The screech of the knife grinding against the plate brought Catalina out of her reverie, making her cringe. She hadn't noticed when she finished her pancakes. She set her knife down and stabbed a tater-tot with her fork, popping it in her mouth.

   "Everything okay, baby?" Philip tilted his head, reaching for her hand.

   Catalina refrained from retracting her hand from his. Offering him a smile, she nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

   "You liking the food?"

   "Of course." Catalina bit down on another tater-tot; they'd always been her favourite. "Sunny's tater-tots are to die for."

   He furrowed his brows and leaned towards her. His green eyes were tinged with concern. "Is it exams? Are you still worried for Hydro?" He frowned. "You know, baby, you've got this, I know you do. You always try your best on exams."

   She nodded as she picked at her food. "Mhmm. I know."

   Philip stroked the back of her hand gently. "Babe, you know you can always trust me; I'm here for you, willing to listen. We promised we'd always communicate, so just don't be afraid, sweetheart."

   Catalina smiled at him and slipped from his touch, picking up a glass of water and taking a sip. It didn't feel right. Things didn't feel right with him. It was as if they were picking up broken pieces and trying to mend them perfectly; they'd never get there, not without resurfacing the hurt and betrayal.

   "Cat, I know things are rough right now. I know we're just starting things up again, but we have to build each other up, yeah?" He smiled and pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.

   She tapped her ring against the glass, liking the click-clickity sound it made. "Yeah, I know. I'm just a little tired."

   "Have you been sleeping well?"

   Catalina shook her head and dropped her gaze. "To be honest, not really." She sat back on her chair and avoided his gaze. "I've just been thinking a lot."

   "Nightmares?" He asked, leaning towards her slightly.

   She used to have a lot of nightmares when she was stressed, but it wasn't like that these days. "No, I guess it's something like insomnia. I find it hard to fall asleep."

   "Do you want me to call you at night, like how I used to?"

   "No," she shrugged, "it's okay. You need to sleep too. It's exam season."

   Philip stirred his coffee and nodded. He'd probably end up calling to check up on her. After all, it was Friday, he didn't need to wake up early for class or anything. He didn't mind calling her and lulling her to sleep.

   "The food's amazing," Cat commented, pouring herself another glass of water. "As expected of Sunny's."

   For a girlfriend, Cat seemed awfully cold these days. Philip understood, she was still getting over her break up with Jae, he only needed to be a bit patient, show her he trusted her.

   "I was thinking we watch a movie later, you up for it?" He raised an eyebrow.

   Catalina shook her head. "No, I have to finish a project before twelve or else the prof will murder me."

   "Then, do you want to chill Monday?"

   "Yeah," her eyes lifted from her plate, "want to go to the park? We could walk around for a bit and then watch a movie? Yeah?"

  "Yes, I'd really love that, it'd be a lot of fun." This was the first time since they began dating that she had actually suggested something. She'd been out of it, but he was happy she was trying. He knew how much trouble he'd caused her but it was nice that she was starting to be social with him again, even if little by little; they'd get there eventually, there was no reason to rush things.

   And so they settled on it. They'd meet up that Monday and hopefully things would start looking up.

———•———

   "Jae! That's enough!"

   Jae whirled, his drink almost sloshing over in the red solo cup. "What?" He slurred from his place atop the kitchen island.

   "Get down, right now!" Iris tried to reach out for his hand, hoping to pull him down. "I leave for three minutes and you guys go crazy?"

   "No," Jae pouted and brought the drink closer to himself, stepping away from her as he swayed to the music. "It's mine, Iris, get your own, baby." He giggled while he shuffled back next to Daniel, who was also bouncing on the countertop. "Let me drink with this beautiful mans, okay?"

   Daniel gasped. "Oh my gosh, Jae boy, I didn't know you thought of me like that." He wrapped an arm around the Korean boy's shoulder and shot Iris a look. "You see, he loves me more than you."

   Iris rolled her eyes. "Jae, I think you've had enough. You're drunk, you need to stop." She reached out for him once more.

   "Okay, okay, let me just have half, yeah?" He pouted once more and furrowed his brows, blinking his eyes like a puppy. Iris' gaze trailed down from his face—an almost obnoxious dark pink— down to the similarly coloured hollow of his throat, and over to his fire-hydrant red arms. The bright yellow sunflowers on his black button-up shirt only made it more noticeable.

   Iris took a deep breath and nodded. Who would've known he was such a lightweight. He'd barely drank that much but he had downed about four shots in less than a minute at one time and he'd already had about four more mixed drinks including the one he currently held.

   He gave a sheepish smile and stared at her as he downed part of the drink. He lowered the cup slightly as he reached the halfway point and Iris sighed in relief. He locked eyes with hers as he tilted the cup and gulped the rest in one go.

   Iris was too late when she yelled out to him, the drink already gone.

   Jae began to dance to the rap song that played in the background, actually rapping along to it. His dance moves were sloppy and silly. He was clearly off his rocker. Daniel began mimicking him and they jumped around, belting lyrics and moving to the music while people cheered them on. Jae unbuttoned a few of his buttons and the crowd cooed.

   "Guys." Iris rubbed her temple. She regretted having to chaperone them, they were out of her hands and way too drunk.

   "Iris, let loose," Daniel grinned. "It's a party for a reason."

   "Not when Jae's going to fall and hit the floor and looks like a literal beet." Iris climbed unto the countertop and the drunk university students immediately cheered.

   Iris took Jae's arms and pulled him down to crouch.

   Jae whined as he was stopped from dancing. "You're so bo-ring," Jae sang while the crowd booed after they'd all gotten down from the marble counter.

   Iris decided to ignore him, jumping down and holding tightly onto Jae so he wouldn't get back up.

   Jae nearly tripped once his feet touched the floor, tumbling slightly only to be held up by one of the many girls that had the counter circled.

   Iris flickered her gaze to the short woman. Her long black hair flowed down her back in waves. Her face was as red as Jae's (her red velvet dress didn't help her much) and judging from the sharpness of her eyes, she was Korean as well. Iris noted how her eyeliner further sharpened the shape of her eyes; there'd be no doubt she could kill a man with those wings.

   In Iris's eyes, she was the very definition of an ABG.

   Jae sheepishly laughed. "Thanks."

   The girl fluttered her false lashes and gave a shy smile. "No problem. Are you okay, though?" Her English was perfect, she definitely wasn't an international student, but she held the grace of one, with brand name accessories and her head held high.

    Daniel wrapped his arm around Jae's shoulders again and offered the young woman his hand. "I'm Danny and this is Jae."

   "Audrey." She reached out to shake Daniel's hand and then turned to Jae, pushing back a lock of her hair behind her ear. "You had some nice moves."

   Jae blushed. "They weren't that great. I'm better when sober."

   "Do you..." her voice trailed, "...want to dance?"

   "I..." Jae's eyes caught sight of her lipgloss; it looked exactly like Catalina's.

   Daniel pushed Jae towards the girl, making him tumble back into her arms. "Of course, he'd love to. Take good care of him."

   "Yeah, but don't get lost, okay?" Iris sighed. As long as he didn't start jumping on furniture again things would be alright.

   "Yeah." Jae straightened himself and pulled away, an embarrassed smile plastered on his lips.

   Audrey wasted no time in taking a hold of his hand and leading him out to the living room where there was enough space for them to dance.

   She began dancing, swaying her hips to the music and resting her hands on Jae's shoulders. She was beautiful, her hair looked soft as silk, while her body was petite. Her velvet dress felt soft under Jae's finger tips. The outfit she'd chosen was very seductress-like, but her smile seemed as innocent as that of an angel.

   "I haven't seen you before, you new?"

   Jae shook his head. "I just never went to parties, they weren't my thing."

   Audrey stepped a little closer to Jae, closing the space between them as they felt the music resonate in their bones.

   "You know, you're very cute." She leaned in a bit so he could hear her, her finger sliding over his exposed collarbone.

   Jae gulped and stepped slightly away from her. "Thanks." He felt the blush burn his cheeks but he knew the Asian flush would mask it. "You're cute too."

   "Aw, thank you." She continued to dance at the distance he'd created, respecting his boundaries while she ruffled her hair.

   They danced for what felt like an hour, but Jae could hardly think of time in the moment. He heard that the music slowed for a second, and a man came up behind Audrey. Although Jae was drunk, and his inhibitions were slow, he managed to pull Audrey to himself, he felt that if a girl didn't agree to dancing, the guy shouldn't be trying to dance with her.

   Jae looked down at her after the man left with a scowl on his face, he opened his mouth to ask if she was okay but her big black eyes closed shut and she kissed him.

   He froze underneath her touch, barely moving an inch as she pulled him down slightly so as not to be on her tiptoes. Her fingers tangled in his messy hair as she brought him closer.

   The lipgloss was sticky, tasteless, nothing like he'd imagined. Why did it look or smell so good when it was so bland? The fact that this was his first kiss didn't even cross his mind, all he could think of was how disappointing lipgloss was.

   Audrey pulled away after noticing that he hadn't reciprocated the kiss. She lifted an eyebrow and blinked, not saying a word.

   "Why did you...?" He didn't finish as he furrowed his brows and steadied himself.

   Audrey brought a hand to her chest. "I'm sorry, I... you pulled me in, I thought—"

   "There was a guy..."

   "Oh," she gasped, "oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. I—oh god." Her eyes drifted away from him, she was clearly embarrassed. She gave a half-cough, rubbing the back of her neck as her ears lit up in a blush too. "I'm honestly so sorry, like, shit, sorry."

   He laughed. "It's okay."

   She visibly eased at how he'd lightened the situation.

   "Want a drink? I don't wanna dance anymore." Jae asked, taking her hand. After she nodded, he squeezed them past the packed living room and back to the kitchen. Iris and Daniel weren't anywhere to be found but that didn't bother Jae as he made it to the counter without tripping over, miraculously.

   Audrey took over the pouring since Jae missed the cup the first time. She poured him significantly less than he wanted and even suggested that he drink water instead, after his protests, she gave in and poured him a shot of vodka mixed with lemonade.

   They'd deemed it too loud inside so they stepped out on the deck, where the winter air bit at their cheeks and noses, while the smell of cigarettes lingered around them. They sat down on the deck, steps groaning underneath them.

   Jae sighed, a puff of warm air lingering in the wind. He took a sip of his drink before reaching into his pocket for his pack of cigarettes, but it was empty. He groaned and slumped into the railing.

   "What's wrong?" Audrey asked, leaning on her knees.

   "My cigarettes, I lost them." Jae turned to her.

   Audrey's cheeks were bright red, from her drinking and the bitter cold wind. But it was refreshing to sit outside, it was a nice change from the burning, sweaty and dizzying heat of the house.

   "You smoke?" She frowned. "That's not good for you."

   Jae rolled his eyes. "You aren't my mom."

   Audrey kept silent, sinking into her knees and looking out at the yard.

   They sat in silence for a while, just staring at the grass. Their breaths forming misty clouds in the wind. There was no moonlight, no stars, it was dark outside and awfully silent, save for the chatter of some smokers.

   "So, why are you here?" Audrey mumbled, turning to him.

   He shook his head. "I'm just not a party person."

   She gave a soft chuckle. "You said that earlier. But why today?"

   Jae looked up at the cloudy sky and sighed. "Heartbreak."

   As the thoughts of Catalina rushed back he looked back down at his feet, irritation clouding his drunken mind.

   "What did they do?"

   "Cat...she didn't do anything wrong...she just doesn't like me back. But, I like her so damn much," he grumbled. "I hate it," he managed in Korean.

   Audrey landed a hand on his back and patted it.

   "Like, she's...she's got these...spots," he meant freckles but the word left him, "on her face and they're so cute. And her smile," Jae smiled at the thought, "it's so free and pretty. And when she puts little clips on her hair, it kills me. And, and," he laughed, "she's got a lisp. Isn't that cute? She's so nice too, and she's touchy...like without meaning it. But...it's so different, you know, than Korea?"

   "You love her, huh?"

   "She's so familiar with people, Drea said it was the culture, and that's so different than what I'm used to. She gives kisses on the cheek all the time, always used to hook her arm around mine, or playfully hit me. I fell so easily."

   Audrey looked away, taking her arm back to herself. "Sorry again for kissing you when you really had your heart on someone else."

   "Doesn't matter anyway, she has a boyfriend."

   "That's...rough." It was all she could say.

   He rubbed his face. "I need a cigarette," he mumbled again in Korean, his mind was too cloudy to think properly in English.

   "Well, you lost them, boo-hoo." Audrey grinned.

   "Then, how about we try that again?" Jae raised an eyebrow, tilting his head.

   She laughed. "Try what?"

   "The kiss." He deadpanned, he clearly wasn't thinking straight.

   "Jae... I don't think we should, you like someone else."

   "Why not? She doesn't like me anyways."

   "Jae, you're drunk, that's why."

   "Doesn't matter. I want to replace her." Jae leaned towards Audrey, placing his hand on her cheek.

   Audrey took a deep breath, ready to push him away, but he took her hand. "Do you like me?" He mumbled, warm breath on her lips.

   "Of course, you're hot but—"

   "I won't ask you twice." His voice was a low murmur, gruff and hoarse; probably from the yelling and the liquor. "I'm letting you just this time."

———•———

   "Danny, look, I called Cat, she'll pick you guys up." Iris rushed as she looked through her small purse for her cell phone. She'd just put it away, where the hell did it go?

   Daniel held his head as he leaned against the wall, his body slumped next to the bathroom. "What? Why?"

   Iris frantically searched until she found it. It was in her back pocket. She sighed in relief. "My brother's sick, and I have to go home right now. I can't leave him alone. Maddie doesn't drive and Drea also needs to take care of her brothers. Cat's the only one that can come."

   "But Jae," Daniel grumbled.

   "Daniel, whatever you do, don't move, stay here. Cat will look for Jae, but I really got to go, like now." She looked at the time on her phone before she texted Catalina the address. The phone immediately rang with a text. "She said she'll be here in about fifteen. Can you do that, Danny? Can you stay here?"

   Daniel lazily nodded and then held a hand to his mouth. The alcohol had come back up his throat.

   "Shit." Iris huffed and pounded on the washroom door. "Hurry the hell up!"

   After a couple stumbled out of the washroom, Iris helped Daniel to his feet.

   "Remember, stay outside of the bathroom, that's where I told Cat you'd be. Okay?"

   Daniel hurled into the toilet just as Iris left the bathroom. She hurried down the stairs and rushed to her car.

———•———

   Catalina drove through the cool winter night. With how panicked Iris sounded, there was no way she wouldn't do her the favour of picking Jae and Daniel up. Catalina was thankful her parents were understanding and let her go, she was also thankful that the party wasn't that far. She managed to pull up to the driveway in less than fifteen minutes, relieved for the night traffic.

   She tightened the jacket around her body and prepared herself to enter the maze of students partying it up, she silently prayed that no one would talk to her and she could go about her business. The music was loud and deafening, it didn't help her oncoming headache one bit, the sleep deprivation was hitting her hard.

   Immediately, the sweaty, smokey air filled her lungs and she gagged, she wasn't fond of parties when she wasn't in the mood. She squeezed past a group of friends before was bumped into a young man. He reeked of alcohol, but then again, the entire house did. He turned, angry look on his face but as soon as his dark eyes landed on her he shot her a smile.

   "Oh, hey babe, you here alone?" His voice was sultry, his clothes disheveled and hair a complete train wreck.

   Catalina grimaced. "That's none of your business."

   She stepped towards the stairs, but the man took hold of her wrist.

   "Feisty. Where're you goin', baby girl?" The brat tried to look as seductive as he could by lifting a brow and winking at her.

   She wasted no time in twisting his hand off her, giving him a glare. "First off, don't touch me, second," she spat, "don't you call me that again."

   It seemed as if the guy took the message and backed off, he was probably too drunk to handle 'moody' girls. Catalina was thankful he didn't try to follow her as she climbed the stairs and made her way towards the second floor washroom where she found Daniel sitting on the floor, holding his head.

   Catalina crouched and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey," she lulled. "You okay?"

   He sniffled and looked up at her. "I don't feel so good."

   She pushed his hair back out of his face and offered a soft smile. "Let's get you home, okay?"

   Daniel slumped. "I don't think I can..." He held his mouth and breathed. "...get up."

   After taking his arm and wrapping it around her shoulders, she steadied herself. "Come on, on the count of three, okay?" He barely gave a nod of approval. "One, two, three." She stood, helping him to his feet as he held his mouth tighter.

   Daniel swayed and Catalina had to steady him quickly before they both toppled to the floor. She wrapped an arm around his waist and struggled to get him down the stairs. A sober student helped her get Daniel out of the house and into the car safely, she was thankful for that, she knew she couldn't have done it alone because Daniel was basically dead weight at this point. They'd drank way too much for Daniel to get this far gone, she could only imagine how bad Jae was.

   Catalina couldn't find him anywhere in the house, she searched the living room, dining room, kitchen, bathrooms, basement, hell, she even searched the bedrooms and came across unwanted sights before she thought to check the backyard.

   The biting cold air nipped at her nose and she immediately coughed at the smell of cigarettes, she hadn't meant to, but she wasn't expecting it. Catalina slid the door closed behind her and shivered. The wind blew through her hair so easily that she cursed herself for not bringing a hat. She looked around but couldn't spot Jae, so she stepped down the stairs and noticed two people lying on the grass, laughing and shivering.

   "Jae?" Catalina called and immediately one of the people rolled to look over at her.

   "Kitty Cat!"

   His bright smile made Catalina's breath catch in her throat. She knew he was drunk, but he looked so happy to see her, the happiest she'd ever seen him that she couldn't help but smile at him too.

   The person next to him sat up and it was only then that Catalina noticed it was a girl.

   "Why are you here?" He asked as he knelt and stared up at her. Then his smile fell. "You're not here with Philip, right?"

   "Ah." Catalia's smile fell too. "No, I came to pick you up, Jae."

   Jae slouched. "Aw, but Audrey and I were just having fun."

   Catalina looked over at the girl and smiled. She had to be the prettiest girl at the party. Her flushed skin was flawless.

   "I'm Audrey." She waved. Even the way she moved was sexy.

   Catalina offered a smile as she waved back. "Catalina."

   "You're the Cat, right?"

   "Yeah, I think so." Catalina's smile didn't fade. "I hope Jae hasn't said anything bad about me," she laughed.

   Audrey shook her head, her hair flowing. "He's only said nice things, he's been a good boy."

   "Thank you for making sure he didn't make a fool of himself, I would've had to drag him out of the house by his hair if he was jumping on tables again." Catalina sat on the grass, giggling at her own joke. "I feel so bad for the owner, oh my gosh."

   "Hey," Jae pouted, "I'm right here."

   Audrey could immediately tell Jae was head over heels for Catalina with how his demeanour changed drastically. He seemed soft to the touch in Catalina's presence, as if he'd become a block of jelly.

   "We know," Audrey laughed.

   Jae looked over at her, frowning and that's when Catalina caught sight of something on his neck. She gulped and stood from the cold ground at the sight of the red mark.

   "Well," Catalina dusted herself off, "We should get going. Danny's waiting in the car and I left him by himself, he could've just puked all over my dash."

   Jae laughed as he was helped to his feet. "But I don't wanna go home, Kitty Cat."

   Catalina smiled at him and ruffled his hair. "Aren't you tired? It's three a.m."

   He shook his head. "I'm so alive right now. Why don't we dance?"

   Catalina looked over at Audrey and smiled. "Will you be alright? Do you have a ride home?"

   The brunette nodded as she too stood from the grass. "I'm fine."

   "Are you sure?"

   "Yeah," she laughed, "this is my house."

   "Oh, shit. I'm so sorry." Catalina sighed. "I'm so sorry Danny and Jae caused so much trouble. I hope they didn't break anything."

   Audrey shook her head. "It's okay, they're fine. They didn't break anything...well, nothing important, a bottle of vodka took a hard hit."

   Catalina giggled. "Anyways, I really gotta go, told my dad I wouldn't take too long. But again, thank you, it really means a lot."

   Audrey offered help to get Jae to the car, but after Catalina refused profusely, she bid them farewell.

   Jae wasn't as drunk as Danny, so he could actually take his own steps, even if he swayed a little. She managed to shuffle him into the back seat of the car without any protests from his part.

   "I don't want to go home." Jae grumbled as soon as Catalina started the car. "Please don't take me home, Cat, my parents won't like it."

   "Jae," Catalina looked back at him. "Where are you going to sleep?"

   "I told you I'm not tired."

   Daniel whined as he tossed and turned in the front seat.

   "Let's take Danny home first and then we'll figure it out. Yeah?"

———•———

author's note

hey guysssss omg it's been ages huh? lol I hope you guys liked this chapter! i sure as hell had lots of fun writing it! Isn't drunk Jae cute? I love my boi. Shocking it was his first kiss huh? Yeah, i wanted to have a story where the girl was more experienced with relationships and the guy wasn't... that way it was more un-cliche haha

What do y'all think about audrey? I think she hella fine, and i love her

Is she gonna be a re-occuring character? Hmmm?

as always! don't forget to vote and leave a comment, they always make my day!

Are you guys excited for next chapter? It's strictly Jae and Cat fluff tbh.

Next chapter will be posted later this week!!

-aleja.x

p.s; for those interested in audrey's looks