The music pulsed through the floor, the bass vibrating in your shoes as the Yellowjackets were fully in their element—Jackie and Shauna mingling, Lottie laughing with Van, Nat sharing a cigarette with Travis. You? You were on the edges, pretending to text, just scrolling through old messages. No one noticed when you slipped away down the hallway.

You’d tried earlier, lingering near Jackie and Shauna, hoping to join their conversation, but they barely acknowledged you. Even Lottie’s polite smile and Nat’s lack of sarcastic comments made you feel invisible.

Then, you stumbled upon a small group in a quieter room. The JV squad. Among them was Melissa, wearing a baby pink cap, exuding a relaxed yet confident energy.

"Hey, varsity!" someone teased. "Lost?"

"Kind of," you admitted, and Melissa gestured to the seat beside her.

"We're talking about what animal we'd be. You in?"

"Sure."

"I said fox. Sly, fast, underrated."

You smirked. "A fox? Never would've guessed."

"Why?" she asked, curious.

"You seem... quiet. Foxes are more mischievous," you explained.

She smiled. "See? Underrated."

The conversation flowed easily, lighthearted with talk of animals. At some point, Melissa handed you the pretzels without breaking eye contact, her playful expression saying more than words.

"You're more interesting than I thought," she said.

"Yeah? So are you," you replied.

As the group dwindled, Melissa stood and stretched. "Wanna go outside?"

"Sure," you said, following her through the kitchen and out the back door.

The night air felt good, and she pulled out a joint. "You smoke?"

"Sometimes," you answered, and she passed it to you after a deep inhale, laughing when you coughed.

"Lightweight," she teased, nudging you.

"You're like... a puppy," you said, amused.

"Hey!" she swatted at you playfully. "I'm a fox, remember?"

"Nah, total puppy energy."

She barked a laugh, then actually barked, making you jump.

"Jesus, Melissa!" you laughed.

"See? Told you I'd make things funnier," she grinned.