“Rowan!” I heard familiar voices call out his name, and my brows furrowed, my mind scrambling to piece the puzzle together.

“Man, you have been so scarce holding up here that you never thought to check up on your friends.” Another complained, and they all burst into laughter. Yet, my brain tickled; the voice was all too familiar, and it was getting frustrating that I couldn’t remember them.

“You fucktard, we had a meal some days before.” Rowan laughed, and I was smiling despite myself, hearing how beautiful his laughter sounded.

Then it clicked.

They were his friends, the ones I had met during the New Year countdown. Pete, Harry,...