Chapter 13: The Party
419 Words
Campus parties weren’t my thing.
Too many strangers. Too much noise. Too much pretending.
But Luca said, “Come with me. I want people to see you with me.” And something about that made my heart skip.
So I went.
He picked me up on his bike, leather jacket brushing my arm, his cologne warm and familiar. As we pulled up to the party house, I felt the weight of eyes already watching us.
Luca didn’t care.
He walked in with his hand around mine like I was the only thing that mattered.
Inside, the music was loud, the air thick with sweat and perfume and beer. People stared. Some whispered. But most just moved aside.
Because Luca Donovan didn’t blend in. He owned every room he walked into.
And tonight, he made it clear: I was with him.
“You okay?” he asked, leaning close so only I could hear.
“Yeah,” I lied. “Just... new.”
He smiled and kissed my cheek. “Stick with me. I’ve got you.”
We ended up on the couch with a few of his friends—some I’d seen around, others I didn’t know. They were loud, sharp-tongued, drinking like they didn’t care about consequences.
I tried to keep up. I laughed when I didn’t get the joke. I sipped a drink I didn’t really like.
Then Aly showed up.
She walked in like a storm—long legs, tight dress, perfect smile—and made her way straight to us. To him.
My fingers stiffened around my cup.
She ignored me completely. “Didn’t expect to see you here,” she said to Luca, her voice smooth.
“Why not?” he replied coolly.
“Thought you were too busy playing house with your little girlfriend.”
The whole group went quiet.
Luca’s jaw flexed. “You need to leave.”
“Oh, relax,” she laughed. “I just wanted to say hi.”
Then, finally, she looked at me. “Enjoy him while it lasts.”
She walked away, leaving a silence that rang louder than the music.
I stood. “I need air.”
Luca followed me outside, concern all over his face. “Emma—”
“I’m fine,” I said, though I wasn’t.
He reached for me. “She’s nothing.”
“Then why does she still act like you’re hers?”
He didn’t answer.
Not right away.
And that silence cut deeper than anything Aly could have said.
- Writer
