CHAPTER THREE - THE PARTY AND THE WARNING
1656 Words
A week passed, and the rhythm of Harvey Mudd College settled into something familiar — classes, stares, whispers, and the never-ending attention that trailed Prince Liam Gustaf wherever he went.
He hated every second of it.
“Liam!”
The voice belonged to Elisa, her bright red hair gleaming under the sun as she hurried toward him with two of her friends. Behind her trailed Luna and Mia-Kay, both holding their phones, already recording the moment like it was newsworthy.
Liam sighed. “What now?”
Elisa smiled — too wide, too practiced. “We’re having a small party this Friday night. It’s off-campus, nothing serious. You should come.”
“I don’t do parties.”
“Oh, come on,” Luna whined. “Everyone’s going to be there. You’ll love it!”
“I doubt that.”
Elisa stepped closer, lowering her voice just enough to sound convincing. “Please, don’t refuse. Just one night. No cameras, no press, no titles. Just… normal fun.”
For a brief moment, Liam studied her — the persistence in her eyes, the way she tried to sound casual but clearly wanted something more. He almost felt amused.
Then, from across the courtyard, he spotted Jason.
Jason’s calm stride stood out among the crowd — composed, simple, nothing like the people around him. There was something grounding about him, and Liam, tired of the constant attention, found himself walking toward him.
“Excuse me,” Liam muttered, brushing past Elisa and her friends.
“Wait— Liam!” Elisa called after him, but he didn’t look back.
Jason grinned when Liam approached. “You just ditched half the college royalty club.”
“They’ll survive.” Liam smirked. “You go to parties too?”
Jason shrugged. “Sometimes. Depends on the crowd.”
Liam chuckled. “So not their type either, huh?”
“Not even close.”
That was the beginning of their quiet friendship — built not on fame or flattery, but on shared disinterest in the noise around them.
They sat on the grass by the edge of the campus, watching the sunset bleed into the horizon. Jason talked about California — the beaches, the freedom, the way people didn’t care who you were. Liam listened more than he spoke, which was rare for him.
For the first time in months, he felt… normal.
⸻
That evening, Lucia came over to Liam’s apartment. She looked restless, pacing around the room while Liam poured himself a drink.
“You look uneasy,” Liam said, glancing up.
Lucia sighed. “Can I stay here for this night ? My roommate’s boyfriend came over, and I really need some space. I will leave as they're done”
Liam raised an eyebrow. “And this is the best place you could think of?”
She smiled faintly. “You’re the only person I know who won’t talk too much.”
He stared at her for a moment, then nodded. “Fine. Just don’t make yourself too comfortable.”
“I’ll try,” she teased softly.
Lucia walked toward the window, gazing out at the lights. “You don’t go out much, do you?”
“Never saw the point.”
“You might change your mind tonight. I heard Elisa invited you.”
He scoffed. “She’s wasting her time.”
Lucia turned back, her tone playful. “You really don’t see it, do you? Half the girls here would give anything just to talk to you.”
“Let them keep their fantasies.”
She moved closer. “And what about me?”
Liam’s gaze flicked up — calm, unreadable. “You?”
“Maybe I’m one of them.”
He didn’t answer. He just watched her — the slight tremble in her lips, the nervous defiance in her eyes.
Lucia’s heart pounded. “You don’t have to keep pretending, Liam. I know there’s something in you that wants to feel… alive.”
“Lucia—”
“Just tell me to stop,” she whispered.
But he didn’t.
Her lips found his. This time, there was no hesitation — just a slow burn that neither of them could fight. It was wrong, impulsive, but the silence that followed made it impossible to step away.
When they finally parted, Lucia’s breathing was uneven. She looked at him, searching for regret.
Liam stood still, his heartbeat heavy against the quiet. “You should rest,” he said finally.
She swallowed. “That’s all?”
He turned away. “You knew what this was.”
Lucia’s smile faded, but she nodded slowly. “Then I guess I do.”
Moments later, he left for the party, his car pulling into the night. The air outside was cool, but inside, he felt something far heavier — guilt, confusion, maybe both.
At the back of his mind, Lucia’s voice echoed: You don’t have to pretend.
But pretending was all Liam Gustaf had ever known.
At night.
Music thumped through the crowded house, bass lines vibrating against the walls as colored lights flashed across a sea of half-drunk students. The air smelled like smoke, perfume, and something sharp — freedom, maybe.
Liam stepped inside first, his expression unreadable. Jason trailed a few steps behind, his usual calm posture earning a few curious stares.
The moment Elisa saw them, her smile froze.
Jason?
Her friends — Luna and Skye — exchanged quick glances before whispering something under their breath.
Elisa forced a sweet smile, though her tone wavered. “Liam! You actually came.”
Liam gave a slight nod. “Didn’t want to be rude after you begged so much.”
Her laugh was light but tight. “Of course. But… you brought company?”
Liam glanced at Jason, then back at her. “Yeah. He’s my friend.”
The girls’ faces shifted. Luna’s brow arched, Skye’s lips pursed. They whispered again, something about “bad timing,” before walking off with fake smiles plastered on.
Jason caught the exchange but said nothing. Instead, he shoved his hands in his pockets and muttered, “Didn’t know your crowd was allergic to my face.”
Liam smirked. “They’ll live.”
They both moved through the crowd until they found the bar. A tired-looking bartender glanced up — and froze when he recognized Liam.
“Your Highness— I mean— sir.”
Liam sighed. “Just Liam.”
“Of course, sir.”
Jason chuckled quietly. “You get that everywhere?”
“Unfortunately.”
They both ordered a drink — something strong enough to make the noise fade a little. Jason leaned against the counter, swirling his glass as he scanned the party.
“Not really your scene, huh?” Jason asked.
“Not even close,” Liam replied. “But you’re here, so I guess it’s tolerable.”
Jason smirked, clinking his glass lightly against Liam’s. “To tolerable nights, then.”
Liam actually laughed — a quiet, genuine one — the first in days.
Then Elisa appeared.
She glided over with that same confident smile, hips swaying, perfume filling the space before her voice did. “There you are, Liam. I thought you vanished.”
Liam turned slightly, his expression polite. “Just grabbing a drink.”
Her gaze flicked briefly to Jason — and something sharp passed through it. Not anger, not surprise — something personal.
Jason’s jaw tightened. He muttered something under his breath, then drained his glass in one gulp.
“I’ll let you two talk,” he said curtly, setting his drink down.
Liam frowned. “Jason—”
But he was already walking away.
Elisa’s eyes followed him until he disappeared into the crowd. “I see you’ve made interesting friends.”
Liam turned his full attention to her now. “Meaning?”
She smiled, leaning closer. “Just… be careful. Not everyone around you is who they seem.”
His tone darkened. “If you’re talking about Jason, say it clearly.”
She hesitated, but the mask never dropped. “I’m just saying… people like him have a way of dragging others down.”
Liam’s stare hardened. “People like him?”
Elisa’s voice softened, but her words didn’t. “The ones who pretend to be loyal until they take something — or someone — that isn’t theirs.”
Something in her tone made Liam’s stomach tighten. “What did he take from you?”
Elisa froze, caught off guard. “That’s not the point.”
“It is to me.”
For a moment, she faltered, the charming façade cracking. Then she forced a laugh, brushing it off. “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Liam stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I don’t like games, Elisa.”
She met his gaze, half-smiling, half-wounded. “Then maybe you shouldn’t be friends with someone who plays them best.”
He didn’t respond. He just turned away, the sound of his shoes drowned by the music.
Outside, the air was cool and still. The muffled thump of the party faded as he stepped onto the porch, scanning the quiet street. Jason sat on the low fence, staring at the sky, the faint glow of streetlights brushing his face.
Liam approached, hands in his pockets. “You left fast.”
Jason smirked without looking at him. “Didn’t want to ruin your moment.”
“There was no moment.”
Jason finally turned to him, eyebrow raised. “Elisa thinks there was.”
“She also thinks you’re trouble.”
Jason’s jaw twitched — the only sign of irritation. “Figures.”
“You two know each other?”
Jason hesitated, then exhaled. “Yeah. We used to. Not anymore.”
Liam studied him quietly. “She said you took something from her.”
Jason forced a smile. “ i don't know what to say”.
Liam: you want to go somewhere quiet?
Jason nodded instantly
- Writer
