Sofia Pov
The party is already in full swing by the time we arrive. It’s barely been an hour, yet half the students are already dead drunk, screaming and cheering as they chug from the refill tap.
Music thumps through the walls like a second heartbeat. Lights spill from the building, painting the sidewalk in waves of color. Students crowd the front lawn—laughing, dancing, yelling over each other. The air reeks of perfume, sweat, and cheap alcohol.
I should feel excited.
Instead, I kind of wish I stayed home.
Mia, of course, is glowing. Her red dress clings like it was stitched to her skin. Kiera looks fierce in all black. And me? I feel exposed—even though I’m not showing any more skin than usual.
There’s just... something in the air tonight.
“Don’t chicken out,” Mia whispers, tugg
