Alec pushed open the door to his apartment, a playful grin spreading across his face as he stepped inside, his girlfriend, Mia, following closely behind. The sound of loud, upbeat 90s music blasted through the walls, vibrating the floor beneath their feet. Alec couldn't help but chuckle at the vibrant energy seeping into their space from next door.

Nate was sprawled on the couch, a gaming controller in hand, his brow furrowed in mild irritation. "Can you ask them turn that down?" he called out, his voice barely rising above the music. "I'm trying to concentrate over here."

"Come on, Nate! It's a party!" Alec said, dropping his bag by the door. "Lighten up a bit! It's just some loud 90s nostalgia. Besides, it sounds like fun."

"Fun for you, maybe," Nate replied dryly, his eyes still glued to the screen. "I don't get why you're so excited about a bunch of  dancers throwing a rave next door. It's like they're trying to start a disco inferno."

Mia laughed, playfully nudging Nate's shoulder as she joined Alec in the kitchen. "Oh, come on, Nate. You should join them! Live a little! Who knows, you might actually enjoy yourself."

Nate rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile at their banter. He'd seen the dancers, too, vibrant and full of life, as they'd arrived with Elliot two hours ago. Elliot, with his colorful clothes and infectious energy, had quickly become the talk of the building—at least for Alec and Mia.

Alec leaned against the kitchen counter, pouring himself a glass of water. "You know, Elliot's just your type... physically," he said, a teasing glint in his eye. "And he's fun, enthusiastic, and he clearly loves to dance. I mean, you could use a little more excitement in your life, don't you think?"

Nate shrugged, feigning indifference as he continued to play his game. "Yeah, well, I don't really do 'parties.'"

Alec leaned in, a smirk on his face. "You mean you don't do fun. Just think about it, Nate. You could go over there, dance a little, and maybe even meet someone who doesn't think you're a total bore."

"Please," Nate muttered, though the corners of his mouth twitched upward. "I don't dance. You know that."

"But you could!" Mia chimed in, her excitement infectious. "You could let loose for once! Elliot seems like he knows how to have a good time. And who knows? He might surprise you."

Nate let out a reluctant sigh, glancing toward the wall that separated their apartment from Elliot's. The music pulsed in rhythm with the chatter of laughter and conversation from next door. He could picture the scene—colorful outfits, carefree smiles, and Elliot, probably the center of it all, inviting everyone to join in.

"Not a chance," Nate finally conceded.

Alec let out a sigh and shook his head while, Mia leaned over to Nate, her expression softer. "You know, it might be nice to break out of your shell a little. Just give it a chance. You might find it refreshing."

Nate ignored her, and continued his game until he couldn't bear the invasion of 'Spice up your life' pounding against his eardrum. He furrowed his brow, trying to focus on the game, but the relentless beat of the music made it nearly impossible. He glanced at the screen—his character was getting pummeled, and it was hard to concentrate with the sounds of laughter and the catchy 90s pop blaring through the walls.

"Seriously, how can they even hear themselves think?" he muttered, reaching for the volume control on his TV. But as he turned the knob, the music only seemed to get louder, as if mocking his efforts to drown it out. "See? This is why I don't do parties," Nate grumbled, finally pausing the game and throwing the controller onto the couch. He got up, running a hand through his dark hair in frustration. "That's it! I'll go over there and ask them to turn it down."

"Now you're talking!" Alec cheered, a hint of mischief in his voice. "Just go and enjoy it a little, Nate. Who knows? You might actually have fun."

Nate shot him a look, half-annoyed. "Yeah, right. Let's not get ahead of ourselves." With a resigned sigh, he headed for the door. As he stepped out of their apartment, he could still hear the laughter and shouts from next door. He knocked lightly, the sound almost swallowed by the music. After a moment, the door swung open, and there was Elliot, practically glowing with enthusiasm. He was dressed in a vibrant, colorful shirt and loose dance pants, his blond curls bouncing as he moved to the beat. The glimmering eyeshadow, the blush on his cheeks. The sight took Nate by surprise; it was like stepping into a whole different world.

"Hey! Welcome to the party!" Elliot exclaimed, his eyes sparkling. "Come on in! We've got music, snacks, and tons of drinks!"

Nate felt the urge to step back, overwhelmed by the chaotic energy radiating from the crowded room and the colorful crowd behind him.  "Uh, actually," Nate started, raising his voice to be heard over the music, "could you turn it down a little? It's pretty loud."

Elliot's expression shifted slightly, but he still wore a bright smile. "Oh, sure! I can turn it down. I'm really sorry!"

Nate hesitated, feeling stupid for being so grumpy. He decided to leave, just as his brother and Mia walked up behind him and pushed him forward. "Hey Elliot! Meet Mia, my girlfriend!"

Elliot's eyes lit up as he saw Alec and Mia approach. "Hey! Nice to meet you!" he called out, his excitement undeterred by Nate's reluctance. He stepped aside, motioning for them all to enter. "You're just in time! We've got some amazing snacks and drinks!"

Nate felt a surge of annoyance as his brother and Mia nudged him forward, practically shoving him into the lively atmosphere of the apartment. The music pulsed through the air, vibrant and lively, and he couldn't help but feel out of place amidst the chaos.

"For fucks sake," Nate muttered, but the words got lost as Alec and Mia stepped past him, chatting animatedly with Elliot.

"Come on, Nate! Just one dance!" Alec encouraged, laughing as he grabbed a colorful drink from a nearby table. "It'll be fun!"

Nate shot him a glare, a mix of irritation and disbelief crossing his face. The last thing he wanted to do was dance in front of a crowd, especially one as boisterous as this. Elliot turned back to him, apologetically this time. "I'm sorry, I'll turn down the music."

Nate couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between him and Elliot yet again. While Elliot exuded warmth and brightness, dressed in colors that practically screamed joy, Nate felt like a shadow—a dull contrast in his dark jeans and simple white t-shirt. The thought of letting loose and joining in on the revelry made him uneasy, but there was something about Elliot's earnestness that made it hard to refuse.

With some reluctance, Nate followed them further into the apartment. The colorful decorations and the energy of the room were overwhelming, but he couldn't deny the excitement buzzing in the air. People were chatting, laughing, and dancing, their movements fluid and carefree.

Nate found a spot near the edge of the room, trying to keep his distance from the dancing crowd while still feeling part of the scene. He watched as Elliot flitted around, effortlessly engaging with everyone, his laughter ringing out like music in itself. Observed the crowd, he noticed the mix of Elliot's friends—mostly girls but a surprisingly big number of fit, muscular guys who radiated energy and confidence. They moved with an ease that spoke to their athleticism, laughing and dancing with a vibrant spirit. Yet, amidst the laughter and chatter, Nate's attention was drawn to one guy in particular. He was tall, with a chiseled jawline and a warm smile that seemed to light up the room, his eyes frequently flicking toward the host. Elliot, in turn, seemed to be drawn to him as well, their glances lingering just a moment longer than necessary. There was a spark of connection that Nate couldn't ignore, and he felt an unfamiliar twinge of something—jealousy, perhaps, but he wrote it off as annoyance. Just then, a girl with bright green hair and a playful demeanor approached Nate, her smile wide and welcoming.

"Hey there! I'm Zoe, one of Elliot's classmates," she said, extending a hand for a quick shake. "We're having this party to celebrate the start of the school year and, of course, all of us getting accepted at TMI! It's a huge deal!"

Nate nodded, trying to appear engaged despite his discomfort in the social setting. "Nice to meet you, Zoe," he replied, glancing back at Elliot, who was animatedly chatting with his friends.

Zoe followed his gaze, her expression shifting into one of understanding. "Oh, I see you've noticed Elliot and Aaron." She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "They've been paired up as dance partners for the year. It's kind of cute, actually."

"Cute?" Nate echoed, a hint of skepticism creeping into his tone. He couldn't help but feel a possessiveness stir within him, which surprised him even more.

"Yeah! They work really well together. Aaron's been dancing for years, and he's super talented. I think they're going to have a lot of fun," Zoe explained, her enthusiasm infectious. "The school is amazing for the LGBTQ community. They really encourage everyone to take on the roles they want, regardless of gender. It's all about expression and creativity here."

Nate considered her words, "That's... refreshing," he admitted, still unable to tear his eyes away from Elliot, who was laughing at something Aaron had said.

Zoe grinned, noticing the direction of his gaze. "So... you two know each other then? He's such a great guy! And he's been through a lot, you know?"

"We're neighbours," Nate replied simply, though he felt a mix of annoyance and an unexpected spark of interest.

"He's got this magnetic energy, doesn't he?" Zoe continued, her eyes sparkling. "It's hard not to be drawn to him. Just wait until you see him dance—he's incredible!"

Nate nodded slowly, feeling the weight of her words. "I can imagine." The thought of Elliot moving gracefully to music, full of life and expression, filled Nate with a strange mix of feelings. Too many feelings to handle. So he excused himself and left.

Elliot had turned down the music, and Nate was grateful for the reprieve from the loud beats that had been pounding in his head. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, letting out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. But as he moved back toward the couch, he found he wasn't really interested in playing anymore. The vibrant atmosphere of the party still lingered in his mind, but it was the image of Elliot that played on repeat.

Nate couldn't shake the memory of his bright smile, the way his curls bounced with every movement, or the energy he exuded that seemed to draw everyone in like moths to a flame. There was something captivating about the way Elliot engaged with those around him—his laughter, the way his eyes lit up when he talked and laughed, and the genuine enthusiasm he brought to every conversation.

Nate rubbed the back of his neck, a frown creasing his brow as he tried to process the strange mix of feelings that had bubbled to the surface during his brief encounter with his new neighbour. There was a flicker of want, a hint of jealousy, and an unfamiliar stirring that made him question why he felt so compelled to stay away from someone who seemed so... alive. He plopped down on the couch, trying to immerse himself in the game, but the controller felt heavy in his hands. His thoughts kept drifting back to the party—how vibrant and lively everyone had been, how different it was from his usual routine of work and gaming. He had always preferred the quiet of his own space, the predictability, but now, a nagging part of him questioned if that was really what he wanted.

Elliot was exactly the opposite of him—a whirlwind of color and sound, a person who embraced life without hesitation. Nate found himself wondering what it would be like to be a part of his life. He couldn't shake the image of Elliot, the joy radiating from him, and Nate felt an unexpected pang of ... what? With a sigh, Nate set the controller down and stood up, glancing toward the door. The music had softened, and he could hear snippets of laughter and conversation filtering through the walls.

No. He told himself. He was not going to fall for the boy next door. He'd had enough heartbreak in his life, and Elliot he was just too different, to happy and too... lovable.