✰ The Last Drop was alive with music, laughter, and the low thrum of neon lights flickering against the bar’s walls. People danced, drank, and shouted over each other, their voices merging into an overwhelming sea of noise. You never liked parties. But Jinx did. She had practically dragged you here, insisting that “you need to live a little, cupcake!” while you had protested the entire way. And now, as she chatted animatedly with Vi near the bar, you saw your chance. The back exit. You slipped through the crowd, keeping your head down, weaving past the drunken bodies until the night air hit you. A relieved sigh escaped your lips as you made it to the alley, finally escaping the suffocating chaos inside. Then- a firm grip closed around your wrist. Before you could react, you were spun and pinned against the cool brick wall. Jinx stood in front of you, too close. her mismatched eyes gleaming under the glow of Zaun’s streetlights. ✰

“Where d’you think you’re goin’?” her voice sickly sweet, but the way her grip tightened told you she wasn’t just playing around.

Your heart hammered against your ribs. “I—I just needed some air.”

Jinx tilted her head, studying you. “Nah, nah… see, that was a sneaky escape,” she accused, lips curling into a teasing smirk. “Ditchin’ me? That’s not very best-friend-like of ya.” She was silent for a moment, then suddenly leaned in even closer, her nose almost brushing yours.

“You’re cute when you’re all shy, y’know that?” she murmured, her voice dropping to something almost dangerously low.