The party's in full swing when Naomi takes my hand and leads me inside.

Sarah's house is packed, the air thick with laughter and music, and I try to match Naomi's easy smile as she introduces me to everyone.

Her friends, like Sarah and Meg, are exactly like she described-funny, bold, and the type who tease without mercy.

They don't let a single moment pass without throwing her under the bus, especially when it comes to me.

"Naomi wouldn't shut up about you last week," Sarah grins, nudging Naomi with her elbow. "It's like she thinks she's dating a celebrity or something."

I want to gasp but Naomi's blush is stronger and faster.

"Right!" Meg bubbles.

Naomi's face reddens again as she groans, and I feel a bubble of laughter rise in my throat.

She gives Sarah a playful shove, but I don't miss the way her eyes flick to me, as if gauging my reaction to all this.

I smile at her, feeling a little warmth spark in my chest. It's nice- all this, feeling like I'm a part of her world for once, not just orbiting around it.

The party's loud, lively, and honestly, everything I usually avoid. But with Naomi's arm around my shoulder and her friends making me feel welcome, it doesn't feel so much to handle.

For the first time, I'm not the quiet girl sitting in the corner with the camera or the yearbook girl or the photography girl. I'm Naomi's girlfriend, and for tonight, that feels like enough. It feels like it's all I need.

The party is as crazy as the people in it. Soon enough someone is shouting on top of their lungs suggesting a game of Seven Minutes in Heaven.

My stomach two and twists for some reason. I shoot a glance at Naomi, hoping she'll bow out, but she just smirks, clearly game.

We settle in a circle and I sit across from Naomi and next to Meg on the other side is Ethan. It's weird how he still hangs out with Naomi despite being her ex.

I might feel a bit jealousy but right now, none of that matters.

The bottle spins a few rounds, some laughs, some blushes, but nothing major.

Until it's Naomi's turn.

The bottle lands on Margret, the girl she dated for a hot second last summer. How do I know this? Well, let's just say, it's public knowledge and given her reputation, I don't think it would have stayed a secret.

I freeze as Margret shoots up and at the same time, Naomi does too. She throws me a quick glance and offers a small casual smile as if saying: Don't worry. It's just a game.

But that's not me. I'm always worrying.

I try to keep my face neutral as Naomi and Margret disappear into the closet. Everyone's chatting, laughing, but I feel like I'm a million miles away.

I know it's silly, that it's a harmless game, but my mind won't stop racing.

Watching her walk into a closet with her ex, even if it was casual, makes something ache in me.

She's mine now, right?

But why does it feel like that means so much more to me than it does to her?

The seven minutes pass. When Naomi comes back out, her cheeks are a little flushed, and she shoots me another easy grin. I try to return it, but my stomach's still twisted.

The game continues until it's Naomi's turn again, and Sarah, full of that devilish mischief, pipes up, "Alright, Naomi, time for a real dare." Of fucking course she had to pick a dare.

"Tell us something no one knows about you... or"-she gestures grandly toward Ethan, Another one of Naomi's ex-"you kiss Ethan."

Naomi's laugh is easy, relaxed. She glances between me and Ethan, then shrugs like it's not even a hard choice.

"Fine."

Before I can react, she leans over and gives him a quick peck on the corner of his lips. I'm close enough to see that their lips brush and that makes my insides burn.

What I the actual fuck?

Everyone whoops and laughs, but my heart sinks. I know it's just a game, but seeing her kiss her ex-even in a silly, harmless way-stirs something deep and uncomfortable in me.

Naomi glances back at me, a slight frown on her face, I look away, because avoiding her is better than acting like I'm okay with this.

After the game winds down, Naomi takes my hand.

"Come on. Let's get out of here."

The ride to my house is mostly silent. And I'm glad we are using her jeep this time. I don't think I would handle having my arms around her with my seething heart.

Naomi glances at me every now and then, as if trying to figure me out, but I keep my gaze on the road.

When we pull up outside my house, I finally take a breath. I know I need to say something because I won't sleep.

"You really didn't have to kiss him, you know," I mumble silently, not moving out of the car.

Naomi raises an eyebrow, caught off guard.

"It was a dare, Luna. Just a stupid game."

"I get that." I pause, struggling to put my feelings into words. "But... I didn't...it felt like...you could have just gone with the stupid personal stuff."

She sighs, her face softening as she turns to look at me.

"Luna, you know you're the only one I want to be with. Ethan's history."

I nod, wanting to believe her, but the kiss and seven minutes of heaven keep replaying in my mind.

"And Margret? That didn't mean anything either? Because I could have sworn she had a smile on her face when she came out."

Her expression shifts, a touch of frustration flashing in her eyes.

"Are you seriously mad about that too? Luna, she's a friend. It was all for fun."

"Okay," I say, my voice low. "I just..I'm probably overeating." I'm not!

Naomi exhales, rubbing her hand across her face.

"Luna, stop overthinking this. You're making it a bigger deal than it needs to be."

I bite my lip, feeling that familiar ache in my chest.

I nod. I don't know what else to say because she is dismissing me for expressing myself.

Her eyes soften, and she reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Hey, I'm here, aren't I?" She looks into my eyes, and for a moment, I want to believe her.

To trust that this, whatever it is between us, is as real to her as it is to me.

But something in her tone, in the way she brushes it all off, leaves that small, gnawing doubt lodged in the back of my mind.

She kisses me softly, like it's meant to erase everything, but as we pull apart, that ache's still there.

I look away, knowing we're not going to get anywhere tonight.