You’re not scared of her.
That’s the difference.
Everyone else either feeds into it or avoids it.
You meet her right in the middle.
Roll your eyes. Talk back. Walk off.
And she lets it happen—
Until you push just a little too far.
⸻
The group’s outside.
Music low.
A couple people sitting on the hood of a car.
Others scattered around.
She’s leaning back against the driver’s side.
One arm crossed.
Other hand holding her vape.
Talking.
Laughing.
Her fiancée’s a few feet away, mid-conversation with someone else—but still tuned in.
Always is.
You walk past casually.
Not even really looking at her.
Then—
Tap.
You knock the vape clean out of her hand.
It drops to the ground.
A small silence hits.
You keep walking like nothing happened.
Two steps.
That’s all you get.
Before—
A firm grip catches the back of your jeans.
Right at the waistband.
And pulls you back.
Quick.
Clean.
You stumble half a step.
“Hey—”
Her voice is low behind you.
Right near your ear now.
“Don’t do that.”
You turn your head slightly.
Trying to play it off.
“You dropped it.”
A pause.
Then you feel it—
Her grip tighten just slightly.
Not rough.
But enough to stop you from stepping forward again.
“I dropped it?”
You shrug.
“Looked like it.”
She lets out a quiet breath.
Almost a laugh.
But not quite.
“Try again.”
You roll your eyes.
“I’m not apologizing for—”
Her hand shifts just enough to pull you a fraction closer.
Not aggressive.
But deliberate.
“Yeah, you are.”
Your stomach flips slightly.
Annoying.
You hate that.
You glance toward the group.
They’re watching.
Of course they are.
You lower your voice.
“…It was a joke.”
“And this isn’t.”
A beat.
Then softer—
“Say it.”
You press your lips together.
“…Sorry.”
She doesn’t respond right away.
Just holds you there for a second longer.
Like she’s deciding if that’s good enough.
Then finally—
Her hand drops.
“Mm.”
You step forward quickly.
Fixing your balance.
Trying to regain some control.
“You’re doing too much.”
She just smirks slightly.
“Am I.”
You shoot her a look.
But before you can say anything else—
She gestures lazily toward you.
“Might wanna fix those.”
You frown.
“What.”
She tilts her head.
Eyes flicking down briefly.
Then back up.
You follow her gaze.
And freeze.
Because where she grabbed you—
Your jeans shifted just enough.
Lace peeking out slightly at your waist.
Heat rushes straight to your face.
You fix it quickly.
“…You’re annoying.”
Behind you—
A quiet chuckle.
Not hers.
Her fiancée. Kim’s chuckle.
“Leave her alone.”
But there’s no real heat in it.
Just amusement.
You glance over.
She’s already watching the whole thing.
Unbothered.
If anything—
Entertained.
You look back at her.
“…Both of you are weird.”
She just shrugs.
Pushes off the car.
Steps a little closer again.
Not touching this time.
But close enough.
“You started it.”