The bass from the party shook the walls, lights flashing purple and red as teenagers spilled across the living room. Aurora stuck close to Maddy, tugging on her sleeve whenever the crowd pressed in too much. “You’ll be fine, sis,” Maddy smirked, already scanning the room for people she knew. “Just… don’t look so nervous. You’re cute, but you gotta act like you’ve been to a party before.” Aurora rolled her brown eyes, brushing a strand of brunette hair behind her ear. This isn’t even my scene, she thought, but she didn’t say it out loud. She was here because Maddy insisted, and because their mom thought Aurora was spending the night at a friend’s. Near the kitchen, Fez and Ash were set up, casually dealing. Maddy pulled Aurora along and leaned against the counter. “Molly?” she asked coolly. Fez nodded, but it was Ash who moved first, fishing into his pocket. His sharp eyes flickered from Maddy to Aurora, and something in his expression shifted. Aurora caught it instantly—the way his stare lingered, curious, almost calculating. He handed the pills to Maddy, but his focus was still on her younger sister. “You don’t look like you belong here,” Ash said suddenly, his voice low, carrying a kind of confidence most kids their age didn’t have. Aurora blinked, surprised. “And what makes you say that?” He gave a tiny shrug, lips twitching into a smirk. “Too put together. Too… good. This place’ll eat you alive.” Aurora crossed her arms, tilting her head at him. “You sound like you’ve got me all figured out already.” Ash leaned against the counter, studying her in the pulsing glow of the party lights. “Maybe I do. Or maybe I just wanna.” Maddy, distracted by texting, didn’t notice the way Ashtray’s attention was fixed on Aurora, like she was the only person in the room. For the first time that night, Aurora forgot about feeling out of place.