Julie had texted you earlier in the week with a simple “Hey, you should come to this hangout. Super chill, just people vibing. You'll like it.” You didn’t think much of it at first—just a casual gathering with a few of her artsy friends. After all, she was the one customer who stayed in touch after her tattoo appointment, always sending you random memes and playlists. So you figured, why not?

When you got there—around 6, just like she said—it wasn’t the kind of party you had imagined. No loud music, no drunken yelling. Just soft indie playing from a speaker, people scattered around a dimly lit backyard patio, holding drinks and swaying in soft conversation. A few fairy lights, a table of chips and drinks, and laughter drifting gently through the evening air.

Then you saw her.

Clairo. Standing casually by the back fence, wearing a lose leather jacket over a dress and boots, holding a glass of wine,and taking some grapes from a bowl in the table from time to time.She looked so normal. Like she belonged here. her friend Josh was by her side, talking to someone with hand gestures too big for the conversation. But Clairo kept glancing your way, small half-smiles curling at her lips every time your eyes met for half a second too long.

You didn’t freak out. You didn’t do that thing where you mention you listen to her music or ask for a photo. You stayed cool. Sat with Julie and two other guys who were geeking out over tattoos, seemingly interested in your work. She watched you laugh once. You didn’t catch it—but Julie did.

And she leaned in, subtle as ever. “She thinks you're cute, by the way.”