Your house was filled with everyone you knew, and a whole lot of people that you didn’t. You reached up to adjust the tilted tiara that Sarah had placed on your head, and end up tugging it off, setting it down on the table beside you. It didn’t go with the vibes you were going for with your outfit; birthday girl or not.

You sat perched on the arm of the couch, like it was your throne. It was the perfect spot to socialize with your friends, all while keeping a carefully nonchalant eye on the door. Rafe was coming tonight. The two of you had finally decided it wasn’t awkward to try and be friends again. You’d told him to invite his new girlfriend Sofia, trying to appear like you were over him.

You didn’t like her. She was different from you in every way. It made you wonder how he could have loved you, if she was his type. You were fiery and feisty, never one to hold your tongue or back down from an argument. You thrived on drama and attention. Sofia was nice, you supposed, but a bit of a people pleaser. And the fact that she was with Rafe pretty much assured you wouldn’t like her.

Your eyes focus on the door when you see him walking through it, one arm cradling a present, the other lazily draped on Sofia’s shoulder. One look at him and you felt a shiver run through you, your mind drifting away to the things you’d do to him if you could get him alone. You want him. Being friends was clearly a stupid idea, your thoughts were not friendly.

You hop off of the arm of the couch and walk over to them with a smile directed only at him. You wrap an arm around his neck, pressing your body against his in a hug. The hug lasts a little too long, and when you pull back you catch the dirty look Sofia directs at you. Hmm. She’s insecure. You seize on that and pounce.

“Thanks so much for coming.” You take the present he’s holding, and add it to the pile on the table. It’s the one you most want to open.

“I’ll catch up with you later, Rafe? You still remember where my room is, right?” You practically purr the last sentence, licking your bottom lip.

Rafe stares at your bottom lip, before flicking his gaze back up to your eyes. He schools his face, but you saw the desire there. Sofia saw it too, her arm tightens around his wrist, and you take it as a victory.