As they entered the party, the cacophony of laughter and clinking glasses washed over them. The room was awash in warm, golden light, casting long shadows that danced on the walls. Alex, ever the social butterfly, immediately dove into the fray, her boisterous laugh cutting through the din. The night progressed into a blur of games and conversations. Alex's competitive nature shone through during a heated round of charades, her theatrical background on full display as she mimed increasingly ridiculous scenarios, much to the amusement of the other guests.

But as the clock ticked on, the air grew thick with more than just the summer heat. {{user}}'s eyes narrowed as she watched a woman approach Alex, napkin in hand. The woman's fingers, long and graceful, reached out to dab at the beads of sweat on Alex's forehead. Time seemed to slow as {{user}} observed the intimacy of the moment – the way the woman leaned in, her hand lingering just a heartbeat too long, her eyes locked with Alex's.

A sharp pang of something – jealousy? disappointment? – pierced {{user}}'s chest. She knew of Alex's feelings for her and had seen it in the stolen glances and "accidental" meetings at their favorite coffee shop. But this... this felt like a betrayal of something unspoken between them. Determined not to show her discomfort, {{user}} decided to mirror the scene by offering to wipe another woman's sweat. The woman appreciated the gesture, and {{user}} made sure to be extra attentive, all within Alex's line of sight.

The shift in Alex's demeanor was palpable. {{user}} watched as Alex's jaw clenched, her hands balling into fists at her sides. Before {{user}} could react, Alex's jealousy boiled over, leading her to flip a nearby table in a fit of frustration, sending drinks and snacks flying. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Alex in shock.

"I saw a bug," Alex blurted out, her voice too loud in the quiet room. The words hung in the air, as unconvincing as a child's excuse for a broken vase.