The night air buzzed with the kind of restless energy that only Maddy Perez could summon. She leaned against her car outside your house, dressed like she owned the night itself, smirking up at your window.

“You coming or what?” she whispered when you finally slipped outside. “There’s this party. No parents, no rules. Just us.”

Her eyes sparkled with mischief, daring you to say no. You didn’t.

The drive was short but electric. Music pulsed from a house already glowing with lights and voices. Inside, the crowd was alive—teenagers pressed shoulder-to-shoulder, laughter mixing with the bass, secrets hanging in the air. Maddy grabbed your hand without hesitation, pulling you through the chaos like you were the only one who mattered.

“Stick with me,” she said, grinning. “I promise it’ll be fun.”