C O Z E N
verb [kuhz-uhn]

To cheat, deceive, or trick.

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You held onto your friend's arm as he walked through the dense crowd of people. The loud music thumped within your chest, as the strobe lights illuminated your face and changed colours.

You tried for best to avoid the people you passed, you felt extremely claustrophobic. James turned back to look at you and tilted his head in confusion. He slowed down until you walked up to him.

"Are you alright?" He yelled over the music and you nodded your head, leaning towards his ear.

"Yes I'm okay James! Where are your friends?" You asked, equally loud, after giving him a kiss in the cheek, and he pointed at a large booth up ahead.

As you moved closer to your end destination the crowd reduced. You let go of James' arm and stood right beside him. A couple of people stood up and walked over to the both of you to greet you.

"Hey guys, how you doing?" A man hugged James and smiled widely, then looked at you.

"I'm great! It is so... loud here," James ran a hand through his hair then turned to you, "This is-"

"Hi I'm [y/n], one of James' oldest friends," You introduced suddenly, stepping closer to the man and putting your hand out happily. You glanced at James, who raised an eyebrow with suspicion. The man shook your hand and smiled brightly.

"Michael, one of James' actor-friends," He said and chuckled. Michael squinted his eyes and tilted his head, staring at you intently. "I'm sorry but... Do I know you?" He asked and you furrowed your eyebrows,glancing to James who shrugged his shoulders with detachment.

"I don't think so."

"You just... You look familiar. I'm probably confusing you with someone else," He shook of the thought then looked at the empty booth, "Shall we take a seat?"

*****

You kept an eye on Michael constantly. He was rather dashing and you loved the energy coming off from him. He was currently interacting with another group of friend who were standing by the booth in front of yours.

You rested your chin on your palm and-

"What are you doing?" James questioned, sitting opposite you with an eyebrow raised.

"Nothing..." You hummed, your attention still on Michael and his movements.

"[y/n]," James said sternly and you shook your head to knock yourself out of your thoughts.

"What? Sorry, um... what were y-you saying?" You straightened yourself in your seat and turned your attention to James in front of you.

"What are you doing?" He repeated with confusion, "Stop staring."

You furrowed your eyebrows and looked at him with shock. "Excuse me? What do you mean 'what are you doing'?!" You mocked and rolled your eyes, "I'm just observing the party of people James. Stop being gloomy."

He scoffed and fidgeted with his hands. A lengthened moment of silence stretched between both of you till you decided to ask him something.

"Hey James, Michael organised this party right? What are the projects he's working on right now? What are his... hobbies?" You asked, not turning your attention to James while you spoke but still keeping it consistently on Michael.

James looked at you with disbelief then shrugged you off. "I'm getting a drink, figure it out on your own [y/l/n]," He grumbled and you glared at him.

You eyed him as he walked off, "Argh, rude." You went back to sipping your drink, feeling a wave of loneliness and awkwardness all of a sudden after James had left the table.

You had no idea why he was acting so differently tonight. He was being a killjoy and you hated it. For once, could he not have fun? All he gives you are weird, judgemental stares that you shake your head and roll your eyes at. What else are you supposed to-

"Hey [y/n]," Michael walked up to you and you loooed up to him, "Why don't you take a stroll with me?" He put his hand out for you to take and you smiled.

*****

James sulked around the club. As bodies jumped up and down along with the beat, sweat beading down their skin, he desperately wanted to get out of here. At first he was looking forward to a club-night-out, but now... He wants nothing to do with it.

James stopped at the bar and orders a shot for himself, which arrives promptly. He wanted to get drunk but he lacked the motivation-

As he drank the shot, he saw you at the other end of the bar, leaning close to Michael and laughing as he spoke. He was probably trying his best to win you over with some cliché story that every guy mostly goes for.

James scoffed, shaking his head with amusement then ordered another shot. He turned away to look at the rest of the crowd but couldn't help to glance at you and-

Your hand grazed Michael's arm as you stared deeply into his eyes. You moved closer to him and he whispered something in your ear.

James was close to crushing the shot glass with his bare hands out of enragement. He started to make his way towards the two of you, his attention not shifting for a single moment.

He was about to pounce on Michael when the lights in the club dimmed to almost dark then brightened to a soothing purple. A song started thumping within the club and James looked around, feeling his anger subside a little. But as soon as he saw you, all his emotions came back.

He saw that you noticed him approaching but you didn't acknowledge his proximity. Just as he was about to shout out to both of you, Michael stepped away from you and walked over to a man that stood a couple stools away at the bar.

James sucked in a sharp breath then continued walking to you, gathering the courage to speak with you.

'Do you got plans tonight?
I'm a couple hundred miles from Japan, and I...'

"Hey [y/n]?" He called out from behind you and you turned around with surprise.

"Hi James!" You smiled at him and he felt a little happy to see the optimism on your face towards his presence.

"Do you want to... dance?" He proposed and you looked to your right to where the main dance floor was with the bright lights and beams.

'... I can't get you off my mind.
Can't get you off my mind.'

"Um... I don't really... Maybe in a few minutes?" You told and he raised an eyebrow and ran a hand through his hair, forcing a smile on his face.

As the beat dropped, and the lights broke into a complete disco fury, Michael returned and held your arm. People shoved and pushed around James, and he only saw a glimpse of Michael whispering something in your ear.

James walked back, away from the bar to a spot that wasn't as populated with people. He pushed past people when he couldn't find you or Michael as he looked about.

"[y/n]?! [y/n]!" He yelled out for you then forced his way forward, "HEY GET OUT OF MY-"

He almost tripped but he spotted you in the centre of the dance floor with Michael standing in front of you.

As the song beat in his chest, he stared blankly at your face and actions, disbelief and heartbreak spreading within him. You had rejected him... and you had taken Michael, whom you had just met, instead of someone you've known for ages and who's been with you through everything.

He looked to the floor and clenched his fists. James sighed then mumbled, "Have it your way." He looked towards the club exit and walked that way with nothing diverting his mind.

Nothing could affect him more emotionally than how you did right now...