[Ham Seoyeon]

Song Seolha's pool party has what it takes to be the event of the year at campus. An invitation list worth of the biggest birthday bashes in town, a magnificent venue (her family's villa, which is worth a hundred billion won), and delicacies from all around Korea and the world.

Even though I'm a party girl at nature, I'm surprised to have scored an invitation to such a magnificent event. While Seolha does know me, and we are also on quite good terms, she has never invited me to such a large party. This is why I have to be super prepared.

***

As expected, Seolha's pool party is a blast, between lavish facilities and hot as hell bikinis and trunks. I've made sure to pick my sexiest two-piece: a daring teal bikini with lace. My friends approve... but so does Cha Sumin, who's drooling over me. I have to admit I'm flattered.

Between a compliment and another, I make my way to the patio, where Seolha lies on a beach chair surrounded by four guys. She notices me and waves at me. "Seoyeon, come and join us!" I approach them and realize I know none of the guys. I need a round of introductions.

"Seoyeon, I'm sure you remember Taehyung." I'm confused. Where have I heard this name before? Fortunately, Seolha helps me refresh my memory. "Oh, come on, have you already forgotten? Paeng Taehyung, 'Paintball Beast.' You defeated him at paintball by miracle." Oh, that guy. I was very lucky I won against him, so I won't brag about that in front of him even if I can.

The other two guys are Joo Duhun and Kim Seungyeol. They're complete new faces to me. The only thing I get to know, thanks to Seolha, is that they're friends of Taehyung's. Considering that the latter himself is a total dork when it comes to flirting, I guess the other two guys are like him.

I say hello, which they all return. Seolha then takes Taehyung to another area of the patio, leaving me alone with Duhun and Seungyeol. The former asks me, "Are you and Seolha friends? You seem to know her quite well."

I deny being close to her but reveal. "She invited me because she thinks I'm a great asset at parties. That's it."

"Fair game. I just came because of PB. I originally didn't want to, but he convinced me because there's plenty of girls. Like you." He kind of embarrasses me. Is he trying to hit on me?

Before I can ask him more questions, he notices Yujin, one of my friends, passing by. She has changed from her modest fuchsia bikini to a more daring one with lace and crystals. Seolha must've told her to try it on. She looks amazing with it.

Anyway, Duhun, who only has eyes for my friend, goes after her. This means Seungyeol and I are left on our own. He seems an interesting guy. He wears a simple red trunk. He doesn't strike me as someone who needs anything flashy to impress.

I ask him, "Are you new here?"

"Not really," he answers. "But I met PB through a few mutuals on social media." PB is short for Paintball Beast, aka Taehyung. He seems to take pride in that nickname. I'll try calling him by that to see if he appreciates it from me.

Before my thoughts make me deviate from the discourse, I turn my focus back on Seungyeol. "Oh, okay. What do you think of this party?"

"It seems cool, but where are the drinks?" Already focused on alcohol, I see. I take him to the open bar without complaint. There, he eyes the vodka and lemon gin. He takes them at the same time, ignoring my attempt to warn him.

"I don't think you should start with such strong stuff from the get go. Maybe you could try something lighter." Nothing. My advice is dead air. He has already imbibed on lemon gin and is now moving to vodka. More precisely, his third shot.

I change strategy; by that means, I try to flatter him. "You look sexy when you drink. You know what? I'll have some vodka with you. Just one shot, though. The party is still long, and I don't want to be wasted just yet." I purr at him to attract his attention.

He pours me a shot of that strong drink as I request. He hands it to me, allowing me to snatch the glass from him with a delicate gesture. He stops and stares at me as I sip the booze with a slow and measured movement. I casually let out a burp, causing him to recoil.

"Sorry. I'll try again." Second round, second shot. This time, I try to look even more elegant, prim and proper when I let it down my throat. When he, instead of paying attention to my moves, grabs a beer for himself, I roll my eyes.

"You're gonna be drunk as fuck, dude. Trust me," I point out. Yet, he doesn't seem to care. Nonetheless, I add, "You look hot, by the way."

Seungyeol lets out a groan. What's the problem with him? Too much alcohol? If that's the case, it's not my fault for him ignoring my warning. Still, I don't go hard on him. He may just be a little uncomfortable. Plus, I'm not even feeling tipsy as of now, while he's wasted.

"No more alcohol for now, okay. Let's go and lie down somewhere. You need to recover your form." Okay, this is about to go south. He doesn't seem to appreciate my advice.

He angrily gestures at me to leave him alone. "Go away, you're not my mother!"

"But I-"

He cuts me off in a rude manner. "I told you to go away! Do you need a drawing or what?" Is he for real? This is him being drunk, by the way. What if he had been sober? Would he have been equally as blunt?

I insist. "Please, just let me-"

"I've had enough of you. Fuck off!" His latest word shock me so much that I end up crying like an idiot. Almost everyone stares at me open mouthed. Duhun, who has just got out of the main pool with Yujin, is also dumbfounded. He drags Seungyeol away with a few harsh words. "What the fuck have you done, Seungyeol? Are you crazy?"

Yujin, who notices I'm still crying, offers me to join her and the rest of my group of friends for a dive challenge. I accept wholeheartedly, not wanting to ruin everything with a bad mood after a shitty hour with that dude.

At the trampoline, Yujin and I find Chaeyoung and Sangcheol, my other friends, along with Seolha and Taehyung. "Oh, at last we have one more competitor," says Seolha triumphantly. "May the dive challenge start!"

Despite having had three shots of vodka with Seungyeol, I fare well, but Seolha impresses with perfect dives in all three rounds, ultimately winning the challenge. Yujin comes in a close second, while both Chaeyoung and Taehyung make poor figures. The two of them are highly intoxicated.

I suggest. "How about we do something a little less... dangerous?"

Seolha echoes me. "You're right, Seoyeon. Let's order pizzas. Dinner time is coming soon." She notices that tears have restarted pouring down my cheeks. "Are you okay?"

I shrug. "Don't worry, Seolha. It's nothing serious." She is the star of the party. As such, I won't let her know about my fiasco with Seungyeol just yet.