but I imagine,” Sarah said.

  As the music shifted again and Quinn’s music became extremely stirring, makihink of Mistral. It had a heroid inspiring quality. This was one of Quinn’s sets that Leona had never heard before. Thinking about Mistral’s ret capture and how she was still w to recover from what Bgel had doo her, she felt her throat tighten with emotion, the music hitting her in ways she hadn’t expected. She g Sarah, who seemed equally moved, but more positively, her eyes positively shining. Although they didn’t speak, they let the music fill the space between them.

  As the final notes of Quinn’s set faded into cheers and loud appuse and stamping of feet, Leona stopped, breathing heavily, her face flushed, her heart beating rapidly. Sarah looked equally exhirated, her cat ears glowing softly. Her own face was a deep pink and she licked her lips.

  Quinn desded from the stage like a queen desding from her throne, high-fiving crew members and exging pyful banter with the DJ. She spotted Leona almost immediately, as though she knew precisely where she was, her face breaking into a wide grin. She sauntered over, sweat glistening on her skin, eyes twinkling mischievously.

  “Well, well, well,” Quinn drawled, eyeing Sarah and then Leona with a knowing smirk. “Looks like my baby sister found herself an adorbs dance partner.”

  Leona groaned, her face turning crimson. “Quinn…”

  Sarah ughed nervously, taking a step back, but Quinn held up a hand. “Rex, I’m just teasing.” She looked at Sarah, grinning. “You’ve got good taste. She’s mega cute.”

  “Quinn!” Leona hissed, mortified.

  Sarah, however, just giggled, her blush deepening. “Thanks, I guess.”

  Quinn wi Leona, clearly pleased. “You’re still into girls, huh? And you’ve already found a cutie. I’m proud.” She ruffled Leona’s hair pyfully.

  Leona swatted her hand away, flustered but smiling. “Stop it.”

  Quinn ughed. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alohen. For now.” She threw an arm around Leona in a quick hug. “Seriously, though… I’m gd you’re having fun.”

  As Quinn walked away, Sarah turo Leona, still smiling. “Your sister’s pretty awesome.”

  Leona sighed, shaking her head. “Yeah… she sure is.”

  They stood there for a moment, the warmth of the evening lingering around them, and without another word, they stepped bato the dance floor, letting the music take them away once more, though the music wasn’t quite up to Quinn’s standards, it retty good.

  The music pulsed again, this time softer but no less enting, a slower, hypnotic beat that created a space where the world outside the warehouse did. Leona and Sarah moved together effortlessly, the chaos of the rave settling into something more intimate and personal.

  Leona could still feel the heat of Quinn’s teasing words lingering in her mind, but Sarah didn’t seem fazed. In fact, she seemed more rexed, her smile growing softer as they tio dance.

  “Your sister’s a good DJ,” Sarah said, her voice just loud enough to be heard over the music. “But she’s also good at embarrassing you, huh?”

  Leona ughed, rolling her eyes. “You have no idea. She’s been doing it my whole life.”

  Sarah tilted her head, the glow of the cat ears casting a soft light across her face. “I think it’s sweet, though. She cares deeply about you.”

  Leo a strange warmth bloom in her chest at Sarah’s words. “Yeah,” she admitted, “she does.” She hesitated, then added, “I’m not used to this. You know… meeting someone like this.”

  Sarah’s cheeks flushed faintly, and she looked down at their feet. “Me her. I wasn’t even sure I wao e tonight. But I’m gd I did.” She looked back up, her eyes bright. “I got to meet you.”

  Leona’s heart stuttered, the siy in Sarah’s voice catg her off guard. She wasn’t sure how to respond, so she simply smiled, her fingers brushing Sarah’s lightly as they swayed to the music.

  The music transitioned into something softer still, the bass a gehrum that allowed for versation, though her girl seemed eager to speak just yet. They stayed close, swaying side by side, their movements slower, more thoughtful.

  Leo her nerves settling, repced by a growing sense of ease. It wasn’t the kind of dizzying infatuation she’d seen in movies, but something quieter, deeper, like a soft melody pying in the background. She g Sarah, atg her with a curious expression.

  “What?” Leona asked, half-smiling.

  Sarah shook her head, a small, pyful grin tugging at her lips. “You’re just… really nice. I didn’t expeeet someone like you tonight.”

  Leona blushed, dug her head. “You make it sound like I’m special or something.”

  “You are,” Sarah said simply, ation.

  The words huween them, and for a moment, Leo like the entire rave had vanished. It was just the two of them, standing together in a space that felt carved out just for them.

  The music picked up again, not as wild as before but lively enough to invite dang. Sarah’s hand slipped into Leona’s, and she tugged gently. “One more dance?”

  Leona nodded, letting herself be pulled bato the dance floor. They moved together, the world fading into the rhythm a, their ughter mixing with the music. It wasn’t about the crowd, or the fshing lights, or even the musiymore.

  It was about them.

  Quinn’s voice suddenly boomed over the speakers, pyful and teasing. “Alright, ravers, I’m off for now, but keep the party going!” The crowd erupted in cheers and appuse, and Leona goward the stage in time to see Quinn bow dramatically before handing off the decks to the DJ. Leona was shocked. When had Quinn taken ain up oage? She’d been so distracted by something that she hadn’t really been listening to the musibsp;

  Quinn spotted them again as she made her way through the crowd, her grin widening. “Still dang, huh?” she called out whe close. “Looks like someone’s been having a good night.”

  Leona ughed, pulling away from Sarah slightly, but Quinn waved her hand. “Nah, don’t stop on my at.” She looked at Sarah, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I hel like you,” she said bluntly. “You make my sister smile from her heart.”

  Sarah blushed but smiled back. “I like her too.”

  Quinn ughed, g Leona on the shoulder. “Good. You deserve it.” She leaned in close, whispering in Leona’s ear, “Don’t let this o away, huh?”

  Leona didn’t have a ce to respond before Quinn disappeared bato the crowd, leaving her flustered but happy. She turned back to Sarah, who was looking at her with a soft smile.

  “Do you want to keep dang?” Leona asked, hoping the answer was yes.

  Sarah nodded, her eyes sparkling. “Yeah. I do.”

  And so they danced, lost in the music, the crowd, and each other, the night stretg before them full of possibilities.

  The energy of the rave shifted again, a steady thrum that ed around Leona and Sarah, coing them in the moment. Sarah’s haed lightly on Leona’s shoulder, while their other hands remained iwined, moving in rhythm. It was easy, natural—something Leona hadn’t expected to feel with a stranger, but somehow, it didn’t feel stra all.

  The fshing lights painted Sarah’s fa shades of blue and violet, her smile radiant, warm, and iious. Leona couldn’t help but smile back, feeling a strange, giddy excitement bubbling under her skin. They didn’t need words right now—the music said everything for them.

  Quinn’s set still reverberated through Leona’s mind, her heart still fluttering from the sheer power of her sister’s performance. Oh jeez! Quinn was a total dynamo tonight. She took breaks, giving other DJs a brief ce to shine before reg her throne. She goward the stage, where Quinn had disappeared into the throng of crew and admirers. Despite the crowd, the stage still felt like it beloo Quinn, like her spirit lingered in every note.

  “She’s truly amazing. So muergy!” Sarah said softly, her voice barely audible over the DJ’s beat.

  Leona’s gaze shifted back to Sarah, atg her, not the stage. “I was thinking the same,” Leona agreed, her voice tinged with pride. “She’s VERY exhausting.”

  Sarah giggled, her ughter a light, airy sound that made Leona’s chest feel tight in the best way. “You’re a little like her, yourself.” Sarah said, tilting her head thoughtfully.

  Leona blinked. “Me? What? In what way?”

  “Yeah.” Sarah’s expression softened. “You’ve got the same kind of energy. It’s quieter, but it’s there. Like… I don’t know, like you light up a little when you’re happy. Plus you’ve been able to dance all this time without hardly any pause. That’s amazing too, you know?”

  Leona’s throat tightened, and for a moment, she couldn’t think of what to say. Instead, she gave Sarah’s hand a gentle squeeze, feeling her heart ra time with the music.

  They danced until their bodies ached, and the edges of exhaustion started to creep in. Although the crowd around them hinned, Leona and Sarah occupied their own little space, orbiting each other like stars. The music surged, faster, harder, but they kept their movements slow, sav the moment together.

  Leo sweat dampening the back of her neck, strands of hair ging to her forehead, but she didn’t care. She only cared that Sarah was smiling at her like she was the only thing that mattered.

  “I his,” Sarah admitted, her voice low, as if it were a secret.

  Leona tilted her head. “A rave?”

  Sarah ughed softly. “No. You. I think I was always searg for you.”

  Leona’s heart skipped, her breath catg ihroat. She opened her mouth to respond, but Sarah shook her head, saving her from fumbling for the right words. “It’s been a rough year,” Sarah tinued. “I didn’t think I’d feel happy again for a while. But tonight…”

  She trailed off, her eyes searg Leona’s face, as if looking for the right way to finish her sentence.

  Leona swallowed hard. “I get it,” she said, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. “I too, for sure.”

  For a moment, they stood still, the music fading into the background, and all Leona could hear was the thrum of her owbeat.

  Eventually, Quiurned, weaving through the crowd like a mag, pulling attention wherever she went. She reached them, grinnio ear, her energy still electric despite her time on stage. “Still at it, huh? You’re an ABSOLUTE animal, little sis! Who knew?” she teased, nudging Leona’s shoulder.

  Leona rolled her eyes. “You’re relentless.”

  Quinn ughed, her eyes sparkling. “Hey, it’s my job.” She turo Sarah, extending a hand. “Sarah, right? I’m Quinn. Thanks for keeping my little sister pany. That was the end of my sets and the rave shouldn’t st too much longer without my beats keeping this pce pulsing.”

  Sarah shook Quinn’s hand, her smile warm but shy. “It was more like she kept me pany.”

  Quinn shot Leona a knowing look. “She’s good at that, huh?”

  Leona groaned. “Please stop.”

  Quinn leaned in close to Sarah, mock-whispering, “She sure know show to blush, doesn’t she?”

  Sarah giggled, gng at Leona’s flushed face. “An absolute expert in turni red.” Sarah teased, winking.

  Leona threw up her hands. “I’m officially doh both of you.” But her grirayed the joy simmering uhe surface, the warmth spreading through her like the music itself.

  Quinn, satisfied with her teasing, cpped Leona on the back. “Alright, I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone for the st bit. But, Leona…” She softened, her voice sincere. “I’m really happy for you.”

  Leona nodded, uo find the words but grateful heless.

  As Quinn disappeared into the crowd again, Sarah turned back to Leona, her expressiole. “She’s really proud of you. That’s really cute. I kinda wish I had a great sister like her too.”

  Leona smiled. “I’m proud of her too. More than words say.”

  Sarah hesitated for a beat, then said, “Want to danore time?”

  Leona ughed, wiping sweat from her forehead. “Phaw! You’re the true animal tonight, aic, pretty kitty,” she said, her voice brimming with mirth. “Let’s get a drink, cool off. I’ll tell you more about my family. I’d like to hear about you too.”

  With a broad grin, Leona took Sarah’s hand and tugged her through the crowd toward the drink stand. Sarah felt a flicker of disappoi at leaving the dance floor, but it faded almost instantly. Leona was right—they needed a break, and the prospect of learning more about each other was just as exhirating as the dance.

  And as they moved through the crowd together as the bring music pyed, Leo somethiake root—a quiet hope, a budding e, and the undeniable sehat tonight marked the beginning of something truly special. It felt like a pivotal moment in her life, ohat could shape everything that came .