As the song ended, everyone cheered and a new one began. I breathed heavily and peered at Jax. His hands were still wrapped around my waist, and mine rested on his chest. I felt his heart pounding under my touch, mirroring mine. Like me, he was sweating and panting from all the energy we’d just burned.

His blue eyes met mine, and he grinned. I beamed back, the noise around us fading as we kept looking at each other.

It was so much fun—like being transported back to the days when we were kids. Back when Jax and I used to dance and sing while Noah played instruments in the background. Those memories flooded me, and for a second, I wished we could go back. I missed those days more than I cared to admit.

"Is she watching?" Jax’s voice pulled me out of my daze.

"What?" I blinked in confusion and my smile faltering.

"Ivy. Is she watching?" he asked again, eyes searching mine. My jaw clenched at the mention of her.

I was genuinely enjoying myself with Jax—so much that I’d forgotten why we were dancing in the first place. It wasn’t real. It was all just to make her jealous.

I peeked behind him and saw Ivy’s spot empty. "She’s gone," I muttered through gritted teeth.

He turned his head sharply, letting go of my waist. "Where did she go?" he asked, bouncing on his feet as he scanned the room.

"Hell if I know," I snapped, frustration rising as I shoved through the crowd off the dance floor.

On my way to the balcony, I spotted Kevin in the corner, upside down with a flask, the crowd chanting, "Chug! Chug!" And I rolled my eyes.

He’s going to regret that in the morning.

I inhale the fresh air as I stepped outside. Chilly wind blew making my sweaty body shiver. I wrapped my arms around my body and rubbed them to keep me warm.

Glancing down at the pool area, I observed everyone. They were all busy doing their things, playing beer pong in the corner, walking, flirting, and some were sitting on the poolside.

The night was clear with few stars sparking, and the dull sound of music came from behind. I looked around when my eyes caught a familiar blond boy surrounded by drunken girls. I giggled at the scowling face Noah made as he gently tried to push them away, but failed. Placing my arms on the railing, I rested my chin on them and observed him.

I don’t get why he’s single.

Noah was hot—there was no denying it. Girls threw themselves at him all the time, but he always turned them down with polite excuses. He dated a couple girls, but nothing serious. Eventually, people started saying he must be gay.

But I never believed it.

"Hey. What are you doing here?" Emily appeared beside me, leaning against the railing.

"Watching Noah," I said, eyes still on him.

"And... why are you watching him?" she asked, clearly intrigued.

"Because he’s cute and funny." I chuckled softly.

"According to the female population survey of our high school, Noah is not ‘cute and funny’," She adjusted her glasses, giving him a once-over. "—he’s hot and serious."

"For me, he is," I smiled to myself.

"I saw you dancing with Jax. Looked like you were having fun."

"Yeah," I sighed.

Too much fun, apparently.

Noah, after failed attempts of getting away from the girls, slumped his shoulder and looked up in frustration when his eyes caught mine. I held my breath, looking at him. He narrowed his eyes at me, then darted his gaze behind me.

"Hey, I saw Ivy. Come on!" Jax suddenly appeared and grabbed my arm, pulling me back inside.

But before we could go far, Ivy stepped in front of us with arms crossed. "I want to go home, Jax. Now." She didn’t even look at me and I narrowed my eyes at her.

Oh, I’m not done with you, bit*h. Not even close.

Time for phase three.

"Actually..." I grabbed Jax’s hand. "We’ve got something to do. So you’ll have to wait." I gave her the sweetest smile I could muster.

"But I want to go now!" she snapped, glaring at me.

"I can—" Jax started, but I cut him off.

"We won’t take long." I winked at her and dragged Jax upstairs to Kevin’s room.

Whispers followed us like smoke. People were already making assumptions.

Perfect.

I shoved Jax into the room and shut the door behind us. Kevin’s room was pretty basic—just a bed in the center, a desk, and furniture in various shades of brown.

"What are we doing exactly?" Jax asked, a hint of panic in his voice as his eyes darted from me to the bed.

"We..." I locked the door, flashing him a mischievous grin. "...are going to make out."

"What?" His eyes widened as he stumbled back, falling onto the bed when his knees hit the edge.

"Excuse me for the confusion." I grinned. "We’re going to fake make out."

"And how, exactly, do we do that?" He looked genuinely baffled.

I strolled to the nightstand and opened the drawer. I had a few essentials stored at Kevin’s for emergencies. I grabbed my lipstick and turned to Jax, who now looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"I’m not going to assault you, Jax. Relax."

"I’m chill. You're just... unpredictable." He raised a brow.

"I’ll take that as a compliment." I winked and sat beside him.

"So, what’s the plan?"

"You ask a lot of questions." I rolled my eyes. "Just watch."

I dabbed my thumb with the lipstick, lightening the color by rubbing it with my finger then I reached for his face.

"Why are you putting lipstick on me?" He pulled back.

"Because when people kiss, lipstick smudges. If we’re going to convince anyone we made out, this is crucial."

He paused, then gave a resigned sigh. "Okay."

I smiled and gently dabbed the corner of his lips. My fingers brushed against his mouth—those lips I used to dream about. If I couldn’t kiss them, at least I could touch them.

"Done?" he asked, fidgeting.

"Yeah." I backed off. When he licked his lips, I smacked his arm. "Don’t lick it off!"

"Ow!" He rubbed his arm, giving me a glare.

I mussed up his hair and unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt. He raised a brow.

"To make it more realistic," I said, walking to the mirror.

"And now?"

"Now we wait." I smudged my lipstick and tousled my hair a bit more. "You go first. I’ll come out in a minute."

Without question, he left with a grin on his face. I waited, heart pounding with adrenaline, then followed.

Descending the stairs, I saw Ivy shouting at Jax, because of the music I couldn't hear them. When her eyes caught mine, I gave her a lopsided grin which made her hella red.

She spun around and stormed out of the house with Jax running after her. I should’ve been thrilled. Victory was mine. But then I saw Noah.

His eyes met mine across the room. He shook his head, disappointment clear on his face, before turning and walking away with the others.

And suddenly, the celebration in my chest... died.

I stood frozen on the stairs, my fake smile slipping.

I didn’t know why... but the look Noah gave me hurt.

What’s going on with me?

* * * * *