We pulled up to Jake's house, and as soon as I laid eyes on it, I was floored. The house was enormous—far bigger than I had anticipated—and it exuded a kind of old-world charm with its grand columns and sprawling front porch. Nora and I exchanged excited glances as we got out of the car, our footsteps crunching on the gravel driveway.

We approached the front door and knocked, our anticipation growing. The door swung open, revealing Sam, who gave me a quizzical look at the sight of my pink tuxedo. His eyebrows shot up, but he quickly masked his surprise with a friendly smile.

"Hey, come on in!" Sam greeted, stepping aside to let us enter. I waved my hand dismissively and stepped into the grand foyer.

"Where's my money, bitch?!" I yelled playfully, unable to contain my excitement any longer.

Jake, who had been standing a few steps away, turned the corner just in time to see me. His eyes widened, and he choked on the Red Bull he was drinking, spraying a bit of it on the floor. He burst into laughter, clutching his sides.

"No fucking way, you actually wore a tuxedo?" he managed between fits of laughter.

"Did you really think I wouldn't?" I giggled back, my excitement matching his.

Jake wiped tears from his eyes and, still chuckling, reached into his pocket. "Here, you've earned it," he said, handing me the money from our bet.

I took the cash with a dramatic flourish and laughed heartily. Jake joined in, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Damn," he said, still grinning, "I never thought I'd invite my new friends over for the first time and they'd show up in a tuxedo. A pink one, no less!"

"Hey, I told you I'm full of surprises!" I said, striking a playful pose.

Jake motioned for me to follow him. "Let me introduce you to everyone," he said, leading me further into the house. Nora stayed behind to chat with Colby and the others, who had gathered in the living room.

As we walked through the house, I couldn't help but notice how different it was from my own place. The interior was a bit of a mess—clothes strewn about, empty pizza boxes stacked haphazardly, and barely any furniture. Yet there was a cozy, lived-in vibe that seemed to suit Jake and his roommates perfectly.

"Okay, so this is Corey," Jake said, pointing to a guy lounging on the couch with a gaming controller in hand. "And that's his girlfriend, Devyn. Over there is Aaron with his dog Buddy, and that's Katrina—Sam's girlfriend."

Everyone gave me a once-over, their eyes lingering on my pink tuxedo. Devyn was the first to break the ice.

"Girl, I love that tuxedo!" she laughed, giving me an approving nod.

"Thank you!" I laughed back, feeling the warmth of her compliment.

Jake continued to show me around, giving me a tour of the place. The upstairs was where the bedrooms were located, and as we climbed the stairs, I could see that the rooms, though modest, had a personal touch—posters on the walls, mismatched furniture, and an abundance of personality.

"And that's pretty much it," Jake concluded as we reached the end of the tour. "What do you think?"

"This place is huge compared to mine," I confessed, taking in the sprawling layout. "It's like a maze!"

"Do you share a house with Nora?" Jake asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," I said, surprised by his insight. "How'd you know?"

"Lucky guess," he shrugged with a smile. "You two seem to have that kind of dynamic."

As the evening unfolded, I found myself increasingly at ease with Jake's friends. Nora and Colby joined us shortly, and we all mingled, sharing stories and laughter. The house, despite its clutter and imperfections, felt like a place where genuine friendships were formed. And in my pink tuxedo, I couldn't have felt more at home.

By the end of the night, I knew this was just the beginning of many more adventures with Jake and his friends. The house, with all its quirks and charm, had already begun to feel like another home in our ever-expanding circle of friends