HIM

1.

Leila Wilson stood awkwardly in Grace's room, tugging at the hem of her oversized shirt, hoping to avoid the inevitable critique. She was comfortable in her ripped jeans and loose top, but Grace had other plans.

"There's no way you're wearing that to the party," Grace declared, hands on her hips as she surveyed Leila's outfit with a disapproving look.
"What's wrong with this?" Leila asked, glancing down at herself.

Grace rolled her eyes and started rummaging through her closet, tossing various items onto the bed. "Everything. It's a university party, Leila. You can't go looking like you just rolled out of bed."
Leila sighed, but knew better than to argue. Grace's fashion sense was sharp, and if anyone knew how to make an entrance, it was her. "Fine, but nothing too crazy."

Grace smirked, holding up a tight black mini skirt and a long-sleeve shirt with black mesh sleeves. "This is perfect."
Leila hesitated but took the clothes, knowing there was no point in resisting. "This is so not me," she muttered as she changed.

"You'll look amazing, trust me," Grace reassured her as she added some accessories to the pile. As Leila adjusted to her new outfit, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Grace called, not taking her eyes off the clothes she was still sorting through.

The door opened, and Grace's dad, dressed in his police uniform, stepped inside. "Just checking in on you two. I'm headed to work, but you need to be home by one in the morning., at the very latest. If not, I'll come get you in the squad car."
"Dad!" Grace whined, turning to face him. "We'll be back before then, I promise. You don't need to embarrass me."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "I'm serious, Grace. If anything happens, you call me. Understood?"
"Yes, yes, we get it. Now, can you please leave? We're trying to get ready," Grace said, shooing him away and closing the door behind him. She rolled her eyes dramatically as she walked over to her stereo and cranked up "I Would Hate Me Too" by TX2, the loud music filling the room.

Leila smiled, shaking her head at the father-daughter dynamic. "Your dad's really protective, huh?"
Grace shrugged, applying some finishing touches to her makeup. "He's just doing his job. Besides, it's not like anything's going to happen. We'll be fine."

The girls stepped into the house, the heavy bass of the music pounding through the walls and vibrating in Leila's chest. The atmosphere was electric, with people everywhere, dancing, talking, and generally having a good time.

Leila, feeling the pressure of the party, adjusted her tight skirt, feeling exposed compared to her usual attire. She glanced around at the other girls, their outfits more revealing, their confidence evident. Grace had done her best to dress Leila up, but it was clear she didn't quite blend in.
Grace, however, was unfazed. "Relax, Leila," she said, sensing her friend's discomfort. "It's fine. We belong here just as much as anyone else."

Leila wasn't so sure. "Are you sure we should be here? It feels like everyone knows we're not from this uni."
Grace waved off her concerns. "It's all good. We're here to have fun. And who knows, maybe you'll meet someone tonight. Loosen up a bit!"
Leila bit her lip, still unsure. "Who invited you, anyway?"
"A mutual friend mentioned the party," Grace replied casually.
Leila frowned. "So, we weren't actually invited?"
Grace laughed, pulling her friend further into the crowd. "It's an open party, Leila. Anyone can show up. Now, let's get you a drink and calm those nerves."
Leila couldn't help but laugh, despite her anxiety. "Okay, okay. Maybe a drink will help."

As they made their way to the makeshift bar, Grace nudged Leila playfully. "And who knows? Maybe you'll find yourself a hot, older boyfriend tonight."
Leila rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah, right. Let's just focus on surviving the night first."
Jesci lounged in an outdoor chair by the pool, a cigarette in one hand and a glass of straight liquor in the other.

The smoke curled lazily into the night air as he swirled the amber liquid around the glass, contemplating his next sip. His friends stood around him, their chatter filling the space, but Jesci was miles away, unfazed and uninterested by their trivial problems. His mind wandered to a life that felt perpetually dull, where bad luck seemed to shadow every step he took. The only constants were his job and his studies—solid, reliable, and free of the mess that seemed to plague everything else.

As he took a drag from his cigarette, a high-pitched, irritable voice pierced through his thoughts.
"Jesci? Are you even listening to me?" Macy's shrill tone broke his reverie.
A sigh escaped his lips. Macy... What was there to say about Macy? What had started as a one-night stand had morphed into something more—though not by his choice. Friends with benefits, sure, but Macy seemed to think it meant more. She acted like she had some claim over him, as if those late-night texts gave her rights to his time and attention.

"No, Macy, I was trying not to," Jesci replied bluntly, taking another sip of his drink. His voice carried a flat tone, the kind that told her he wasn't interested in whatever she had to say.

Macy's face twisted into a scowl, clearly not expecting his dismissive response. Instead of lashing out, she turned on her heels and stormed back inside, her little group of friends trailing after her like a flock of obedient sheep.
"Bit harsh, man," said Dane, one of Jesci's friends, as he dropped into the seat next to him.
"Her voice was annoying me," Jesci replied, taking another puff of his cigarette.
Dane shook his head, his gaze fixed on Macy's retreating figure. "Macy's like the hottest girl on campus, and you're treating her like shit. Look at that ass, man. Look at it walking away from you."
Jesci remained unbothered, his expression unreadable behind the smoke. "If you think she's so great, why don't you go fuck her?"
Dane raised an eyebrow, surprised by the offer. "Seriously?"
"All yours, man," Jesci said, shrugging.
Dane grinned and quickly got to his feet, making his way after Macy with a spring in his step. Jesci smirked as he leaned back in the pool chair, sliding his sunglasses onto his face. He took a long drag from his cigarette before flicking it into the pool with a practiced flick of his wrist.

He knew Macy wouldn't touch Dane with a ten-foot pole, but the thought of his "friend" trying was amusing enough. He wanted Macy to lose interest in him, his patience wearing thin, her clinginess and demanding nature was becoming more than he could handle.

Jesci lifted his glass to his lips for another sip, but something caught his eye. Two people, both girls, had wandered into the pool area. They looked out of place, and he was certain he'd never seen them before. He slid his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose, watching carefully as they found a seat by the sliding door that led out to the pool.

"Interesting," Jesci murmured to himself, sliding his sunglasses back up as he laid back in his chair once more. He made a mental note to check in on those two later in the night. Something about them intrigued him, and Jesci never ignored his instincts.