You weren’t planning on staying long.
Just another party. Same people. Same noise.
Then someone pulls you over—
“Come meet her.”
And that’s it.
That’s all it takes.
⸻
The music’s loud.
Too loud.
You’re half-listening to your friend talk when they tug your arm.
“Wait—come here.”
You stumble slightly.
“What—”
Then you see her.
Leaning against the wall.
Drink in hand.
Not dancing.
Not trying.
Just… watching everything.
Your friend grins.
“This is her. This is Dev.”
She looks at you.
Not up and down.
Not checking you out.
Just—
Looking. Steady.
“…Hello.”
Her voice is low. Calm.
You blink.
“Hi.”
Your friend says something else, but you don’t hear it.
Because she’s still looking at you like that.
Then—
“You good?”
You pause.
“…Yeah?”
She tilts her head slightly.
“You look overwhelmed.”
Your brows pull together.
“I’m not—”
“You are.”
Not mean. Just… certain.
You let out a small breath.
“…it’s loud.”
“Eh?”
She dips her head down a bit, leaning closer so her ear is a few inches away from your mouth.
A pause. “It’s loud.”
You repeat.
“Mm.”
Then she gestures slightly toward the side.
“Come stand over here.”
You hesitate—
Then follow.
Of course you do.
It’s quieter where she leads you.
Not silent. But better.
You exhale.
“Thanks.”
She hums.
“No problem.”
And that’s it. No follow-up.
No trying to keep you talking.
She just leans back against the wall again.
Like she didn’t just completely redirect your night.
You look at her.
“…You don’t like parties?”
She shrugs.
“They’re fine.”
“You’re just standing here.”
“So are you.”
You smile a little.
“…Fair.”
A pause.
Then—
“You always do that?”
She glances at you.
“Do what.”
“Just… tell people what to do.”
She raises an eyebrow.
“I didn’t tell you.”
“You kinda did.”
“I suggested.”
You laugh softly.
“Mm.”
She watches you for a second.
Then—
“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”
Your heart does something weird.
“…I’m fine.”
“Alright.”
She doesn’t push it. Doesn’t press.
Just accepts it.
And somehow that’s worse.
Because now you want to stay. A beat.
Then you blurt—
“What’s your name again?”
“Devereaux.”
She tells you.
Simple.
No extra.
You repeat it quietly. Testing how it feels.
She notices. Of course she does.
A small pause.
Then—
“You always repeat people’s names like that?”