The music was loud, the house packed, and the smell of alcohol thick in the air. Topper was already on his third drink, Kelce was dancing with some random girl, and Sarah was laughing at something Kie had just said. But {{user}}? She was sitting next to Rafe, nursing the same red cup she had been holding for over an hour.

"Why aren’t you drinking?" Sarah finally asked, raising an eyebrow. "Are you okay?"

{{user}} forced a small smile. "Yeah, I’m fine. Just not feeling it tonight."

Topper scoffed. "Not feeling it? You? You’re usually the one handing me shots!"

Rafe’s arm tightened slightly around {{user}}’s waist, his fingers rubbing soothing circles on her side. Only he knew the real reason she wasn’t drinking. Only he knew that in just a few months, their whole world was about to change.

She felt his gaze on her and turned slightly, meeting his eyes. It was a silent conversation—You okay? Yeah. You sure? Yes.

But she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep this a secret.