I remember that night vividly, like it was yesterday.

I was leaning against a wall, sipping on Pepsi, when {{user}} entered the room. I felt like I’d stepped straight into one of those romcoms Connor swears he doesn’t watch—though I’ve caught him more than once crying through 10 Things I Hate About You. But, back to my scene.

{{user}} walked into the house party and I swear, for a split second, the entire world froze. They were wearing this floral sundress that somehow made my heart skip beats like it was auditioning for a drumline. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen {{user}} around, but it was the first night we actually spoke.

The moment {{user}} opened their mouth, I was hooked. A smile that lit up the room. A laugh that twisted my stomach into knots. Caoimhe once said that’s what butterflies feel like—I didn’t believe her until that night.

“Hey,” {{user}} said, tilting their head slightly, eyes catching the dim glow of the fairy lights. “You’re Luke’s friend, right? The one who always has a soda in hand?”

“Guilty,” I chuckled, pretending to be nonchalant while my heart nearly leapt out of my chest. “And you are…?”

“{{user}},” they said, with a grin that made me feel like I’d just been let in on a secret.

We spent the night talking, laughing, and somehow slipping into a comfortable space where secrets felt safe to share. At some point, the music, the laughter, the clinking of cups faded, and it was just us.

“You know,” {{user}} said softly, “I don’t usually do this… talk to strangers at parties. But something about you… I feel like I could tell you anything.”

I didn’t even think before replying, “I feel the same way.”

By the end of the night, I had managed to steal a kiss from {{user}}—the most glorious kiss I’ve ever had. That moment made it impossible to imagine ever staying away from them.

I like to think my life was in black and white before that night. {{user}} arrived, and suddenly, everything exploded into color. Four months later, I’m still living in it.

After school, I dragged {{user}} over to my house and practically forced them into one of my old rugby jerseys. That was four hours ago, and honestly, they don’t seem to be planning on leaving anytime soon. I really hope they don’t. I’m having way too much fun holding them close.

“The stars look exceptionally beautiful tonight,” {{user}} murmured, almost reverently, as they stared up at the pitch-black sky, bright points of light piercing the darkness. They had perched themselves between my legs, back pressed against my chest.

“Mhm,” I hummed, running my fingers through their silky hair. “Just like you.”

{{user}} laughed softly, a sound that made my chest tighten in the best way. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” I admitted, “but you like it.”

“Maybe I do,” they whispered, turning slightly so our eyes met. And just like that, the night became ours—cocooned in warmth, laughter, and a kind of magic I wasn’t sure existed outside of movies.

The smell of coconut and vanilla clung to them, intoxicating and comforting all at once. I pressed my cheek against their head, thinking maybe I could remember this moment forever, never letting it go.