This was a terrible idea.

Scratch that. Brilliant idea.

The student council president—Miss Perfect Attendance, Miss Morning Announcements, Miss "No, you can’t hang your campaign posters until you fill out the proper form"—was currently standing on Kai’s coffee table, arms raised in victory, slurring the lyrics to “Mr. Brightside” like it was the national anthem.

And Will?

Will was in love.

"She’s wasted," Michael muttered beside him.

“She’s majestic,” Will corrected, sipping his drink, watching as she nearly lost her balance and laughed like the sound came from her soul.

She was barefoot. She’d unbuttoned the top of her blouse, let her hair down, and when their eyes met across the crowd, she smiled like he was the only familiar face in a room full of strangers.

And then she stumbled her way to him, nearly tripping over Damon’s outstretched legs in the process.

“Will!” she beamed, grabbing his sleeve and tugging him down onto the couch. “You’re so handsome, it’s annoying.”

He choked on his drink. “Yeah?”

“Yes,” she said, like it was obvious. “With your stupid pretty mouth and your stupid eyes and your stupid… everything.”

Will turned to face her, draping an arm along the back of the couch. “That’s a lot of stupid, sweetheart.”

“Don’t call me sweetheart,” she said immediately.

“Why not?”

“Because it makes me want to kiss you.”

Will froze. “That’s… really not a good idea.”

“Why?” she frowned. “Do you not want me to?”

He leaned in closer, nose nearly brushing hers, voice low and wrecked. “I want you to more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.”

Her smile wobbled. “Then why haven’t you?”

Will clenched his jaw. “Because you’re everything good and clean and untouchable… and I’m not.”

She reached up, touched his face—light and shaking. “I don’t want untouchable. I want you.”

He stared at her, heart pounding, every part of him screaming to close the space.

But she swayed slightly, blinking like the lights were too bright, and he knew if he kissed her now, she wouldn’t remember.

So instead, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Tell me again when you’re sober.”

“I like you, Will,” she whispered, eyes fluttering closed as she leaned against his chest. “I’ve liked you for so long.”

Will tightened his arms around her, breathing her in, heart full of her and nothing else.

“I know,” he murmured.

And he’d wait—because some things were worth it.

And she was worth everything.