Even on the driveway, I could hear the bassy music blasting from inside the house. My ears caught muted conversations and muffled laughs, slurred by alcohol. The thought of my classmates, whom I had spent four years going to school with, engaging in typical party activities made my stomach do a turn, and I suddenly wanted to turn around and go back to the car. Jimin looked at me from the corner of his eye. "Don't tell me you're considering turning back."

"Parties don't seem fun," I said, biting my lip. "I mean, all you do is drink or do drugs or have sex with someone who isn't really that attractive after all. I would rather just sleep or something."

"Tae, don't be like that. You've never been to a party, so how would you know?"

"Parties aren't really my thing," I said.

"Says the guy who's never been to one. Come on. If you really don't like it, you can leave."

Relieved by Jimin's reassurance, I continued on with him towards the front door of the house. As we approached the entrance, the smell of weed grew noticeably stronger, and I resisted the urge to cover my nose.

We entered the house, and a dizzying whirlwind of sights and sounds swirled around me. I caught sight of people I knew, drinking and making out and speaking too loud than was normal. The smell of pot pressed down on me, the putrid odor threatening to make me pass out. Around the room, I saw people smoking it, oblivious to the damage it would do to their lungs.

How had I been oblivious to what went on beneath the surface?

You're a homebody, I reminded myself. You despise large social gatherings.

It was true. I'd never gone to a high school party. For years, Jimin had tried unsuccessfully to drag me to one, but I'd always put my foot down. I don't see why people take pleasure in illegal activities, I'd said. And he'd shrugged and dropped the subject. I'd come just for him, but now, I regretted it.

"Tae," said Jimin, snapping me out of my stupor. "Do you want this?" He held a red plastic cup out to me, and I took it.

"What is it?"

"Rum and Coke."

"No thanks," I said.

Jimin shook his head. "Absolutely not. You are not going to be our designated driver tonight. We are calling an Uber." He shoved the cup toward me again. "Try it. Let loose a little." And then quieter, "It might help you get your mind off of what happened in those universes."

I took the cup from him and lifted it to my mouth without looking at the contents. "It doesn't taste horrible."

Jimin smiled at me. "See, you're already acclimating. I can't believe you've managed to miss out on this stuff. In Korea, we never had parties, so I'm taking advantage of my time here to partake in 'adult' activities."

"You're an adult, though."

"Just because I'm legally an adult doesn't mean I'm socially considered an adult." He sauntered over to the kitchen, where bottles crowded the counter. To my surprise, he poured himself a Coke, then returned to my side. "I'm driving today," he explained. "Come on. Let's go find some people."

In fear of losing Jimin, I followed him around the crowded house, trying not to look at the numerous couples sprawled on the couches, doing things that should not have been done on those sofas. We squeezed past a group of people playing what looked like beer pong, and stopped near the wall, away from the commotion. I watched as Jimin tapped on the shoulder of a tall, lithe man who was holding a conversation with someone. The man jumped, turning around. A dazzling smile graced his features, and I swore the room got brighter as he did. "Tae! What made you come here?"

"Jimin did." I laughed. "Hobi, what makes you think that I would go to a party by my own free will?"

"You have a point," said Hoseok. "How have you been doing, though?"

I took a shaky breath, my fingers tightening around the cup. "I just try not to think about it, mostly."

He looked sorry for me. "And right before prom, too. You can talk to me if you want to, you know."

"Thank you," I said. "Who did you come with?"

"Oh, I came with my girlfriend, but I don't know where she is right now. Anyway. Did the others not come?"

"I don't know. Jimin only invited me." I glanced around. "And speaking of Jimin, where is he?"

Hoseok looked over my head at the crowd of people dancing. Somehow, Jimin had slipped away without our noticing and joined them. "There he is. Look at him go."

"He's really good," I said, just to say something. "You both are really good at dancing," I added.

Hoseok smiled faintly, still looking at Jimin, who was now grinding on a girl I didn't know. He looked away. "I have to find my girlfriend now." He grasped my hands and shook them, grinning widely. "I hope I can see you more! I really miss you. The whole group should get together sometime."

"Yeah," I said, and I meant it. "Yeah, we should."

"Great," said Hoseok. "See you, Tae."

I watched him exit the room, leaving me alone with my drink. My hand went to my jeans pocket, absently touching my phone. Having nothing else to do, I scrolled through my social media. But I could barely catch a break--not long after, an obviously intoxicated girl ambled up to me with a drunken smile. "Heeeeey. Do you have a girlfriend? Or a boyfriend."

"No," I said, sipping my drink.

She pouted. "That's a pity. You're too pretty to not be dating anyone, you know."

"Thanks, man," I said.

"Could I--" She burped, and the smell of alcohol reached my nose. "Could I have your number?"

"Um," I said. But I didn't have to give the girl my number after all; another girl grasped her around her arm and dragged her away. Breathing a sigh of relief, I drained the rest of my drink, then went to throw the cup away.

Thankfully, the kitchen was empty. I got myself a cup of water, then leaned on the counter, breathing in the slightly-less-polluted air. While I'd never enjoyed parties, the interaction I'd just had solidified my dislike for them. My gaze flitted towards the door, and for a moment, I considered leaving.

But as I made my way towards the doorway, a girl came in, preoccupied with finishing her drink. I stepped aside, but not fast enough to avoid a collision with her.

"Sorry," she said quickly, eyes widening as she looked at me. Our eyes locked, and I registered her features: the slope of her jaw, the curve of her nose, the deep brown of her eyes. The same features, I realized, that had pulled me in, sent me plunging into the chasm of love.

"Oh," Maia stammered. "I'm--I--"

Faintly, I heard her say something, but I was already running away. I pushed the front door open and let it slam behind me, my heart pounding in my chest. The cool night air kissed my skin, providing a relief from the overwhelming sounds and smells of the party.

I sat down on the porch steps, feeling the concrete beneath my hands, and tried to regulate my breathing. Behind me, the front door opened, and I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Tae," said a voice. "Are you okay?"

I looked up to see Jimin, his brows furrowed with worry. "How did you find me?"

"Maia told me what happened."

I looked away, staring out at the road. A car turned onto the street, and I watched it drive along, its bright yellow headlights a stark contrast against the night. "What did she say?"

"She said you guys bumped into each other in the kitchen. You looked kind of distressed. And then you ran away."

I didn't reply.

"Tae," Jimin said quietly, sitting down next to me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Are you alright?"

I relaxed into his embrace, not caring if anyone saw us anymore. "I'm not ready to see her. This universe's Maia, I mean. It just brings back so much. I just wish--I just wish that day never happened."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know she'd be here. I wouldn't have invited you if I'd known."

"It's not your fault." I swallowed. "I want to go home."

"Sure," he said. "I'll drive us home. Do you have all your stuff?"

"No," I said quickly. "You can stay here if you want to. You don't have to go home with me."

He shook his head. "We came together, so we go home together. I already said goodbye to Hoseok for us." He stood, offering a hand to help me up. "Come on. Let's go."

a/n: school is cancelled in my state until april 6 (technically april 13 bc spring break) which is problematic because i have a lot of stuff going on this month. it's funny how one virus can upturn the lives of so many, not just physically but financially as well. but please wash your hands, avoid touching your face, sneeze/cough into your elbow, stay home when ur sick, all that stuff. please

i guess my classes will be online now and idk how i feel about that. ngl i'm rlly worried because a lot of extracurriculars at my school are cancelled/postponed and thats not good

the whole covid 19 thing just feels like a simulation bc nothing like this has ever happened in my lifetime (i guess maybe sars but i wasn't old enough to remember it)