David spotted her across the bar even before the bass dropped. The way she had flowers lackadaisically braided through her long red hair had caught his attention early. The way she laughed too loud despite appearing to be the soberest member of her party had kept him turning his head. And the way she danced with her palms up as if to catch the ceiling if it fell had made him stare. He found it silly and cutely carefree.

David tried to remember what he’d been saying before his attention had been diverted.

His coworker, Johnny, made a face at him to ask what was up and followed his gaze. “The free spirit in pink? That would be the opposite of your ex.”

David half nodded, half shrugged. Apt description but not helpful, he thought.

“So does she have an eating disorder, or do you think she’s on meth?” Johnny teased.

David glared at his friend. Rather insensitive of a question, he thought, especially since her pixie frame kind of fits her. “I think I’ve drunk enough. I should go home.”

Johnny rolled his eyes so wide that David was sure he heard them rolling in his skull. “Dude, if you like her, go dance with her. Get over Alice already. She’s clearly moved on.”

David flinched. Unnecessarily harsh reminder, he thought, but Johnny was right. David was here so someone would tell him to get over himself, but now that it was happening, he didn’t feel ready. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I even want, and I’m not in the right mindset to figure it out all over again.”

“Davy, for the love of god, get off your ass and go dance, or I will make you do shots.”

David felt a smirk itch at his face. That’s entertaining, he thought. Johnny hated shots. They made him sick, so the threat reassured David again that Johnny really did have his best interests at heart.

“I see that smile,” Johnny leaned across the table and adopted a more comforting tone. “I know it hasn’t been that long, so it’s okay to still be torn up about it. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to have some fun. It might get you out of this slump. When was the last time you even got out of the house.”

Ten days, David thought. Ten days that still felt like yesterday. But Johnny was right. It did feel nice not to be cooped up anymore. His cat was a friendly fluffball, but she didn’t make up for the quiet melancholy that hung over the apartment. David looked down at the table and tried to think about what he’d even say to her. “I don’t know.”

“Start by asking her name,” Johnny encouraged as if reading his mind.

David nodded and slowly turned to the dance floor, where the redhead danced beneath the sparkling lights like no-one was watching.

He cleared his throat, adopted a pose of false confidence, and took a step forward. What could go wrong? he thought as hope trembled in his throat, it’s just one dance.

The image that inspired the story