Enough staff had been hired for that night, a huge day for business, so that Tiana herself could stop working and head to the rooftop. She had promised all her workers a hefty bonus for working that night, and they had happily agreed.
Downstairs, the restaurant was packed. If Tiana looked over the edge, she could still see a line of people out waiting to get a table inside.
The roof, however, had fewer people. Most people downstairs were still eating, though a few sat outside, looking up expectantly at the sky. The fireworks had yet to start, but if Tiana's watch was correct, then soon enough the sky would start glowing.
"Tia!"
Tiana grinned and turned towards the direction of the noise. Lottie sat on a small wooden chair, the kind that could easily be moved. There was a second one right beside her, and she patted it with her hand.
Tiana walked forward, her short green skirt flowing. She plopped down beside Charlotte and rested her legs.
"Oh, Tia, honey, aren't you excited?" Charlotte handed her a small American flag. She held one as well, and quickly waved it through the air. She was dressed in a more lavish dress than Tiana's own - a puffy white dress that had been dyed once more to have streaks of red and white.
Tiana nodded. "I've been waiting all day for this." Earlier, before night had settled in, Tiana herself had dealt with customers. All the while, her eyes had watched the window, as the sun slowly sank down the sky.
"Oh, Tia, it's going to be beautiful." She laced her fingers through Tiana's own and squeezed her hand.
Tiana's eyes returned to the sky, to two familiar stars. For the first time in a long time, she closed her eyes and made a wish. After getting her restaurant, she had been sure that she would never need upon a star ever again, even if they did only take her halfway there most of the time.
"Tia, what was that?" Charlotte asked. "I couldn't hear you."
Tiana never answered; wishes were best kept as secrets after all. Besides, she need not say more as fireworks lit up the sky. Some were the classic red, white, and blue, while others were different colors, often in neon shades. The sky glowed bright, and Tiana could not move her eyes away.
She squeezed Charlotte's hand back.