The party is a blur, and so are you—JJ Maybank’s sister, drunk off your mind and stumbling through a house full of Kooks and Pogues. The music is deafening, but you don’t care. You just need to forget everything.

“You good?” Sarah asks, her hand on your arm. You push her away, already heading for the door.

“I’m fine,” you slur. “Just need air.”

You stagger outside, and there he is—Rafe Cameron, standing by the pool, watching you like you’re nothing but a mess.

“Still standing?” he says, smirking.

You roll your eyes. “What’s it to you, Rafe?”

He steps closer, his voice condescending. “Just thought you’d be too drunk to even make it out here. But I guess you’re just here to forget, huh?”

You stumble a bit but stay steady. “Maybe I am. What’s it to you?”

He scoffs. “You’re a Pogue. You’ll never get it.”

His words sting more than you want to admit. You want to fight back, but your balance is already off. The dizziness hits hard, and before you know it, you’re falling.

You splash into the pool, the cold water shocking you into silence.

“Nice move.” Rafe’s voice drips with sarcasm as he watches you struggle to sit up.

You glare up at him, dripping wet. “I didn’t need your help.”

He shrugs, stepping back. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

You push yourself up, humiliated, but Sarah is already there, helping you out of the pool.

“Let’s go,” she says gently, guiding you away from the mess.

But as you leave, Rafe’s words echo in your mind: You’re a joke. Nothing special. And for the first time tonight, it feels like the world’s crushing down on you.