Chapter Five: The Party
749 Words
Maya
I spent the entire weekend trying not to think about Ethan.
It didn't work.
Every time I opened my notebook, I remembered him sitting across from me in the library.
Every time my phone buzzed, I wondered if it was him.
And every time I thought about Chloe, an uncomfortable feeling settled in my chest.
By Monday morning, I was tired of myself.
“You're coming to the party.”
I looked up from my laptop.
Sofia stood in our dorm room with her arms crossed.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“I have an assignment.”
“You finished it yesterday.”
“I could study.”
“You studied all weekend.”
“I could sleep.”
“You slept eight hours.”
I sighed.
“You've clearly planned this.”
“Of course I have.”
She tossed a black dress onto my bed.
“Put this on.”
I stared at it.
“Sofia.”
“Please?”
I knew that voice.
She only used it when she had already decided the answer for me.
“Fine.”
Her face lit up.
“That's my girl.”
Two hours later, we arrived at the party.
Music filled the house, students crowded every room, and laughter echoed through the hallway.
I immediately regretted coming.
“This is a mistake,” I whispered.
Sofia grabbed my hand.
“Relax. We're here to have fun.”
“I don't know anyone.”
“You know me.”
“That doesn't help.”
She laughed.
We moved into the living room.
I was reaching for a drink when I heard a familiar voice.
“Maya?”
I turned.
Ethan stood behind me.
He was wearing a simple black shirt, his sleeves rolled up.
For a second, I forgot how to speak.
His eyes moved over me, and his expression softened.
“You came.”
I recovered quickly.
“Apparently.”
He smiled.
“You look nice.”
“Thanks.”
“You're welcome.”
Sofia suddenly disappeared.
Again.
I was beginning to suspect she had a secret agreement with the universe.
Ethan stepped closer.
“Can I get you something?”
“No, I'm fine.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
Then someone called his name.
A group of his friends waved him over.
He looked at them, then back at me.
“I'll be back.”
I nodded.
“Okay.”
I watched him walk away.
Then I noticed Chloe standing across the room.
She was watching us.
Her expression made my stomach twist.
She walked toward me.
“So,” she said, “you and Ethan are getting close.”
I kept my voice calm.
“We're friends.”
“Friends.”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“That's what he calls it too.”
I didn't like where this was going.
“What do you mean?”
“Ethan gets bored easily.”
My eyebrows drew together.
“I'm not sure what you're trying to say.”
“I'm warning you.”
She stepped closer.
“Don't confuse his attention with love.”
I stared at her.
Before I could respond, Ethan appeared.
“Chloe.”
She turned.
“We were just talking.”
“I can see that.”
His voice was colder than I'd ever heard it.
Chloe smiled.
“See you around, Ethan.”
She walked away.
I looked at him.
“What was that?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
“That's not an answer.”
He sighed.
“Chloe doesn't like losing.”
“And what exactly did she lose?”
His eyes met mine.
“Me.”
My heart beat faster.
He took one step closer.
“Maya, there's something I need to tell you.”
“What?”
He opened his mouth.
Then stopped.
Someone suddenly pushed through the crowd, knocking into me.
I stumbled.
Ethan caught my hand before I fell.
For a moment, everything around us seemed to disappear.
His fingers were wrapped around mine.
His eyes were fixed on me.
Neither of us moved.
Then he whispered,
“I don't think I want us to be just friends anymore.”
My breath caught.
And before I could answer, the music suddenly stopped.
Everyone turned toward the staircase.
A voice called out from above.
“Ethan!”
He looked up.
His expression changed instantly.
And I knew, whatever he had been hiding...
I was about to find out.
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