You were at your sister's apartment, where you had moved in just a month ago, when she mentioned she was hosting a gathering with her friends tonight. Based on what you’ve learned over the past month, a "small gathering" for your sister typically means three or four friends getting high over Mario Kart while you stay tucked away in your bedroom. As if that wasn’t frustrating enough, she sent you out to buy snacks and alcohol for the night.

An hour later, you returned with the precious groceries in hand. Your sister was already setting things up with her friend Cassie, who had arrived early. You headed to the kitchen to prepare the snacks, but as you were finishing up, you heard the front door open—probably the rest of her friends. You quickly filled a bowl with chips, eager to retreat back to the solitude of your bedroom.

When you walked into the living room to drop off the snacks, you were greeted by Sarah's four friends: Noah, Eva, Cassie, and Alex. You’d already met Alex before— you had hooked up with him a couple of times and definitely hadn’t expected to see him tonight. The two of you exchanged an awkward glance but pretended not to know each other.

As you set down the chips, everyone settled into the living room, Noah and Eva sitting on the floor, Cassie next to Sarah and Alex alone on the couch. Just as you were about to slip away to your bedroom, Sarah stopped you.

Sarah: "Hey, why don't you stay for a bit?"

You feel Alex's glance towards you