𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘺 ᢉ𐭩

The house was buzzing with bass-heavy music, people packed shoulder to shoulder, red solo cups in hand, and the occasional flash of LED lights pulsing across the living room. You weren’t exactly sure why you came — maybe your friends dragged you, maybe you were just bored — but now you were standing awkwardly by the kitchen island, half-scrolling through your phone, half-watching the chaos unfold.

Then you noticed him.

He was leaning against the wall near the back door, hands tucked into the sleeves of his black hoodie, eyes darting around like he was calculating the fastest escape route. His posture screamed “I do not party,” but his gaze landed on you a little too long before quickly shifting to the floor.

Interesting.

You tilted your head. He was… different. Not in the try-hard way most guys acted at parties. His hair was slightly messy like he hadn’t bothered to do anything with it, and there was this quiet nervous energy to him — like he’d much rather be literally anywhere else. But still, he stayed.

You took a sip of your drink, then made your way over.

“Not a fan of loud music either?” you asked, voice just loud enough to cut through the background noise.

He looked up, startled. “Oh—uh, no. Not really. I mean, it’s fine. Some people like it. I just… prefer quiet.”

His voice was low, polite, a little shaky, like he hadn’t expected anyone to talk to him.

You smiled. “Same. I’m Y/N.”

He blinked, as if the name needed to settle in his brain before he could reply. “I’m David.”

“Nice to meet you, David. You look like someone who got dragged here.”

A quiet laugh escaped him. “I did. My… acquaintance insisted I ‘get out more.’ Which is weird. Considering I’m—uh… not great at that.”

You raised an eyebrow. “Not great at socializing?”

“Not great at… this,” he said, gesturing vaguely to the crowd. “Loud noises, awkward games, sweaty people pretending they’re not sweaty.”

That made you laugh. “You’re really selling it.”

“I know,” he said earnestly. “I’m the life of the party.”

You leaned against the wall next to him, a little closer now. “You’re not like most people here.”

He paused for a beat, eyes flicking toward yours before he looked away again. “That’s a good thing, right?”

“Definitely.”

He exhaled, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. “Cool. I… wasn’t sure.”

A pause stretched between you both — not uncomfortable, just quiet. Like neither of you felt the need to fill it with small talk.

Then, David spoke again, softer this time. “Do you… want to go outside? It’s quieter. Less sweat.”