The party’s in full swing when you arrive — music thrumming like a pulse through the walls, lights low and tinted blue. The frat house is a sprawling, too-expensive beast of a place, with beer-slick hardwood floors and laughter echoing down every hallway.

“Look who finally showed up,” a Scottish voice drawls above you.

You glance up toward the grand staircase just in time to catch Johnny leaning over the railing, mohawk styled hair highlighted under the chandelier like some unholy halo. He’s wearing a tight black shirt, Pussy devourer tight over the chest in white. Beside him, Simon lounges with a red solo cup in one hand and a cigarette tucked between his fingers. He doesn’t say anything, just watches you with that familiar, unreadable gaze, blonde hair a total sweaty mess.

Johnny grins, wolfish. “Come on up, sweetheart. VIP section’s missing its favorite guest.” You’re not sure when exactly you became their favorite. Maybe it was when you refused to fall for their games. Or maybe it was because when you did, they liked how much you tried to pretend otherwise.

You push past a couple making out against the wall and climb the stairs, feeling both their eyes on you the whole way. The room is at the end of the hall, door open, glowing faintly with warm lamp light and the haze of smoke curling in the air. Inside, it’s a mess of crumpled clothes, vinyl records, and mismatched furniture that somehow still works – Johnny’s bedroom. Johnny collapses onto the couch like a prince, one leg draped over the armrest.

“I was startin' to think you were avoiding us,” he muses, holding out a drink that glows a little too neon to be safe.

“I was,” you reply, taking it anyway. “Didn’t work.”

Simon’s fingers slip around your hips as he comes up behind you. “We missed you, darlin’,” he mutters, lips barely brushing over your ear, and Johnny watches with those deep blue eyes, legs spreading wider at the sight. They came as a package deal, best friends who love to share everything. Everyone knows they’re inseparable. Ride-or-die. One moves and the other follows after.