S O P H I A  H O N E Y

THIS HAS TO BE the largest crowd I’ve ever seen. The sheer number of people packed into the space makes the air feel thicker, almost electric with excitement and chaos.

“Sophie!”

Logan’s voice carries over the pulsating music. He weaves through the throng, waving at me, his casual t-shirt and jeans doing little to mask his effortless charm. As he approaches, I catch sight of two guys trailing behind him. One of them is the dark-haired guy from orientation—Jaxon, I think his name is. He’s got that wild energy about him, the type to ask outlandish questions without a second thought. Alex warned me about him, saying if Theo irritates me, Jax will drive me insane.

“Hey, Logan,” I say as he pulls me into a quick hug.

When he steps back, my gaze drifts past him, and I see Theo standing on the other side of the room. His eyes lock on me, narrowing as if my presence here is some kind of surprise.

Even from this distance, I can’t help but notice him. He looks... tired, but in a way that only adds to his rugged appeal. The dark blue top he’s wearing clings to his frame, accentuating muscles I wish I hadn’t noticed. His messy hair has that just rolled out of bed look that somehow works for him. Annoyingly. Standing beside Logan, Theo’s broader shoulders and taller frame are impossible to ignore. It’s irritating how effortlessly he stands out.

“So glad you could make it!” Logan shouts over the pounding bass of the music. His voice pulls me back to the moment.

I glance at Blair, who is already lost in the music, dancing with wild abandon. “Looks like Blair’s having fun,” Logan comments, and I give him an awkward smile and nod.

But my chest tightens, and I can’t tell if it’s the crush of people around me or my own nerves. Maybe it’s the outfit I’m wearing—something way outside my usual comfort zone. I’ve caught at least two guys checking me out since I walked in, their eyes lingering a little too long. It’s both flattering and unsettling. Screw them, though. This is a party, not a lecture hall.

One of the reasons I chose to study in this city and not my hometown was for this kind of freedom. Back home, I’d never even dream of doing half the things I plan to do here. But here I can, this is my chance to rewrite everything. To experience things I never dared to before. Like getting drunk. Not blackout drunk, but tipsy enough to loosen up.

"Hey, Soph," Jaxon greets me with a casual nod. I return the gesture, only to feel a light tap on my shoulder from Alex.

"Do you want drinks?" she asks, her tone laced with unease. I know her well enough to catch the subtext—being around these guys makes her feel awkward. And she’s not wrong. They’re the heartthrobs of the college, as I’ve learned. Jax has half the campus swooning over him, and even Logan, who’s engaged, is far from overlooked.

"Sure," I reply, glancing at the guys. Theo’s stare feels especially intense, and I meet his gaze with a glare of my own.

"Drinks are that way," Jaxon says, pointing to a corner of the room. "I could show you if you—"

"No, thank you," Alex cuts in abruptly, her voice firm as she grabs my hand.

"Goodbye, Logan," I say quickly as Alex tugs me toward the corner, her grip making it clear she’s done lingering here.

The drink station is set up in the corner, lined with bottles of alcohol and stacks of plastic cups. People cluster around, laughing and pouring drinks with careless abandon.

“What do you want?” Alex asks, scanning the table. She picks up a bottle and raises it for me to see. “Do you like this?”

“I’ll take anything,” I say, trying to sound casual. When she pours the first drink into a cup and hands it to me, I hesitate. “This is actually my first time drinking alcohol,” I admit, biting my lip.

She freezes mid-motion, her eyes widening like I just told her I’ve never seen rain before. “Wait, what?”

Her reaction makes me feel even more awkward, and I bite my lip. She quickly takes the cup back. “Okay, no. You can’t start with that—it’s way too strong.”

She grabs another bottle, pours a smaller amount into a fresh cup, and hands it to me. “Here, try this instead.”

I take a tentative sip. The liquid burns as it slides down my throat, bitter with a faint sweetness that keeps it from being unbearable.

“How is it?” Alex asks, watching my reaction closely.

“It’s... okay,” I admit. “Kind of bitter, but there’s something sweet about it too.”

She nods knowingly. “That’s Angel’s Venom. Its meant to taste both bitter and sweet. While the one I almost gave you is called Satan’s Love and trust me, you’re not ready for that one.”

I'm surprised she knows all these names. She must have gone to a lot of parties during high school.

"You're wondering how I know their names," she says with a grin, catching me off guard. I nod.

"It's definitely not from parties," she continues. "I had a father and brother who loved their alcohol more than I ever could. So... yeah."

Did she say had a father and brother? So that means...

Before I can respond, Blair stumbles toward us, her face glistening with sweat from dancing. “I'm starving for a strong drink right now. I'm fucking parched." Without hesitation, she grabs the drink in my hand. The moment the liquid touches her lips, she pulls a face. "Is this Angel's Venom?"

"Uh, yes..."

She frowns and turns to Alex. "Isn't there anything stronger than this?"

"There is, but this is Sophia's first time, so—"

"What?!" Blair spins toward me so fast I’m surprised her neck doesn’t snap. Her gasp is theatrical as she grabs my cheeks. "You're an alcohol virgin!" she exclaims. "I'm definitely going to dis-virgin you with lots of drinks in the future."

"Blair!" My face burns as I notice two guys nearby glancing over, clearly amused. I wish the ground would swallow me whole.

She releases me with a wink, snatching a bottle from the table and a plastic cup to go with it. "You guys, let's play a game!"

"Like what?" Alex asks.

Blair shrugs, leaning over the table as she takes a sip of her drink. "I don’t know. Whatever Scott’s playing with Bob over there."

At the mention of Scott’s name, I instinctively whip my head around the room. It takes me a minute to spot him.

He’s wearing a cap, as usual—but a different one this time. His face is flushed as he lets out a triumphant yell, attempting to throw what looks like a ping pong ball into a cup. He misses, and a collective groan erupts from the group of guys around him.

"Oh, he’s playing beer pong," Alex observes, her gaze following mine.

Oh, I’ve heard of this. It’s mostly party games I’ve seen in college movies. I’ve always wanted to try, but just the thought of walking over there is making my anxiety spike.

"Okay, let’s go." Blair grabs my arm, urging me to get up. "Come on, let’s play!"

"Oh, um… I’ve never played before," I admit, feeling another wave of embarrassment wash over me.

"Really?" She raises an eyebrow. "Wait… is this your first actual party?"

"Yeah."

"Wow," she says, looking genuinely shocked. "You definitely can’t play Never Have I Ever, then." She shakes her head in mock disapproval.

As we head toward Scott, I scan the room nervously, half-expecting Stephanie to pop up. But she doesn’t.

Maybe I have a chance now.

That sounds terrible, like I’m trying to steal her boyfriend. But I know they’re not really a thing. It’s not like he’d actually go for me, but… maybe I can try flirting.

If I even know how.

"Hey, Scott," Blair says, nudging his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hey, Blair." He grins and greets her with an elaborate handshake. Then he turns to Alex with a smile before finally looking at me. Instead of a handshake, he pulls me into a hug.

"How you doing?" he whispers, his breath brushing my ear as he slowly steps back. My heart feels like it’s about to explode. And then he gives me that usual, breathtaking smile of his.

"I’m good. You?"

He nods, about to reply, but Bob interrupts, calling him back to finish the game. Bob is one of Scott’s friends—he’s rarely at school and only shows up once in a while.

"You guys want to join?" Bob asks, making Blair light up. She joins them without hesitation, while Alex stands beside her, holding her drink.

"Do you want to join?" Scott asks, his gaze landing on me. I nod hesitantly, then quickly shake my head.

"Oh, um… I don’t know how to play."

"Really?" He smiles, his eyes twinkling. "I can show you." Without waiting for a response, he grabs my hand and leads me to where he was standing.

"You’re not playing?" Bob asks, glancing between Scott and me. "Is the chick playing for you?"

"Yep," Scott replies nonchalantly, his attention shifting back to me. "Want me to teach you?"

I bite my lip and nod. He starts explaining the rules—how to aim the ping pong ball into a cup and how, if I miss, I’ll have to drink whatever is inside the cup. That thought alone makes me even more determined to win. I have no idea what’s in there, but it doesn’t sound like something I want to find out.

"Yes, I win!" Blair shouts, throwing her hands in the air. "I beat you, motherfucker, so now drink!"

The guy who lost groans, fishing the ping pong ball out of the cup before downing its contents. His face twists in disgust, and the way he shrieks tells me whatever’s in there is definitely not sweet.

Scott places the ping pong ball in my hand, his fingers brushing against mine briefly. My nerves are all over the place as I line up my first shot, trying to focus on his earlier instructions.

"Take your time," he says softly, standing just close enough that I can feel the warmth of his presence.

I take a deep breath, aim, and toss the ball. It bounces once on the table before landing perfectly in the cup.

"Yes!" I shout, throwing my hands up in triumph, barely believing I actually made it.

Blair cheers beside me. "Beginner’s luck! Let’s see you do it again!"

Scott smiles, clearly impressed. "Nice shot," he says, handing me another ball.

I steady myself, feeling the pressure now that all eyes are on me. I throw the second ball, and to my utter shock, it lands in the cup again.

"Two in a row!" Blair shouts, clapping loudly.

"She’s a natural," Bob mutters, looking a bit annoyed.

Scott chuckles, leaning closer to me. "Alright, third time’s the charm," he says, his voice low and teasing. "Think you can do it again?"

I nod, but my confidence starts to waver. My hands feel sweaty as I take the third ball. I glance at Scott, who gives me an encouraging smile.

"Here goes nothing," I mumble, aiming carefully. I throw the ball, but it veers off course, bouncing off the rim of the cup and landing on the floor.

"Ah, so close!" Blair groans dramatically, while Bob bursts out laughing.

Scott smirks, shaking his head. "Looks like your streak’s over," he says, his tone playful.

"And now you drink," Blair announces, already handing me the cup.

I stare at the cup, the liquid inside a murky mix of who-knows-what. My stomach flips as I lift it hesitantly.

"Don’t worry," Scott says,"It’s not that bad."

I take a small sip, immediately regretting it. The taste is bitter, sharp, and burns all the way down. I cough, earning a round of laughter from everyone.

"Not that bad, huh?" I glare at Scott, but he just grins, clearly amused.

"Welcome to the game," he says, handing me another ball. "Ready for round two?"

●●●

I play for who knows how long, consuming a variety of drinks—luckily, none are as bad as I feared. Eventually, we stop playing beer pong, and the guys head to the dance floor.

"Sophia, join us!" Blair calls, trying to drag me into the crowd, but I quickly shake my head.

"I'm good. I think my head’s already aching from the drinking," I say, wincing for effect.

Blair pouts dramatically. "Oh, you poor virgin." She throws her arms around me, pulling me into a hug. The sharp scent of alcohol hits me hard—she’s completely drunk.

Yep, she’s gone.

"Don’t worry," she says, patting my back like a consoling mother. "Next time, I’ll teach you all my ways. Before you know it, you’ll be a drinking slut like me!" She grins widely before staggering toward the crowd, shouting something unintelligible.

"Don’t listen to anything she says," Alex cuts in, shaking her head. "She’s even worse when we hit an actual club."

"You’ve been to an actual club?" I ask, my voice tinged with disbelief. Seriously, what am I missing out on?

Alex chuckles as she places her empty plastic cup on the table. "That’s a long story, but I’ll tell you later. Right now, I feel like dancing. Want to join?"

I shake my head again.

She nods and makes her way toward Blair. Within seconds, they’re dancing together, their moves as ridiculous as they are hilarious.

I laugh at their antics, only to notice a hand holding out a plastic cup in front of me.

"Want a drink?"

Looking up, I find Scott standing there, grinning. I nod and take the cup from him.

"You want to go somewhere quieter?" he asks, gesturing toward the side of the house. "There’s a spot that’s a bit calmer."

Panic flares in my chest. Is... is he trying to make a move?

"Oh, um… sure," I say, getting up from my chair. He smiles and starts walking beside me.

We weave through the party until we step outside. The cool night air hits me, and the pounding bass of the music fades into the background, leaving us in a peaceful bubble.

"So…" He sits down on a nearby bench, patting the spot next to him.

"Yeah, so…" My nerves spike as a chill breeze sweeps past. Oh god. What am I supposed to do next? How do people flirt?

"Are you gonna sit down?" he asks, giving the bench another pat.

With a deep breath and a silent prayer to the universe, I sit beside him.

"How are you liking the party so far?" he asks, slipping his hands into his pockets.

I shrug, trying to act nonchalant. "It’s… okay, I guess."

"You guess?"

I lick my lips, suddenly aware of how dry they feel. "I don’t really go to parties."

"Oh," he says, nodding like that explains everything. "You’re not into the noise, huh? Not everyone is."

I shake my head, my fingers fidgeting nervously in my lap. This is the longest I’ve ever been alone with him. Normally, Stephanie would have swooped in by now.

"This is actually my first party," I admit.

"Like, ever?"

I nod, feeling my cheeks heat.

"Whoa," he says, looking genuinely surprised before chuckling softly. "So that’s why I heard Blair shouting about you being an ‘alcohol-virgin.’"

That dumb word. Why does it even exist?

"Yep," I say, trying to play it cool. "It’s also my first time drinking."

"So many firsts," he muses, his gaze dipping briefly to my lips.

My breath hitches when he asks, "Have you had your first kiss yet?"

I freeze, my heart suddenly racing.

Have I had my first kiss?

"Uh..." My voice comes out shaky, and I immediately curse myself for it. Why does he have to ask me this now?

I try to swallow the lump in my throat, my mind spinning as Scott watches me closely, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"I… no" I finally admit. "I haven't."

His expression softens, just for a moment, like he's processing what that means.

"Huh," he murmurs, leaning back slightly on the bench. "I guess that makes you even more intriguing."

My chest tightens at the way he says it. It's not just the words, but the way he looks at me—like I’m a puzzle he’s dying to solve.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asks, his voice suddenly serious. "I mean, the party and everything, it’s a lot for someone who's never been to one."

I glance at him, surprised by his concern. He seems to genuinely care about how I’m feeling.

"Yeah, I’m fine," I say quickly, giving him a small smile to prove it. "Just not used to all this."

Scott nods thoughtfully. "It’s definitely an experience. But hey, you’ve got a good night ahead of you. Just remember, it’s about having fun, not fitting in."

I chuckle nervously. "That’s easier said than done."

"True," he says, flashing me a grin. "But trust me, you're doing great. You just gotta enjoy yourself."

I nod slowly, still feeling the weight of his words. I’m not sure what’s happening between us, but there’s something in the way he looks at me, something that makes my heart flutter in my chest.

For a moment, everything else seems to fade away. The loud music, the chaotic party behind us—it’s just the two of us in this quiet corner, the space between us shrinking with every passing second.

"You know," he starts again, his voice lower now, almost as if he’s choosing his words carefully, "we could always skip out for a bit. Get away from all this noise."

I blink, unsure if I heard him right. "What do you mean?"

Am I thinking what I think he's saying?

Scott leans in slightly, his face inching closer to mine. "I mean, if you’re up for it, we could go somewhere a little more private. Just to talk. No pressure."

I feel my breath catch in my throat as his words sink in. Is he—?

Before I can answer, the sound of footsteps interrupts our moment, and I glance up to see a familiar face approaching us.

"Scott!" Bob's voice rings out, carefree and loud. “Oh shit—sorry, man, didn’t know you were busy." He quickly apologizes, his eyes flicking to the awkward position we’re in.

Scott pulls back, and I almost whine at the sudden distance between us. "Yeah," he says, his voice more guarded now. "Did you need something?" He glares at Bob, irritation flickering in his expression.

Bob shakes his head. "Nah, just wanted to tell you that Stephanie’s looking for you."

Fuck. She actually showed up.

Scott clears his throat, suddenly looking uncomfortable. "Oh," he mutters. "Tell her I’m coming."

Bob nods and glances at me before turning away, but for a split second, I swear I see him shake his head. The gesture stings, and my chest tightens.

Scott stands up, the spark I saw in his eyes earlier now gone. He looks at me, his expression unreadable. "We should head back."

"What?" I stand up, confusion hitting hard.

"Yeah, the guys are waiting for us."

Not the guys. Stephanie is waiting for you.

The thought bites harder than I expected, and I almost crumble inside, but I manage to keep my face casual. "I’m coming. You should go."

Disappointment hits me like a wave as he nods, giving me a small, almost apologetic smile before turning to head back toward the crowd.

I watch him walk away, feeling the space between us grow with every step he takes. It doesn’t take long before I see her—Stephanie—looking even more beautiful than usual, her hands wrapping around his neck as she pulls him into a kiss. He doesn’t pull away; in fact, he deepens the kiss, and my stomach drops.

I’m so stupid.

Why did I ever think he was going to kiss me?

Tears threaten to spill, and I realize, in that moment, I need to leave before I make a fool of myself. I can’t stand to watch this anymore.

In the midst of trying to gather myself, I don’t notice the figure that appears beside me until it’s too late.

“Well, that was a shitty move.”

I recognize that voice instantly, and my stomach twists. I don’t want to see him right now, but my neck turns before I can stop it, and I meet his eyes.

Theo.

“Are you seriously thinking of crying?” His icy blue eyes bore into mine, noting the unshed tears that threaten to fall. "Cause if you do, I’m fucking beating that boy up."

Why Theo? Why does he have to be the one to see me like this?