The club was suffocating. Heat, bodies, noise—it pressed in on Eli from all sides. He hadn’t wanted to come. But Jason and Noah had dragged him out, promising that tonight would be worth it.

“She’s different,” Jason had said, leaning in close so Eli could hear him over the music. “Not just hot—she’s got this… I don’t know, this presence.”

Noah smirked. “She’ll ruin your life in the best way.”

Eli had just rolled his eyes, sipping his soda. And then she walked on stage.

His heart stopped.

She was stunning. No,she was intoxicating.

Her dark hair was pulled into a messy bun, stray strands framing her sharp, striking features. The heavy makeup, the dark lips, the piercing gaze—she looked untouchable. Dangerous. The kind of beautiful that burned. Black and gray tattoos wound their way down her arms, crawling over her collarbones, disappearing beneath the thin straps of her black top. Each design was intricate, deliberate, like pieces of her soul inked into her skin.

Then she began to sing.

"Won't call me by name, only 'baby'
The more that you give, the less that I need…"

Eli forgot how to breathe.

Her voice was raw, smoky, dripping with longing. It sent chills up his spine, curling around his ribs like a vice. He had never heard something so haunting, so devastatingly beautiful. And then—

She looked at him.
Her gaze locked onto his, unwavering, like she was singing just for him. It wasn’t a passing glance.

"I know that you're wrong for me Gonna wish we never met on the day I leave I brought you down to your knees 'Cause they say that misery loves company It's not your fault I ruin everything And it's not your fault I can't be what you need Baby, angels like you can't fly down hell with me"

Eli felt his knees go weak.
God, he was gone. He swallowed hard, gripping his drink like it was the only thing keeping him upright. Jason nudged him. “Dude.” But Eli couldn’t respond. Because in that moment, he knew—he was in love.

And he was absolutely, completely doomed.