The smoky haze of weed and the sweet tang of cocktails mingle in my veins, enveloping me in a heady euphoria. My senses sharpen as I survey the scene before me. Damien and Lora, lost in a blissful slumber, lie intertwined on a sunbed, their soft snores harmonizing with the night. Cassie, radiant under the starlit sky, sprawls on the grass, her laughter echoing through the air like a siren's song.

Drawn to her infectious joy, I gravitate toward Cassie's side, settling down beside her on the cool grass. Together, we gaze up at the sprawling expanse of stars, their twinkling lights casting a dreamlike glow upon us. The silence stretches, teasing my curiosity until I can no longer resist. Leaning in closer, I break the tranquil spell, my voice laced with intrigue, "What's so damn funny, Cassie?"

A mischievous spark dances in her eyes, and a devilish smile tugs at her lips. "Oh, John," she chuckles, her voice dripping with playful mischief. "You have no idea how amusing it is. Out of all the girls in this messed-up world, you just had to sleep with the one I actually liked."

Confusion knits my brow, and a pang of hurt stirs within me. I turn to face her, searching for answers in the depths of her eyes. "Explain yourself, Cassie," I implore, my voice a mix of curiosity and vulnerability.

Cassie's laughter softens, replaced by a knowing smile. "Isn't it painfully obvious?" she teases, her voice carrying a hint of longing. "I had feelings for Stephanie, and you had to come crashing in, ruining everything, just like you did in high school with my then-best friend, Lucy."

Defiance surges within me, pushing back against the accusations. "Hold on a damn minute, Cassie," I retort, frustration tingling in my voice. "I didn't plan any of this. Stephanie and Lucy both showed interest in me. I didn't set out to sabotage a damn thing."

She brushes off my protests, her gaze filled with skepticism and bitterness. "Stephanie? She's just a naive college girl, using you to play mind games and make me jealous," Cassie scoffs, her words laced with disdain. "It's always the same pattern."

Anger courses through my veins, a fire ignited by her unfair judgment. "Oh, so now I'm responsible for all your failed relationships?" I challenge, my voice pulsing with indignation. "Am I the scapegoat for every damn problem in your life? Did you fucking your therapist was somehow my fault too?"

Cassie straddles me, her rage palpable, fist poised to strike. A twisted smile tugs at my lips as I meet her gaze head-on. "Go ahead, Cassie," I dare her, my voice laced with a dark humor. "Give me your best shot. I've grown accustomed to weathering your storms ever since I returned home."

Her scream pierces the night, a cacophony of frustration and pent-up emotion demanding answers. "Why the hell did you even bother coming back?"

Caught off guard, the walls around my heart crumble, revealing a vulnerability. "Because I missed you, Cassie," I confess, my voice a fragile whisper, pleading for understanding.

Overwhelmed by the weight of my words, Cassie swiftly dismounts, her eyes brimming with a tumultuous mix of emotions. She flees into the house, leaving me lost in a whirlwind of confusion and regret, the echoes of our confrontation lingering in the night air.