Part 2 of singer reader x influencer Matt!
Summary: on your night out at the bar, you meet a few new friends and get invited to a brunch the next morning.
The Uber slowed to a stop outside the venue, the glow of the neon sign reflecting off the windshield. You glanced out the window, your stomach twisting with nerves as you took in the crowd gathered outside.
It wasn’t packed like you’d expected. Just enough people to make it feel lively.
Enough conversations spilling onto the sidewalk, enough laughter drifting through the warm California evening air, enough music escaping every time the door swung open. Perfect.
You thanked the driver, stepped out onto the sidewalk, and adjusted your purse on your shoulder before taking one deep breath. You came here for this. There was no turning around now.
Pushing open the door, you were immediately met with the sound of live acoustic music playing somewhere near the back of the bar. Warm lights hung from the ceiling, casting a golden glow over the room. Groups of friends laughed around high top tables while couples sat tucked away in quieter corners. You couldn’t help but smile. This place felt comfortable. Not too loud. Not too overwhelming. Exactly what you were hoping for.
You made your way straight to the bar, sliding onto one of the stools. “What can I get you?” the bartender asked with a friendly smile.
You looked over the menu for all of three seconds before answering. “A pina colada, please.”
You laughed softly. “It always is.”
Maybe a little alcohol would help settle the butterflies currently doing cartwheels in your stomach.
A few moments later, your drink was placed in front of you. You thanked the bartender, wrapped your hand around the cold glass, and took your first sip. Instantly familiar. It tasted like vacations, beaches, and confidence. Exactly what you needed.
Drink in hand, you wandered slowly around the room, pretending to admire the décor while secretly people watching. It had always been one of your favourite things to do. Watching couples laugh over drinks. Friends telling animated stories with dramatic hand gestures. Someone celebrating a birthday across the room. A guy completely missing the hint that the girl beside him wanted to leave. Everyone had their own little story.
Eventually, you spotted an empty table tucked beside one of the windows and decided to claim it. You sat down, crossing one leg over the other as you sipped your drink. Every so often, someone would glance your way. You’d smile politely. They’d smile back before continuing on. Several times you thought about getting up to introduce yourself to someone. Each time your courage disappeared just as quickly as it had arrived. Come on. You didn’t move across the continent to sit in a corner all night.
Before you could convince yourself to actually stand up, a voice interrupted your thoughts. “Mind if I sit here?”
You looked up to find a smiling brunette gesturing toward the empty chair across from you. “Oh! Yeah, of course.”
She pulled out the chair and sat down. “Hi! My name’s Marissa.”
“Are you waiting for someone?”
You shook your head. “No actually. I just moved here.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Canada? Wow! Thats amazing.”
“What made you move all the way here?”
You looked down at your drink for a second before smiling. “I’ve always wanted to become a singer. I figured if I was ever going to give it a real shot, I had to stop waiting and actually do it. LA I feel like would be a good place to start.”
Marissa leaned back in her chair, looking genuinely impressed. “That’s honestly so brave.”
“I don’t know if it’s brave or slightly insane.”
She laughed. “I vote brave. I definitely wouldn’t be able to do that”
The two of you spent the next twenty minutes talking about everything from your hometown to places you wanted to visit in LA. By the end of the conversation, she’d already started listing restaurants, beaches, and cafés you absolutely needed to try. “I actually have to head out,” she said, glancing at the time on her phone. “But..”
She grabbed your phone from the table. “I’m putting my number in here.”
You smiled as she quickly typed before handing it back. “If you’re ever free, text me. We can grab coffee or something.”
With one last smile, she waved before disappearing into the crowd. You looked down at the new contact in your phone and couldn’t help but grin. Maybe coming alone hadn’t been such a bad idea after all.
You had barely taken another sip of your drink when someone spoke from behind you. “Looks like you’ve already started making friends.”
You turned around. Your breath caught in your throat. No way. There was absolutely no way. “Madison?”
For a second, your brain completely stopped working. You knew that face. The voice. The smile. You’d listened to her music more times than you could count. “You.. you’re Madison Beer.”
She laughed softly. “I am.”
You blinked a few times before letting out an embarrassed laugh. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t expecting..”
“That’s okay,” she smiled. “Mind if I sit?”
You nodded almost immediately. “Please.”
She pulled out the chair Marissa had just been sitting in. “I hope you don’t think it’s weird,” Madison began. “I was sitting behind you with a friend, and I couldn’t help overhearing some of your conversation.”
“Oh my gosh..” you laughed, covering your face for a second.
“I promise I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop.” She smiled, “I heard you say you moved here from Canada because you are trying to become a singer.”
“That’s a huge step. You’re in the right city for sure. You write your own music?”
Her eyes lit up. “I love that.”
You smiled, still trying to process the fact that this conversation was actually happening. “I’ve listened to your music before,” you admitted. “Your songwriting is honestly one of my favourite things about your work.”
You nodded. “You have such an amazing voice.”
She thanked you with a genuine smile before the conversation naturally shifted into music. Favourite artists. Writing lyrics. Studio sessions. Finding inspiration.
It felt surprisingly easy. By the end of the conversation, it almost didn’t feel like you were talking to someone you’d admired for years. It just felt like talking to another person who loved music as much as you did. Madison glanced at the time before reaching for her phone. “Actually..” She looked back at you. “I’m having a small brunch at my place tomorrow.”
Your eyes widened slightly. “Really?”
“Just a few friends. Nothing crazy.” She smiled.
“If you’re looking to meet people while you’re here and make friends.. you should come.”
You couldn’t believe what you were hearing. “I’d love to.” The words came out almost instantly.
She laughed. “I had a feeling.”
The two of you exchanged numbers before she stood from the table. “I’ll text you the address in a bit!”
After saying goodbye, you sat there for another minute, staring down at your phone. First Marissa. Now Madison Beer.
Tonight had turned out nothing like you expected. Eventually, you finished your drink, stepped back out into the warm LA night, and ordered an Uber home.
The ride back felt completely different from the ride there. The nerves had disappeared. Instead, excitement buzzed through you. Maybe this city really was full of opportunities.
Back at the Airbnb, you changed into an oversized T shirt, carefully wiped away your makeup, and worked through your skincare routine in front of the bathroom mirror. Cleanser. Moisturizer. Lip balm.
You smiled at your reflection without even realizing it. Tomorrow you’d be walking into a house full of complete strangers. Strangers who could become friends. Maybe even the beginning of the life you’d imagined when you booked your one way flight to Los Angeles.
For the first time since arriving, the apartment didn’t feel quite so lonely. You climbed into bed with your phone resting beside you, smiling when you saw the text from Madison containing her address and brunch time. Sleep didn’t come easily. Not because you were homesick. Because you couldn’t stop wondering what tomorrow was going to bring.
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