SIX

My thumbs fly over my screen as I shoot off one text after another to Millie—“Sorry for not picking up!” “Where are you?”—like my life depends on it.

She’s usually fast to respond, but it’s been two whole minutes, and each one feels like a lifetime.

My fingertips start tingling from the nerves, my eyes darting between my phone and the entrance, where I half-expect her to pop up like a ninja.

I glance toward the pool area, where the lacrosse boys are being absolute menaces, shouting and shoving each other around like a bunch of wild monkeys.

They’re half-dressed, chugging beers, and doing cannonballs into the pool, splashing water everywhere and egging each other on.

It’s almost impressive how James—who’s only been back in town for a single day—has somehow managed to summon practically every breathing body from school to his massive house. He’s got that “popular boy” aura in full effect tonight.

I shake my head, trying to shove those distracting thoughts aside. I need to focus, so I dial Jugyoung’s number again, hoping she’ll pick up this time.

But it rings and then drops straight into voicemail. I huff in frustration, muttering under my breath, “God, Jugyoung, where are you?”

Right then, my phone lights up with an incoming call. The sudden ring nearly jolts me out of my skin. It’s Millie.

My stomach clenches as I stare at her name on the screen, flashing accusingly. Shit.

Should I answer? Pretend I didn’t see it? Or just play dead?

After a moment, I take a deep breath, trying to gather whatever scraps of calm I have left, and head to a quieter corner.

I duck near some bushes by the backyard, hoping the noise will be muffled enough, and finally press answer.

Trying to sound as chill as possible, I go, “Hey, Millie!”

But she skips the pleasantries and cuts right to the point. “Where are you?”

“I’m, uh, in my room. I wasn’t feeling well, so I stayed in.” Smooth, I think, maybe she’ll buy it—

“Funny. I stopped by, and your mom said you’re with Jugyoung for a ‘study session.’”

“Shit, shit, shit,” I mutter, mentally kicking myself for not briefing my parents on the cover story.

My mind scrambles for an answer, and I blurt, “Oh, I did go over! But I felt sick, so I came back home after, like, fifteen minutes.”

The lie sounds pathetic even to me, but there’s a pause, then a sigh on the other line.

She softens. “Alright. I was worried about you.” My guilt rises, and I quickly ask where she is, mentally bracing myself.

“At some random party. Hannah dragged me along.” She’s here. I force a laugh and tell her to have fun, hoping she’ll let it go.

She hums a goodbye and hangs up, and I slump back in relief, the weight lifting off my shoulders. Damn, that was close.

“GRACIE BABY!” A familiar voice suddenly screeches through the noise, making me whip around.

Jugyoung’s bouncing around the pool area, her arms flailing and yelling out my name, clearly lit up like a firework. She’s in full drunken chaos mode, and everyone’s laughing at her antics.

I shove my phone in my pocket and march over, hissing, “Where the hell did you go?” She just giggles, pokes my nose, and slurs, “Guess what? I kissed a guy, Gracie!”

She wobbles away toward Charlotte and her crew before I can stop her. Grinding my teeth, I follow her, watching her announce to everyone that we’re playing beer pong.

“Jugyoung, seriously—let’s go,” I whisper, but she ignores me, practically throwing me into the group as they set up a makeshift table.

The table’s barely prepped when a familiar, smooth British accent makes everyone turn. “Is that beer pong?” James’s voice carries over, making my heart do a weird little jump.

He grins at the setup, stepping forward and glancing at me. As he slides closer, he asks, “So… did my sober potion work?”

I glance at Jugyoung, who’s too busy giggling to stand straight, and stammer, “Yeah no, I…lost her but she is back now.”

James chuckles, giving me a look that makes my pulse go haywire. But before I can even process his reaction, a guy named Daniel claps his hands, “Guys!” and announces the rules: if you miss the cup, you chug and do a dare.

Oh, great. Beer pong and dares. My two nightmares wrapped in one.

The game kicks off with Daniel tossing the ball and landing it perfectly in a cup, his team erupting in cheers.

On our side, Charlotte steps up, aiming directly in front of James, but she misses. Everyone cheers again, and Daniel grins, handing her a dare card.

She reads it out, her eyes lighting up: “Give a sexy dance to one of the guys on the other team.”

Without missing a beat, she grabs James by the hand and pulls him close, practically gluing herself to him as she starts swaying and grinding.

James looks more amused than anything, but I can’t help the little flash of annoyance twisting in my stomach. I mean, really? Did she have to choose him?

Jugyoung’s beside me, groaning, “Ugh, I wish that was me.” I’m tempted to say, “Same, girl,” but I just nod, eyes glued to James as he smirks down at Charlotte, one hand lightly resting on her hip.

Jugyoung groans beside me, muttering, “Ugh, I wish that was me.” Honestly, I want to scream, Same, girl, but instead, I just nod, trying not to look too obvious.

James is smirking down at Charlotte, his hand all casual on her hip, and it’s… definitely doing something to me.

I swear, that dance lasts way too long, like they're starring in their own rom-com. Finally, they pull apart—thank god, without a kiss—and James comes back over, rejoining the game like it’s no big deal.

My heart’s racing, but I keep it together.

ugyoung misses her shot, as expected, and takes a swig of her drink before reading her dare: to blow kisses to everyone around her.

She struts around the circle, fake-blowing kisses to random strangers, and everyone cheers. She’s living her best life, clearly.

Two rounds later, it’s my turn. I’m trying not to look nervous as I take aim, praying to every higher power that this shot lands. But nope.

The ball bounces off the rim and lands somewhere totally random. “Universe, why do you hate me?” I mumble, closing my eyes as they hand me a cup with my dare.

I chug it down, the bitterness burning all the way down, then read the card. And my heart stops.

Kiss a guy you find attractive.

Everyone goes silent, watching me like hawks, and Daniel shouts, “Well, you’re lookin’ at an attractive guy right here.”

He laughs, winking, but I barely notice because my eyes are locked on James.

He’s leaning back with that infuriatingly cocky smirk, his gaze locked on mine, and I swear I feel my pulse quicken just from that look.

This is my chance. Just one kiss, I think. I take a deep breath, convincing myself that maybe this moment is mine to grab, and step toward him, feeling everyone’s eyes on me.

But just as I close the space between us, a voice cuts through the noise, clear and familiar, stopping me dead in my tracks.

“What’s going on?”

I freeze, snapping my head around, heart sinking as I spot her. Millie stands at the edge of the crowd, her green eyes narrowing as they lock onto mine.

Perfect timing, I think, my stomach dropping.