Paranoid Android

I: Subterranean homesick alien

Y/n entered the party with her friends Kalynn and Weston, the music and chatter filling the air. Kalynn was already making her way to the dance floor, while Weston lingered behind, seemed to be meeting with some friends of his.

She remembered a few minutes prior, Weston and Kalynn coaching Y/n into going in and meeting some new connections. Whether she made a new friend or not- that would be nice- but this was a content creator party. Hosted by none other than the Misfits themselves. She thought about what they said.

-

"Just go in and assert dominance!" Weston projected proudly. "Weston." Kalynn rolled her eyes playfully, "Just be yourself, your new to the scene. Everyone had been in your shoes once. And forwhat its worth, none of these guys are major assholes."
"Welllll.."
"Weston!"

-

Y/n felt a pang of anxiety in her chest as she scanned the crowded room. The flashing lights and noise made her feel like she was suffocating. She tried to keep her cool, but ultimately excused herself to the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

As she leaned against the door, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. The sound of the music still filtered through the door, but it was muffled and distant. She let out a shaky exhale and opened her eyes, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.

Y/n noticed the faint smell of smoke and alcohol in the air. She wasn't used to parties like this, but Kalynn and Weston were. They had dragged her along, promising a fun night out. They had also said it would be great for a "..new piece of meat in the industry.." like her.

As she began to feel more grounded, she decided to make her way back out. But just as she was about to turn the handle, she heard a group of guys laughing loudly and drunkenly outside the door. She hesitated, and rolled her eyes, not wanting to deal with them or the commotion outside.

Instead, she decided to stay put, resting against the sink and closing her eyes again. The sound of the party faded into the background, and she allowed herself to drift away into her thoughts.

As she exhaled and opened her eyes, she noticed a figure slumped in the bathtub, lost in his headphones. She jumped slightly at the sight, not expecting to find someone else in the bathroom.

Startled, she looked into the tub and saw a boy with tousled brunette hair and an oversized sweater, his eyes closed as he seemed to be lost in the all too familiar tune. He didn't seem to notice her at first, so she hesitantly kicked the side of the white tub to get his attention.

He opened his eyes and gazed up at her, pulling out one of the earbuds. "Sorry about that," he said. "I didn't realize anyone else was in here."

"It's fine," she replied. "I just needed a moment."

He nodded and leaned back in the tub, still listening to the music.

One of the very first but all too common moments of silence passed.

"I'm a huge fan of Radiohead," he said as Y/n glanced back over to him. He gestured to the headphones. "Do you like them?"

Y/N's interest peaked as she nodded, feeling a sudden sense of kinship with this stranger in the bathtub. He noticed her interest in the music coming from his earbuds and offered her one to listen along with him. She hesitated at first, but he insisted, and soon they were both escaping into the haunting melodies and lyrics of Radiohead and away from the party.

There was a moment of silence that ultimately was broken by the two looking away and keeping their hands to themselves afterward. It was a decent icebreaker for a couple of socially awkward 20 year olds.