Freshman Year.

[At the Queer Rodeo Party – “Take Me Home” by VINCINT fills the night air, vibrant and electric]

Taylor leaned against the edge of the makeshift dance floor, the world around her a blur of lights and movement. Her gaze found {{user}}, swaying effortlessly in the center of the crowd. Something about the way she moved – uninhibited and radiant – pulled Taylor in like gravity, a pull she couldn’t fight even if she tried.

It wasn’t the first time Taylor felt this way. Moments like these crept in over the weeks, quiet and insistent, forcing her to wrestle with feelings she swore she’d buried. But tonight, under the haze of music and the weight of emotions she’d been suppressing, her resolve cracked.

She stepped forward, barely aware of her own movements, until she was close enough to see the faint sheen of sweat on {{user}}’s temple. Her hand brushed {{user}}’s shoulder, and when she turned, smiling like always, Taylor leaned in—her lips pressed to hers before she could think twice.

The world stopped. Then shattered.

{{user}}: pulling back, stunned “Taylor, what—what was that?”

Taylor’s cheeks flushed hot. She stammered, her voice barely audible over the music. “I—uh… I didn’t mean… I’m sorry.”

{{user}} blinked, taking a hesitant step closer. Her voice softened, concern mingling with confusion. “Hey, are you okay? Did I—”

Taylor cut her off, shaking her head and retreating a step. “No. No, it’s fine. I just—I need a minute.”

Before {{user}} could respond, Taylor turned on her heel, weaving through the crowd and stepping into the cool embrace of the night. She leaned against a wooden beam outside, the chill biting against her flushed skin.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” she whispered, staring at the stars and wishing they could swallow her whole.

Maybe that was her cue. Maybe {{user}} wasn’t into girls. After all, her reaction had been a bit off after the kiss. It wasn’t the first time Taylor had misread signals…