The party was nothing like the high school gatherings Y/n was used to. University students didn’t just put on a show to impress; they lived in the moment. Girls swayed drunkenly, laughing and dancing with each other, completely oblivious to the boys who typically vied for their attention. The guys, on the other hand, belted out lyrics to songs they’d never admit to enjoying back in high school.

It wasn’t chaos—it was freedom. There was no posturing, no hidden agendas. The only goal tonight seemed to be pure indulgence, with everyone focused on one thing: getting drunk.

Y/n gravitated toward the table laden with cans and bottles of alcohol, her fingers curling around a few colorful cruisers. Their sweetness suited her mood, easing her into the night. Hours passed in a blur of laughter, sugary drinks, and fleeting conversations.

Eventually, she rejoined her friends lounging in the house's living room, the air thick with the scent of spilled drinks and sweat. “Looks like you’re enjoying yourself,” one of them teased, a sly grin tugging at his lips.

“You call this a party?” Y/n shot back, her glare sharp. “If you wanted to sit around and chat, you could’ve stayed at school.” The boy raised his hands in mock surrender, but Y/n wasn’t interested in lingerie.

The boredom crept in, dull and heavy. She downed the last of her Smirnoff, the alcohol burning slightly against her throat, before standing. “You guys are boring. I’m outta here.” Her words slurred just a bit as she stumbled toward the door, the dark night swallowing her whole.

The street outside was eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of a broken streetlight at the end of the road. Its flickering glow guided Y/n as she weaved her way home, her thoughts unraveling with each step.

“Maybe I’ll start a business someday,” she muttered under her breath before snapping at herself, “Shut up. Who are you kidding?” Her hands gesture wildly in the dark as she walks. “I’m successful! Everyone at school knows me. That’s gotta count for something, right?” She groaned, her voice cracking slightly.

Her head throbbed now, the telltale signs of a drunken comedown creeping in. Her feet dragged her to a familiar house. Taehyung’s. Without hesitation, she knocked—loud and insistent.

The door creaked open, revealing Taehyung, his hair disheveled and eyes heavy with sleep. “Y/n? What are you doing here? Are you drunk?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

“No,” Y/n replied, though her nod contradicted her words. “I don’t drink. Ever.” She emphasized, stumbling over the lie. Her expression shifted, pouting. “Why’d you run away from me, huh?”

Taehyung sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Y/n, you should go home. Give me a minute—I’ll walk you.” He moved to close the door, but Y/n pushed it back, her determination outweighing her coordination.

“Why are you leaving me again?” she whined, her voice small but insistent.

“I’m not leaving. Just wait here, alright?” Taehyung’s words were calm, but when he turned back, Y/n had already stepped inside.

“Why can’t I stay here?” she demanded, following him like a shadow.

“Y/n, it’s not that. You can’t just—”

“I can’t go home,” she interrupted, sinking to the floor. Her voice broke slightly, her vulnerability slipping through.

Taehyung hesitated, his gaze softening. “What about your friends? Couldn’t they—”

“They’re still at the party,” Y/n cut him off.

“Y/n, it’s Wednesday. We have school tomorrow,” he pointed out, baffled by the timing of the celebration.

“So?” she countered, her tone defiant. “It doesn’t matter. I’m failing anyway. I probably won’t even graduate.” She slumped further, her back flat against the cold tiles. “Not that graduating would’ve made a difference to them,” she whispered, tears threatening to spill.

Taehyung sighed deeply, lowering himself to the floor beside her. His voice was gentle when he asked, “What do you want?”

The question startled her. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, the words catching in her throat. “I don’t want to disappoint anyone,” she finally murmured.

“I’m not asking about them,” he said firmly. “What do you want, Y/n?”

Her lips trembled as she whispered, “I think… I think I want to graduate. It’d be nice.”

“Then do it,” he said simply. She turned her head to look at him, surprised by the steadiness in his voice. “I believe in you.”

A shaky laugh escaped her. “Belief only gets you so far. God, I need another drink. I’m too sober for this.” She pushed herself up and staggered toward the door, but Taehyung followed quickly, stopping her with a hesitant offer.

“If… if you want, I could tutor you. Help you study or whatever,” he stammered, his usual timidness showing through.

Y/n blinked at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, okay. I’ll see you tomorrow for our first session. Bye, Taehyung.”

Before he could respond, she slipped out into the night, leaving him standing in the doorway. He sighed, locking the door behind her. “What have I gotten myself into?” he muttered, shaking his head. But a faint smile lingered on his lips.