u/LawIsDaddy

friday night downtown always feels like a movie. the sidewalks are packed with people bouncing between bars, music spills into the streets from every open door, and the neon signs reflect off the pavement after a brief summer rain. i’d spent way too long getting ready for this night. hair done, favorite outfit, makeup exactly how i wanted it, and i was convinced everything was going perfectly.
that confidence disappeared the second the bouncer looked at my id.
“i’m sorry, i can’t let you in. this doesn’t look or feel real.”
i let out an exasperated sigh, insisting for what felt like the tenth time that it was my real id. a small crowd started forming behind me as people waited to get inside, and i could feel every pair of eyes on us. my cheeks flushed with embarrassment as the bouncer crossed his arms, clearly unconvinced.
that’s when i noticed you standing nearby, watching the whole exchange unfold. you looked like you were debating whether to step in or keep walking. i met your eyes for a moment, gave an awkward, apologetic smile, and shrugged.
“i swear it’s real,” i laughed nervously. “this is probably the most embarrassing start to my night imaginable.”
for a brief second, it felt like the entire night could change depending on what happened next.
so… what do you do?