Lenoir Tetch wasn't exactly the college party type. She preferred quiet nights with a book or deep dives into obscure psychological studies. But Edgar—her boyfriend of exactly three weeks—had convinced her to come to this one.
"It'll be fun," he had said, flashing that easygoing smile of his. "It's just a small get-together. Nothing crazy."
Yet here she was, standing outside a house pulsing with loud music, gripping Edgar's hand like a lifeline.
"This doesn't look small," she muttered, eyeing the groups of students spilling onto the front lawn. Someone had already climbed onto the roof, and inside, the dimly lit space swarmed with people shouting over blaring music.
Edgar squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We'll stay as long as you want. If you're not having fun, we can leave."
She exhaled, trying to loosen the tension in her shoulders. "Okay. Let's go in."
The house smelled like a mix of alcohol, sweat, and too much cologne. People greeted Edgar with casual nods and claps on the back, acknowledging him in that effortless way that made her wonder how he knew so many people. She was used to being invisible in crowds. Edgar, on the other hand, seemed to float through them like he belonged.
"You want a drink?" he asked, leaning down so she could hear him over the music.
"Just water," she said.
While Edgar went to grab their drinks, Lenoir hovered near the wall, scanning the room. Some couples were dancing, others were playing beer pong. A girl nearby complimented her outfit, which was surprising, since she'd thrown on the first black dress she could find.
Edgar returned with her water and his own drink—something neon blue that smelled like sugar and regret. "So," he said, "what do you think?"
"It's… a lot," she admitted.
Edgar chuckled. "Yeah, but you're handling it like a champ." He nudged her playfully. "Wanna dance?"
She hesitated. She wasn't a dancer. But Edgar's hopeful expression made her reconsider. "…Fine. But if I look ridiculous, you have to pretend I don't."
"Deal."
Dancing turned out to be easier than she expected—mostly because Edgar made it fun. He wasn't particularly good at it either, which helped. He spun her once, nearly knocking into another couple, and they both burst into laughter.
"You're actually pretty good at this," he teased.
"Liar."
"Maybe. But you're cute, so it balances out."
Lenoir rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop smiling.
After a while, the heat of the room got overwhelming, so they stepped outside to the quieter backyard. Lenoir took a deep breath of fresh air, enjoying the break from the chaos.
"Thanks for coming with me," Edgar said, leaning against the porch railing. "I know this isn't really your scene."
She glanced at him, studying the way the dim light softened his features. "It's not. But… I don't mind it as much when you're here."
He grinned, bumping his shoulder against hers. "That's all I needed to hear."
They stood there for a while, just enjoying the night. The music thumped inside, but out here, everything felt calmer. Lenoir wasn't sure if she'd be going to more parties anytime soon, but maybe, just maybe, it wouldn't be so bad—so long as Edgar was by her side.