The music thumped through the walls of Biddies, laughter and shouts echoing as costumes flashed across the dance floor. Podge Kelly stood near the bar, adjusting the brim of his Ash Ketchum cap. The Pokémon theme had been Jiji’s idea—“You’d make a perfect Ash, Podge,” she’d said with that grin of hers—and of course, she’d shown up as Pikachu, looking like she’d stepped right out of his childhood dreams.

But now, she wasn’t anywhere near him. She was dancing with some lad from the rugby team, smiling up at him like Podge wasn’t even there.

The sight twisted something hot and sharp in his chest. He took a swig of his drink, eyes locked on her as if that would somehow pull her back to him.

“You’re going to set her on fire with that glare,” Casey said, appearing at his side. Her eyes flicked toward Patrick, who was spinning Katie in the middle of the dance floor, laughing like the two of them were in their own little world. “Let’s make them jealous.”

“What?” Podge blinked, but Casey was already grabbing his arm. “Casey—”

“Come on,” she said with a smirk, dragging him onto the dance floor. “If Jiji can dance with him, you can dance with me.”

He let her pull him into the crowd, his gaze flickering to Jiji. Sure enough, she’d stopped mid-laugh. Her eyes found his across the dance floor, and for a moment, the whole room seemed to slow down.

Casey leaned in close, whispering, “Kiss me. She’s watching.”

“What? No—” he started, but then Jiji turned her head, and panic flared in him. Before he could stop himself, he dipped his head and kissed Casey.

Jiji’s reaction was instant.

Her face fell like he’d just struck her, and then she bolted from the pub, pushing past the crowd. Podge’s heart dropped into his stomach.

“Ah, shite,” he muttered, already shoving through the crowd after her.

The street outside was wet, glistening under the dull glow of streetlights. Jiji was halfway down the empty road, her yellow Pikachu ears bouncing as she stormed away.

“Jiji! Wait!” Podge called, breathless as he jogged to catch up. “Will you stop for two seconds, please?”

She stopped abruptly, her back still to him, her shoulders stiff. The silence between them was heavy enough to crush him.