𝕵une dislikes the very existence of parties with a strong, growing animosity towards the despicably common social event.

She's found them to be fun at times — of course when you're surrounded by friends and couldn't be bothered about what strangers around you are involved in.

But not like this. Not with her roommate — and designated driver, mind you — indulging in some good ol' fashioned underage drinking along with her girlfriend and her best friend trying to act as a human barrier between the two girls and the crowded kitchen counter.

Oh, and also not when the boy she's being in love with since well, forever has taken to casually ignore her in the corner while he talks to a friend of Nico's.

No, correction — flirt with a friend of Nico's while she, Juniper Bauer, stands dejected in the corner with her half filled cola cup and her glares burning holes in the back of the oblivious boy's head.

She sips her soft drink feeling the fizz transport all the way down to her oesophagus, a sore tiredness spreading through her limbs as the exhaustion of the day sets in.

She leans her head back in an attempt to tear her eyes away from Jack and the girl he's decided to entertain for the night yet the burning in her heart seems to intensify.

"You alright?".

She immediately straightens up to find Nico standing beside her with a raised brow, sipping from his very own cup which seems to be full of water.

So responsible.

June smiles quietly, "Mhm".

"You're sure? You seem kinda off today", he remarks leaning on the wall beside her.

She shrugs.

"I'm just a little tired, I guess. I think . . . . I think I'm gonna go out to the balcony, you wanna come?".

She didn't mean to say it out loud because after all, she'd been planning to go out on the balcony alone and try and clear up her head amidst the chilling fresh air.

But . . . it just slipped out. You know like some of those times when you can't seem to get a handle on your tongue, it works out of its own volition completely ignoring your brain's pathetic screams.

And when he shrugs in affirmation, she feel herself regret it even more.

It's not that she doesn't like Nico, it's just . . . she hasn't really spent much time with him and that alone is enough for her anxiety to spark up.

Swallowing indiscreetly, she plasters on a smile and leads the way out of the tall glass windows leading out to a fairly modest balcony which overlooks a quaintly busy street.

They stand side by side; June's arms reflexively wrapping around her body in an attempt to make her small.

"Would I be wrong to assume there's something going on between you and Jack?".

She chokes on her spit, coughing loudly as a tinge of embarrassment covers her cheeks.

Her widened eyes turn to Nico's who stands watching her in amusement.

"Why would you think that?", she tries to keep her voice level.

He purses his lips in thought.

"I don't know, he always seems really happy around you and . . . he speaks so highly of you. Also, I did notice the death glares you were sending his way just now", he says it as if it's the simplest thing in the world.

Oh god, am I really that obvious?

"Uhm . . . no, uh", she coughs into her fist, "No, there's nothing. We're just friends".

Nico looks ready to argue but resorts to nodding with a resigned sigh.

"Hey, I saw you . . . oh, Nico. Hey".

She glances back in alarm catching sight of Jack's peeping head which looks weirdly confused by the unlikely duo standing on his apartment's balcony.

"Excuse me", Nico sends a parting smile June's way and silently walks back in probably sensing the uncertainty of June's hostility.

"You wanna come back in?", Jack asks standing by the entrance.

She turns to face away from him.

"Nope, I'm good".

"Okay . . . ."

She can hear the confusion in his voice but honestly, she'd rather just sleep for an eternity than try and make him feel better right now.

Sometimes a girl just wants her bed.

"Can Luke drive me home?", she asks into the void knowing still that he's stood there staring at her.

He clears his throat.

"I could drive you".

"I said Luke".

He sighs out in irritation.

"I'm not sure. Think I saw him try and wrestle a bottle of tequila from Emma".

A surprised laugh escapes her lips as she throws him a glance.

The corners of his mouth tug up.

"What?", June narrows her eyes tucking her hair behind her ear.

A faint smile paints his lips with the lingering step he takes outside.

"I like your laugh".

Her mouth goes dry, eyes rapidly blinking in shock of the fact that he really just said that.

She thinks of letting her face do its thing and break out into the biggest, most embarrassing smile ever.

But then she remembers that he's been saying stuff like that since ages. And it rarely means anything.

Her heart falls just like that with her gaze wavering away and dropping down, her mind pondering over the consequences of what she's about to say next.

Could she . . . .? Could she actually?

What would it even do?

It wouldn't hurt to try though. Right?

"Will you drive me home?".

He looks disappointed at her response — and frankly, she is too — but he recovers quickly.

"Sure".

***
it's someone's birthday tomorrow idk who tho it's just someone