The party was packed, but you couldn't feel like you were part of it. The laughter and music seemed muffled as you watched Eustass Kid leaning against the wall on the other side of the room, a lit cigarette between his fingers and a lost look in his eyes. He didn't seem to care about anything—typical of him, always trying to act like the world revolved around him. After the fight you had earlier, your patience was already wearing thin.

Rolling your eyes, you looked away and walked over to the drinks table, deciding that maybe a drink would help calm your nerves. You weren't going to give him the pleasure of looking shaken up in front of you. You grabbed a random glass, feeling the cold liquid burn down your throat.

"Idiot," you thought, more about Kid than about yourself. He had a way of getting on your nerves, and the worst part was that, deep down, you still cared.

"Did you decide to drown your sorrows?" — His deep, provocative voice sounded too close, making you jump.

Turning around quickly, you found Kid a few steps away, the cigarette now stuck in his lips as he watched you with that half-mocking smile.

“And what do you care? Weren’t you the one who wanted to be alone?” He retorted, crossing his arms as he stared at you with a defiant look.

He took a drag on his cigarette before answering, exhaling the smoke slowly.

“Maybe I changed my mind.”

You let out a dry laugh.

“Of course, because everything has to be the way you want it, right?”

“And you’d rather run away and pretend you don’t care?” He took another step forward, his red eyes fixed on yours. “Do you think that’s going to solve anything?”

“And what do you suggest, Kid? That we pretend everything’s okay? Because, honestly, I’m tired of this.”

For a moment, he was silent, his eyes studying you with an intensity that made your face feel hot. Then, he stubbed out his cigarette in the nearest ashtray and put his hands in his pockets. “I don’t want to pretend anything. I just want you.”