Hailey pushed through the front door and stepped out into the cool December evening, and the contrast was shocking.
Inside had been warm and crowded, full of noise and life. Outside was quiet and empty, full of cold air and silence.
The cold air slapped her in the face, biting at her cheeks.
It made her realize how flushed she had become sitting in that restaurant, feeling Victoria's words cut into her.
She took several deep breaths, watching them turn into little white clouds that disappeared into the night.
"Get it together, Hailey," she muttered to herself, wrapping her arms around her middle.
"It's just a scene. It's just one scene."
But it wasn't just a scene, and she knew it.
It was her chance. Maybe her only chance.
And it was being taken away.
The street was relatively quiet for a Saturday evening, with only occasional cars passing by and the distant sounds of other restaurants and bars in the entertainment district.
