1 month later

I run my fingers through my hair, staring myself down in the mirror. My phone sits black-screened on the bathroom sink, taunting my eyes to look every few seconds.

"Y/N?" Kat's muffled voice seeps through the door.

"Yeah?" I call out, shaking myself out of the trance I've put myself in.

"You okay in there?" She asks, and I hear the doorknob jiggle. I reach over and unlock it, letting her in.

"Yeah." I repeat numbly.

She stands with her shoulder pressed against mine, giving herself the same look, "Is this a bad idea? I feel like it's a bad idea." She rushes, matching my own anxiety.

"Probably." I admit just as my screen lights up, revealing a text from Tara.

Just got here.

"Too late now." I sigh, picking up my phone to show Kat.

Tonight's Corey's birthday party. Kat said Sam, Colby, and him left the house on good terms so it was safe to assume they'd both be there. Tara got an easy in being the little socialite she is. I knew reconnecting with Kat would ultimately lead back to Colby, and as much as I hate to be doing this, I can't exactly say I was happier before. I don't know what it is. Why can't I just let it all go? Just when I was starting to get him out of my head, I agree to this crazy plan.

He's like a drug. Tease me with him, and suddenly I just have to have him. Even if it's indirectly.

The wait is suffocating.

My veins feel like they're surging with electricity, every small movement is erratic.

"I need a shot." I grunt, slithering past her out to my kitchen. She follows close behind me, eager to get one herself.

"What if Sam is with a girl?" She mutters as I slide her a glass.

"He's not. It's too soon." I try assuring her, throwing the vodka down. It burns the back of my throat and I clench my eyes to keep it from coming back up. I hastily pour myself another, downing it mechanically, desperate to slow my senses enough to calm the fuck down.

By the time we get another update, Kat and I are sprawled on my couch, lightheaded and very much drunk.

I'm more fascinated by the time rather than the message. Two hours had gone by like nothing. I burst into a fit of giggles at our lack of reality.

"What'd she say?" Kat slurs, her eyes half closed with a stupid grin on her face.

I slump my arm towards her, the weight of my phone intensified, "I-I can't read it." I trip on my words.

She grabs my phone with both hands, holding it centimeters away from her face with an animated squint, "They've been gl-glooming in a corner the whole time." She struggles to read.

An uncontrollable cackle erupts from my chest. Oh how the turn tables. They're the ones hurting.

I swipe my phone back, calling Tara. She answers after the third ring, and we can hear the music before her voice, "Hang on!" She yells, and soon the background is quiet, "What's up?"

"Aha! AHAHA! What's going on? How's it going?" I cover my mouth with my hand to try and control myself. I can't help it.

"Are you drunk without me?" She gasps offensively.

"Maybe a little." Kat chuckles into the phone, dropping her head on my shoulder.

I let my head fall onto hers as we listen in on Tara, "Oh my god! Well I've been watching them like a hawk all night and they haven't done anything alarming. Colby looks half dead and Sam looks like he's gotta shit himself. Definitely chick repellents."

A satisfied smirk casts my lips. Drunk me is a lot angrier than sober me. She feels justified.

"Wait hold on-" we perk up as we listen to Tara return to the party, "Shit."

"What!" The euphoria I was just feeling vanishes instantly.

"Some girl just went up to them. I'm gonna get closer!"

My heart starts pounding in my ears.

"What's she look like?" My thoughts are more coherent than they've been this whole time, the alcohol losing all effect.

"Uh, long, red hair. Pretty but in a bitchy way."

My stomach flips so rapidly. My mouth fills with saliva and I have to choke down a rush of vomit.

You're fucking kidding me.