the music pulsed through the crowded living room, the bass rattling the windows with each beat. demitra leaned against the makeshift bar, the sticky surface already littered with plastic cups and spilled mixers. the party was chaotic, louder than she was used to, but something about it felt electric—a sea of strangers laughing, dancing, and shouting over each other like it was their last night on earth.

she fiddled with the zipper on her coat, trying to ignore the dull ache forming behind her temples. she hadn't planned to come tonight—it wasn't really her thing—but her friend had convinced her it'd be good for content.

"we'll do an outfit of the night reel," her friend had said, practically shoving demitra out the door. "people eat that up! trust me—you need this."

now, standing alone while a group of sophomores belted the wrong lyrics to a song in the corner, demitra was regretting every second of it.

"you look like you hate this," someone said, their voice low and dry.

demitra turned, her stomach flipping. the girl standing beside her was striking. her dark hair fell across her shoulder in effortless waves, and a pair of wire-rimmed glasses sat perched on her nose. the lenses caught the glow of the string lights above, making her eyes glitter as she tilted her head toward demitra.

"sorry, is it that obvious?" demitra asked, her voice betraying a hint of nervous laughter.

the girl shrugged, lifting a plastic cup to her lips. "just a little. you've been messing with your coat zipper for five minutes."

demitra glanced down, suddenly self-conscious. "guess i'm not great at this whole...socializing thing."

the corner of the girl's mouth quirked into a smirk. "you don't say."

something about her sarcasm stung, but it also sent a strange thrill through demitra's chest. the girl's confidence seemed effortless, like she belonged in a room full of people who barely knew her.

"what about you?" demitra asked, leaning slightly closer. "not much of a dancer?"

"not really," the girl replied, her tone dismissive. "too many people, not enough space. plus, i prefer not to embarrass myself in public."

demitra's lips curved into a smile. "sounds like an excuse."

the girl raised a brow, her gaze flicking down to demitra's hands, which had returned to fidgeting with her coat zipper. "and what's your excuse for hiding out by the drinks?"

caught off guard, demitra flushed, unsure how to answer. the way the girl's glasses slipped slightly down her nose as she watched her made demitra's heart skip.

but before she could form a reply, the girl set her empty cup on the counter and straightened up. "anyway, have fun with...whatever you're doing."

"wait—" demitra blurted out before she could stop herself, the word hanging in the air like a plea.

the girl paused, glancing back over her shoulder. the look in her eyes softened for a split second, and demitra swore there was a hint of interest there. but then she shrugged again, a small, almost apologetic gesture.

"see you around," she said, her voice light but distant.

demitra watched as she disappeared into the crowd, her heart still racing from their brief exchange.

who the hell was that?

she barely noticed the chaotic music anymore or the loud laughter echoing off the walls. all she could think about was the girl with the glasses, the dry wit, and the smirk that lingered in her mind like an unsolvable puzzle.

for the rest of the night, every time someone brushed past her, demitra found herself glancing over her shoulder, hoping to catch another glimpse.

but the girl never came back.