Luna stood on the rooftop, the cool breeze tousling her dark curls as she looked out at the sprawling skyline of New York City. The city lights twinkled like scattered stars, stretching
infinitely before her, full of promises and possibilities. This was her new beginning—a fresh start far from the familiar streets of Chicago. Yet, beneath the excitement, a heaviness sat lodged in her chest. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stave off the chill creeping into her bones.
Leaving Chicago had been harder than she'd imagined, not just because it meant saying goodbye to her parents but because it meant leaving Jace behind. Her twin brother, her confidant, her other half. Even now, she could picture him leaning against the old maple tree in their backyard, hands stuffed in his pockets, a crooked smile on his face as he tried to be brave for her.
A lump formed in her throat, and she blinked rapidly, fighting back the tears that threatened to fall. She had to be strong. This was her dream—graduating top of her class at Harvard, securing an internship at one of the most prestigious law firms in New York. Everything she had worked for was finally within reach. Still, she missed him. She missed home.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her reverie. She pulled it out, her heart giving a little leap at the sight of Logan's name. Hey babe, just landed in London. Wish I was there with you.
Luna's lips curved into a smile as she typed back, I miss you. New York isn't the same without you. It felt strange, moving to the same city where Logan already lived, only for him to leave on a business trip to the UK just days before she arrived. His absence was palpable, a hollow echo in this vast new world. But she understood. His career in finance demanded it, and she was proud of him. They were both chasing dreams—they just happened to be on different continents right
now.
"Luna!" She turned to see Mia waving from the other side of the rooftop, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement. "You're missing all the fun! Eleanor's trying to do the worm!"
Luna laughed, the sound light and free. "I'll be right there!" She took one last look at the city
before heading back to join her friends. They had all moved to New York together, ready to take on the world—Mia with her dreams of becoming a fashion designer, Eleanor pursuing her passion for digital marketing, and Luna chasing her career in law. They were each carving out their own paths, but they were doing it side by side, just as they had all through college.
"There she is!" Eleanor's voice rang out as Luna approached. Her curly hair was a wild halo
around her face, cheeks flushed from dancing. "Thought we lost you to the Big Apple's view."
Luna grinned. "It's surreal, isn't it? We're really here."
Mia looped an arm around her shoulders. "Three Harvard grads taking on New York City. They don't stand a chance." They laughed, the sound echoing across the rooftop. For a moment, Luna let herself get lost in
it—the laughter, the friendship, the sheer thrill of new beginnings. Maybe she wasn't entirely
alone. She had her girls. She had Logan, even if he was far away. And she had this city, pulsating with life and promise.
"To new beginnings!" Mia raised her red plastic cup, her eyes sparkling. "To taking chances," Eleanor added, clinking her cup against Mia's.
Luna hesitated, the image of Jace's face flashing in her mind. She lifted her cup, her voice soft but steady. "To finding our way."
They toasted, laughter bubbling over as they clinked cups, spilling cheap champagne onto the rooftop floor. In that moment, under the glittering New York sky, everything felt right.
The walk back to the apartment was quiet, the streets glowing under the soft yellow streetlights.
Luna glanced at Mia, who was humming softly, her hands tucked into the pockets of her oversized jacket.
"I still can't believe we're actually here," Luna murmured as they entered the lobby of their
building. The elevator chimed, its metal doors sliding open with a soft whoosh.
Mia grinned. "Believe it. This is just the beginning, Lu."
They stepped into the elevator, the familiar hum and gentle sway comforting. Luna leaned against the wall, letting her head fall back as she exhaled. "I got a message from Logan. He just landed in London."
Mia's smile softened. "I know you miss him."
"I do. It's weird. We've talked about moving to New York for so long, and now that I'm here,
he's not."
"He'll be back soon. And until then, you've got me," Mia teased, giving Luna a playful nudge.
"We'll have so much fun, you won't even have time to miss him."
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal their floor. They walked down the hallway, keys jangling as Mia unlocked the door to their apartment. It was still half-bare, boxes stacked along the walls, their lives waiting to be unpacked. But it was home—messy, chaotic, and full of possibilities.
Luna dropped her bag on the couch, her shoulders sagging in relief. Just as she was about to kick off her shoes, her phone buzzed again. She pulled it out, her heart giving a little flutter as she read the email header: "Welcome to Cooper & Holt LLP!" Her fingers trembled as she opened the message, her eyes scanning the text eagerly.
Dear Luna Montgomery,
We are thrilled to welcome you to our team at Cooper & Holt LLP. Your internship will begin on
Monday, and we are excited to see the contributions you will bring to our firm...
A giddy laugh bubbled out of her as she read the words over and over, the reality of her dream solidifying with every line. "Mia! It's official!"
Mia's head popped out from the kitchen, a bag of chips in hand. "You start Monday?"
Luna nodded, her smile so wide her cheeks hurt. "I'm really doing this."
Mia's eyes shone with pride. "Of course, you are. You're Luna Montgomery. Top of her class at Harvard, future badass lawyer."
Luna laughed, the sound light and free. For the first time since she left Chicago, she felt the
tightness in her chest loosen. Her phone buzzed again, a text from Logan lighting up her screen.
I'm so proud of you, babe. You're going to be amazing.
She hugged the phone to her chest, a warm glow spreading through her. Even from thousands of miles away, Logan still knew how to make her feel safe, loved. She glanced at Mia, who was already tearing open the bag of chips with an excited grin.
"Celebratory snacks?" Mia offered, shaking the bag. Luna's laughter filled the room as she joined her best friend on the couch, her heart full and hopeful. In that messy, half-unpacked apartment, surrounded by friendship and dreams just beginning to unfold, Luna realized that this was more than just a new city, a new job, or a new chapter.
This was a new circle. And she was ready to live every moment of it.