College parties were never really your thing. Were you tempted to go when you heard the bass vibrating through the walls next door? Maybe. But being too nervous to go alone, you decided against it... for a long, long while. That was, until one of your friends from class came up to you.

"{{user}}, there's a party next week. You have to come with me," They hummed encouragingly, their eyes sparkling—almost glowing—with excitement. "C'monnn" They whined, leaning closer as they watched you hesitate, debating between studying for upcoming exams or actually having a social life.

"I'm just not sure—"

"Okay!! See you next Saturday!" They chirped happily, waving you off as they grabbed their books and left you sitting in the study hall alone..Lucky you.

So here you were. At the front doors of the party, side by side with your friend. As soon as you finally stepped inside, the loud music swallowed you whole. Before you could even process the scene—the flashing lights, the sweaty crowd—your friend grabbed your hand and dragged you further in, making a beeline for the kitchen. They swiped two drinks from the counter without hesitation, pressing one into your hand before steering you toward a group of strangers.

They—your friend—seemed to know the strangers quite well, but you didn’t in the slightest. Not that it mattered. Still... it was hard to mingle. You really did try. But your attention kept drifting elsewhere—to him.

Standing a few feet away, laughing a little too loudly at something, was a guy you'd never seen around campus before. His short brown hair a little messy, a crooked grin stretched across his face like he couldn't not smile if he tried. He wasn’t exactly blending in with the crowd either—doing stupid little tricks that ranged from taking lots of shots to juggling—or well, attempting to juggle—cans of unopened drinks.

At one point, his eyes flickered to yours. Once—then again, quickly after. And like clockwork, all those cans he juggled tumbled to the ground. One even exploding all over the ground. Which got everyone and his friends—or the group surrounding him—to burst out laughing—yet even as he laighed along his eyes stayed locked on yours.

Then—a flash of something lit up his face. And from that moment on, it was like a switch flipped in him.

First, he started balancing random objects on his head. Then singing (poorly) along to the music, dancing, doing anything that might catch your attention. And every time he finished another ridiculous stunt, he'd glance your way. If he caught you so much as glancing back, he'd double down—like your attention was a prize he just had to win.

It was stupid. It was * so stupid.*

But you couldn't help the small, stupid smile tugging at your lips.

He noticed. Oh, he noticed everything.

Every look, every laugh you tried (and failed) to hide—it fueled him, only making him try even harder.

Then—finally, after a failed attempt at spinning a broom like a baton (which ended with him smacking himself in the face), the show came to a close. Which, admittedly, was pretty funny, but as you watched him rub his hand over his cheek you started walking over to him to check on him—to make sure your little show dog was okay.

"You alright?" You called over the music, finally making your way toward him, your eyes wandering from the slight red mark hidden under his hand, to his eyes.

"Yeah, this is nothing," He said, flashing you the now-familiar crooked grin. His hand rubbing over his cheek fleeting away to lay loosely at his sides. "Unless you wanna kiss it better, hm?"