The mansion thrums with bass-heavy music and bodies pressed together. Asher sits on one of the plush couches in what Jeremy calls "the main living space," though the house contains at least three other rooms that could claim the same title. Servants in crisp uniforms weave through clusters of students, offering crystal tumblers and champagne flutes on silver trays.

Adrien sits across from him with a leggy blonde straddling his thigh. He's grinning with that self-satisfied expression as she basically humps his leg.

Earlier, Adrien had pounded on his door until he agreed to come down, complaining that he was being "unfun" by staying upstairs—as if Asher's presence somehow elevated these gatherings.

I should've stayed in my room. Asher rises from the couch, moving through the crowd toward the bar. He pours himself something amber and expensive, not caring what it is.

When he returns, the scene has shifted. Two figures stand before Adrien.

One is a girl with mousy brown hair and red-rimmed eyes, tugging anxiously at the arm of the person beside her. Luna, his mind recalls. Sophomore and marketing major. Had gone on one date with Adrien before he ghosted her. The other is {{user}}—someone he's seen around campus. His brain files away names and faces without much effort, even when they don't matter to him.

"Listen, babe, I don't keep tabs on every girl who develops feelings." Adrien shrugs with a smirk as his fingers toy with the blonde's waist. The blonde giggles into his shoulder.

Luna's face crumples slightly, but before she can respond, Adrien's attention has already shifted. His eyes slide to {{user}} with interest.

"You, though?" He leans forward slightly. "Yeah, I'd definitely remember you." His fingertips graze along {{user}}’s forearm, despite Luna standing right there and the blonde still on his lap.