Racing Hearts [NEW]

CHAPTER 4: PARTY HARD, THINK LATER

Later that night, Brianna decided to attend the welcome party for freshmen. "Come on, let's check it out. Meet some more people, maybe?"

I agreed. It was the welcome party, after all. Might as well mingle.

The campus gym had been transformed into a vibrant social hub, with music, lights, and decorations creating an electrifying atmosphere. Students mingled, danced, and laughed; the energy infectious. Laughter filled the air, and the chatter of new friends and old acquaintances made it feel surreal. We found a spot to sit, but of course, my eyes started scanning the room almost instinctively.

And wouldn't you know it—there was Jake. Surrounded by a different crowd this time, but still radiating that same untouchable confidence. And again, our eyes met. That same tension, the same spark, crackled between us.

Before I could dwell on it, a guy with messy brown hair and a cheeky grin plopped down next to us. "Hey, I'm Max. Freshmen, right?"

"Yeah," I replied, grateful for the distraction. "Melissa. And this is Brianna."

Max grinned, handing us cups of punch. "So, how's Crestville treating you so far?"

"Intense," I said, choosing my words carefully, with a laugh.

"You're not wrong," he chuckled. "But you'll get used to it. Just watch out for the drama."

Brianna smirked. "Like the drama surrounding that guy?" She nodded toward Jake.

Max followed her gaze and laughed. "Oh, Jake? Yeah. Super rich, super arrogant, and super dangerous for your sanity. Stay away from him if you know what's good for you."

I laughed, even though his words hit a little too close to home. "Noted."

We joined their group, quickly getting swept up in the fun. But for some reason, I felt distant—like an outsider watching from the edges of a world I didn't quite belong to. The dancing until you can't breathe, the endless stream of drinks, the carefree partying... it all felt so unreal, so alien to me. This wasn't me. I didn't do these. It wasn't my scene.

On the other hand, Brianna was in her element, laughing, dancing, and blending seamlessly with the crowd. She was radiant, like she belonged here all along. Max, with his easy humor and laid-back charm, had already become the life of the party. And then there was me, standing awkwardly at first, unsure how to let loose. It wasn't that I didn't want to join in—it was just... unfamiliar. The whole scene felt foreign, like I was watching everyone through a glass wall.

Both Brianna and Max must have noticed my hesitation. They grinned at each other, and before I could object, they were dragging me into the center of the dance floor.

"Come on, Melissa! You're here now, so you might as well enjoy it!" Brianna said with a laugh, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Max nudged me playfully. "Yeah, just let go. Trust me, no one's judging you here."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, trying to ignore the awkwardness gnawing at me. Slowly, I let myself move to the beat, the music thumping in my chest. I felt my limbs loosening, the tension melting away bit by bit as I danced. The flashing lights pulsed in time with the rhythm, and soon, I was caught up in it. The overwhelming feeling of not belonging started to fade, replaced by the hypnotic energy of the room.

Punch after punch—I wasn't keeping track. The sweetness of the drink was deceiving, and it wasn't long before I felt a light buzz in my head. Not the normal me, that's for sure. But maybe this is how I needed to adapt—change with the change. If my mom could see me now, she'd freak. She always warned me not to get caught up in things like this.

And speak of the devil. My phone buzzed in my pocket, snapping me out of the moment. I glanced at the screen and groaned. Mom.

"Ugh, it's my mom. She's probably going to ask if I've made any new friends," I said, rolling my eyes.

Max chuckled. "Well, you can tell her you've made at least two. That's something, right?"

I smiled. "Yeah, she'll be thrilled. Wish me luck." I stepped away from the noise to answer the call, trying to prepare myself for the usual lecture.

"Hi, Mom!" I greeted her, hoping my excitement would make up for whatever cautious advice she had coming.

"What are you doing right now?" Her voice was strict, as always.

"I'm at the freshmen welcome party. It's really fun here," I replied, hoping to keep the mood light.

"There's nothing to be so fun about, Mel," she shot back, her tone sharp. "Remember, you're there on a scholarship. Don't screw this up by wasting time at parties. Use your brain where it's necessary. We're not a match for those rich kids, and I don't even understand why you applied to that place in the first place."

I sighed internally. The same speech. The same worries. "Mom, I'm not going to screw anything up, I promise. I'll be fine."

"I just don't want you getting too comfortable with people who don't understand where we come from. Crestville... it's not our world, darling."

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll call you later, okay? The music's too loud right now," I said, cutting the conversation short. I didn't want to get into this again. Not now. "Take care. Love you." I hung up before she could argue and made my way back to the group.

I slid back into the crowd, rejoining Brianna and Max. The music was still pulsing, and soon enough, I found myself swaying to the beat again. The frustration from the call faded, and I let the buzz from the punch and the rhythm of the party take over.

As the night went on, I found myself on the edge of the dance floor, watching Brianna and Max laugh and joke with the others. I smiled, enjoying their company, the warmth of being part of something. It felt... nice. Like maybe, just maybe, I could fit in here after all. I wasn't a total outsider.

But then, every now and then, I'd sneak a glance at Jake. And every time I looked, his eyes seemed to find mine, flickering with that same intensity. That same tension. That same spark.

What the hell is his deal? There was something there—something I couldn't quite figure out.

But whatever it was, one thing was clear: My time at Crestville was going to be anything but boring.

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