Emily's POV
The music was already thumping in the background as we pulled into the driveway of the mansion where the party was being held.
It looked like a scene out of a teen movie, red cups, string lights, the loud beat of bass pulsing through the walls.
Amanda had been talking non-stop since we left home, trying to convince me not to back out of going to the party.
“Emily, please, just give it a chance. It’s just a party,” she said for what had to be the hundredth time. “You might even have fun.”
“I’m only coming because I’ve been bored out of my mind,” I muttered, fixing the hem of my dress and pretending not to care.
She rolled her eyes dramatically. “Whatever you need to tell yourself. Besides, Sebastian isn't coming so you have nothing to worry about.”
Sebastian was the least of my problems.
I clenched my jaw, looking out the window instead of responding. I couldn’t deny it.
Ever since the cold shoulder Adam gave me yesterday at the field, I hadn’t been able to get him off my mind. And then last night, he asked me why I kissed another boy.
One minute he was in my bed, whispering things into my skin like I meant the world to him. And the next, he was acting like we didn’t know each other.
I hated the fact that I cared so much. But I did.
The car stopped and we climbed out. The house was packed, buzzing with people from both our schools.
That was to be expected, our schools did everything together, especially events like this. My stomach twisted. There was a high chance I’d run into him.
Amanda grabbed my hand. “You look amazing. Seriously. If Dylan doesn’t fall at your feet tonight, he’s blind.”
I rolled my eyes at her and she laughed. She was messing with me. After last night, she called to ask me why I left without goodbye and I clearly told her I didn't like Dylan.
As we stepped into the house, I scanned the room out of instinct. I didn’t want to look eager, but my eyes were already searching.
And then, there he was, Adam, standing by the drinks table with a group of his friends.
His back was turned at first, but then he turned slightly, and I saw his face. My heart did that annoying flutter thing again.
I quickly turned my head and acted like I was mid-conversation with Amanda. I couldn’t let him see me looking.
“Should we get drinks?” Amanda asked.
“Yeah,” I said quickly, desperate to look busy. “Let’s go.”
We walked past the crowd, pushing through dancing bodies and drunken laughter. I could still feel Adam’s presence behind me. I didn’t dare look back.
Just as we reached the drinks table, a familiar voice shouted, “Hey! It’s Emily and Amanda!”
I turned and saw a few of my classmates waving us over. We joined them, grateful for the distraction. The music was loud, the energy electric, and for a moment, I actually started to loosen up.
Then someone shouted, “Let’s play spin the bottle!”
Of course. It had to be that kind of party.
A circle was already forming in the living room, and before I could protest, Amanda tugged me along. “Come on. We’re doing this.”
“No, I—”
“Too late,” she grinned, pulling me down into the circle. “It’s all in good fun.”
As we sat down, I realized Adam and his friends were being pulled in too. My heart jumped into my throat. He sat directly across from me, his expression unreadable. He didn’t even glance at me. Great.
The game started, and people were already giggling and kissing. It felt like high school all over again.
Brenda landed on a cute guy from Adam’s team and kissed him quickly, laughing when he gave her a wink.
Then it was my turn.
I spun the bottle, praying it wouldn’t land on Adam. It didn’t. It landed on Luca, my gay friend.
He grinned like he just won the lottery. “Well, well, lucky me.”
“Don’t push it,” I warned, giving him a tight smile.
He leaned in exaggeratedly slow and planted a chaste kiss on my cheek. The others hooted and cheered.
“You didn't have to do that, you know,” Adam suddenly muttered, making all eyes go to him
Luca smirked. “Why? It's not like Emily is your girlfriend.”
Adam glared at him. “Shut the hell up, Luca.”