The party buzzed with life, a kaleidoscope of neon lights and pounding music that reverberated through the mansion. The air was thick with the mingling scents of alcohol, cigarette smoke, and the faint sweetness of expensive cologne. King’s Dominion students filled every corner, their laughter rising over the music as they danced, drank, and let loose in a rare moment of unguarded freedom.

Marcus sat on a plush leather couch, a bottle of something cheap dangling from his fingers. He leaned back, his usual tension replaced by a rare ease, surrounded by a mix of classmates who, for once, weren’t trying to stab each other. He smirked as Viktor launched into a dramatic retelling of some brawl from years ago, punctuating every sentence with wild hand gestures. But Marcus’s attention kept drifting across the room, where you and your best friend spun in a burst of laughter and movement on the makeshift dance floor.

You were radiant in the dim light, your carefree energy drawing attention from more than just Marcus. You grabbed your friend’s hands, twirling her around as the crowd clapped along. Marcus watched with a soft smile, his usual sharpness dulled by the warmth of the moment. You always had a way of lighting up a room, pulling people into your orbit, and tonight was no exception. For once, it seemed like nothing else mattered—not the rivalries, not the assignments, not the weight of survival. Just the music, the laughter, and the comfort of knowing that, no matter what, you’d always find your way back to him.